Works for
MoisturizingCeramide ng, Squalane + 12 moreWorks well
“A nourishing & intensely hydrating, yet lightweight cream that spreads gorgeously and leaves the skin moisturized and silky soft.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, saccharide isomerate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: simmondsia chinensis seed oil, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ng
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Squalene + 3 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract, squalene) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Squalane~5.2–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneGlycerin~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinDicaprylyl carbonate~2.9–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateJojoba oil/macadamia seed oil esters~2.2–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearateButylene glycol~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCetearyl alcohol~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSaccharide isomerate~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractBisabolol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololAllantoin~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCeramide ng~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide ngSqualene~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
More about SqualenePhytosteryl macadamiate~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Phytosteryl macadamiatePhytosterols~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function
More about PhytosterolsTocopherol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateCitric acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Jojoba oil/macadamia seed oil esters, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Butylene glycol, Cetearyl alcohol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Saccharide isomerate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Ceramide ng, Squalene, Phytosteryl macadamiate, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetate, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Geek GorgeousHappier BarrierYOUR PRODUCT | Geek GorgeousHappier Barrier Moisturiser 50ml | EpicurenHydro Plus Moisturizer | RoC SkincareBarrier Renew Night Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 68% | 54% | 54% |
| Price | — | $15.41 | $67.10 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 11 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | — | Anhydroxylitol | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Shani Darden Skin Care Hydration Peptide CreamDr.Select Huma-Stemells Seven After Cream
Product summary
"Geek & Gorgeous 101 - Happier Barrier" is effective for: Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- Ceramides (ceramide ng 0.45% - 1.05%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- In addition, this product contains Allantoin (0.45% - 1.05%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
- Humectants (glycerin 2.80% - 4.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Squalene and its potential clinical useseuropepmc.org
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