Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPanthenol, Saccharide isomerate + 2 moreStrong evidence
“Utilising moisture-lock technology, the hydrating tan creates long lasting results, as well as alleviating the visible signs of ageing to leave skin visibly rejuvenated.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": saccharide isomerate, propylene glycol.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingAloe barbadensis leaf juice, Retinyl palmitateLimited evidence
“Utilising moisture-lock technology, the hydrating tan creates long lasting results, as well as alleviating the visible signs of ageing to leave skin visibly rejuvenated.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
Anti-blemishAloe barbadensis leaf juice, Retinyl palmitateWeak evidence
“No need to clog pores with any other products.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Dmdm hydantoin, Retinyl palmitate + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Dihydroxyacetone~4.9–7.4%
Propylene glycol~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolIsopentyldiol~2.8–4.2%
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~2.1–3.1%
- 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 copolymerEthoxydiglycol~1.6–2.4%
Saccharide isomerate~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomeratePolyisobutene~1.3–2%
Dmdm hydantoin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
More about Dmdm hydantoinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juicePeg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether~0.55–1.25%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPanthenol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.85%
- 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 acetateSorbitan isostearate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateRetinyl palmitate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateArachis hypogaea oil~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCitric acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.15–0.5%
- 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 citrateBha~0.1–0.45%
Bht~0.1–0.4%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.35%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.1–0.3%
Ci 19140~0.05–0.25%
Ci 16035~0.05–0.2%
Ci 42090~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene glycol, Isopentyldiol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Ethoxydiglycol, Saccharide isomerate, Polyisobutene, Dmdm hydantoin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Peg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Panthenol, Tocopheryl acetate, Sorbitan isostearate, Retinyl palmitate, Arachis hypogaea oil, Parfum, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Bha, Bht, Potassium sorbate, Hexyl cinnamal, Ci 19140, Ci 16035, Ci 42090
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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.
| He-ShiFace and Body Tanning GelYOUR PRODUCT | ClarinsBust Beauty Extra Lift Gel | TulaAqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream | BentonCica Gel Sunscreen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 60% | 59% |
| Price | $16.08 | $72.00+$55.92 | — | $22.80+$6.72 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Oatmeal Extract | Gluconolactone | Madecassic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "He-Shi - Face and Body Tanning Gel" can work well for skin moisturization.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.30% - 0.70%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.40% - 0.90%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 9.12£ up to 18.50£ in the United Kingdom, for 18.50$ in the United States and for 21.10CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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