Hourglass Equilibrium Restorative Hydrating Cream
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“It also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.Formulated with Hourglass's Cell Balancing Complex, this cream contains a combination of phospholipids and prolipids that help to restore the skin barrier.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Moisturizing15 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Equilibrium Restorative Hydrating Cream”
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:
diglycerin, glycerin.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“It also contains niacinamide to even the skin tone and protect against pollution and blue light.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.3–9.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideGlycerin~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 GlycerinButylene glycol~2.8–4.2%
- 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 glycolDipentaerythrityl hexahydroxystearate/hexastearate/hexarosinate~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrogenated rapeseed alcohol~1.8–2.7%
Niacinamide~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePentylene glycol~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSqualane~1.1–1.7%
- 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 SqualanePolyglyceryl-10 stearate~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and softens the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-10 stearatePhytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A mix of amino acids and plant-based lipids. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss over time
More about Phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamateBehenyl alcohol~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateGlyceryl glucoside~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer
More about Glyceryl glucosideDiglycerin~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DiglycerinPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolXanthan gum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopherol~0.1–0.5%
- 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 TocopherolSodium citrate~0.1–0.35%
- 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 citrateSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateCitric acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPhospholipids~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsLecithin~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Dipentaerythrityl hexahydroxystearate/hexastearate/hexarosinate, Hydrogenated rapeseed alcohol, Niacinamide, Pentylene glycol, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-10 stearate, Phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, Behenyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Glyceryl glucoside, Diglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol, Sodium citrate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Citric acid, Phospholipids, Lecithin
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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.
| HourglassEquilibrium Restorative Hydrating CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Versed SkinDaily Recovery Rich Barrier Cream | BonjourGreen Tea Water Bomb Cream | Shani Darden Skin CareHydration Peptide Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 88% | 88% |
| Price | $94.00 | $19.99−$74.01 | $16.00−$78.00 | $60.00−$34.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Sh-Octapeptide-4 | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Hourglass - Equilibrium Restorative Hydrating Cream" can work well for skin moisturization. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Diglycerin, glycerin, glyceryl glucoside and butylene glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane, glyceryl stearate and pentylene glycol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (1.50% - 2.30%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Hourglass" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 94.00$ up to 130.00$ in the United States, from 90.00£ up to 125.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 173.00CA$ 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.
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