This product contains acids (gluconolactone 0.55% - 1.25%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). PHAs (gluconolactone) especially are great for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.05% - 0.30%, glycerin 0.45% - 1.05% and calcium pca 1.60% - 2.40%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Hourglass" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

Price

The product retails for 65.00$ in the United States and from 64.00£ up to 454.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Works for

Moisturizing

Does not work for

Anti-aging

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Key Benefits Helps to restore and renew the skin’s barrierInfused with ingredients that boost and lock-in moisture for plumped, hydrated skinKey ingredients include a powerful blend of lipids to promote a youthful appearanceCan be used under skincare products and makeupA vegan, cruelty-free and alcohol-free formula UK300056885

Source: SpaceNK

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": calcium pca, glycerin.

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).

glycerin 0.45% - 1.05%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

calcium pca 1.6% - 2.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

phosphatidylglycerol 0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. It might help reduce inflammation and support the barrier function. This compound is naturally present in animal and plant tissue

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Protect, restore and balance the skin in one step with the Hourglass Equilibrium Restoring Essence, a skincare treatment formulated with the Hourglass Cell Balancing Complex, which provides a powerful blend of lipids to promote a more youthful appearance while renewing the skin barrier.

Source: SpaceNK

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

gluconolactone 0.55% - 1.25%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

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Can it cause trouble?

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

gluconolactone 0.55% - 1.25%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Exfoliation, Evens skin tone, Anti-oxidation, Anti-blemish

alteromonas ferment extract 2.8% - 4.2%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

A marine extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It is claimed to have anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking

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Potential irritants

pentylene glycol 3.5% - 5.3%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

citric acid 1.1% - 1.6%

Irritation risk:

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

Comodogenic ingredients

We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product

All ingredients

water 40% - 60%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

butylene glycol 5.6% - 8.4%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

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

pentylene glycol 3.5% - 5.3%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

Ingredient list view

Water, Butylene glycol, Pentylene glycol, Alteromonas ferment extract, Calcium gluconate, Calcium pca, Capryloyl glycine, Citric acid, Ectoin, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Hydroxyectoin, Lecithin, Phosphatidylglycerol, Sodium citrate, Sodium hyaluronate, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate

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Price
WIMJ similarity score		48%	47%	47%	45%	44%	40%	39%	39%	39%	38%
Key ingredients	gluconolactone calcium pca +5 more	Common: gluconolactone calcium pca +5 more Other:	Common: gluconolactone glycerin +1 more Other: camellia sinensis leaf extract chondrus crispus extract +1 more	Common: glycerin sodium hyaluronate Other: alpha-glucan oligosaccharide inulin	Common: gluconolactone sodium hyaluronate Other:	Common: gluconolactone glycerin Other:	Common: gluconolactone sodium hyaluronate +1 more Other: palmitoyl tripeptide-5 panthenol +3 more	Common: gluconolactone glycerin +1 more Other: paraffinum liquidum urea +6 more	Common: glycerin sodium hyaluronate Other: anhydroxylitol xylitylglucoside	Common: gluconolactone sodium hyaluronate +1 more Other: glycolic acid algae extract +2 more	Common: gluconolactone sodium hyaluronate +1 more Other: niacinamide lactic acid +6 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY HIGH
Potential Irritants	sodium citrate Has skin benefit? gluconolactone Has skin benefit? +2 more	sodium citrate Has skin benefit? gluconolactone Has skin benefit? +2 more	phenethyl alcohol Has skin benefit? gluconolactone Has skin benefit? +2 more	gluconolactone Has skin benefit? peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil Has skin benefit? +1 more	buddleja officinalis flower extract Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +3 more	hydrolyzed opuntia ficus-indica flower extract Has skin benefit? potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? +6 more	limonene Has skin benefit? chamomilla recutita flower extract Has skin benefit? +14 more	rosa damascena extract Has skin benefit? lavandula angustifolia oil Has skin benefit? +26 more	citral Has skin benefit? linalool Has skin benefit? +13 more	ci 19140 Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +13 more	prunus persica fruit extract Has skin benefit? gardenia florida fruit extract Has skin benefit? +25 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? butylene glycol Has skin benefit? +17 more	water Has skin benefit? butylene glycol Has skin benefit? +17 more	water Has skin benefit? aloe barbadensis leaf powder Has skin benefit? +10 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +8 more	water Has skin benefit? sodium citrate Has skin benefit? +9 more	water Has skin benefit? gluconolactone Has skin benefit? +11 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +51 more	water Has skin benefit? rosa damascena flower water Has skin benefit? +26 more	water Has skin benefit? alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? +23 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +46 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Hourglass EQUILIBRIUM™ Restoring Essence

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

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Product summary

Ingredient callouts

About the brand

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Honesty check

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Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

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