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ilapothecary Save Face Serum
ilapothecary

ilapothecary Save Face Serum

Efficacy62/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Argania spinosa kernel oil, Cetearyl alcohol + 9 more
Works
What the product description says
“Envelope your skin in nourishing moisture with the Ilapothecary Save Face Serum.”
Source: Lookfantastic Australia

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: hyaluronic acid.

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: argania spinosa kernel oil, opuntia ficus-indica seed oil.

Argania spinosa kernel oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties~6.4–7.8%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~2–2.4%
Opuntia ficus-indica seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin's barrier function due to its high content of linoleic acid. It also has anti-microbial properties~0.7–1.1%
Hyaluronic acidKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation~0.4–0.6%
Octyldodecyl myristateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.5%
Moringa oleifera seed oil· EmollientEffect: LowA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid~4.4–5.4%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~2.4–2.9%
Tribehenin· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin~1.2–1.5%
Glyceryl caprylate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products~0.55–0.85%
Rosa canina fruit oilUnder-dosedA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating~0.5–0.75%
Laminaria digitata extractUnder-dosedSeaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment~0.25–0.45%
Anti-aging
Hyaluronic acid, Malachite extract + 1 more
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Malachite helps regenerate and detoxify the skin, Hyaluronic Acid radiantly hydrates and makes the skin look firmer, Ginseng Stem Cells are known to promote skin rejuvenation and improve the epidermis, and Moringa thanks to its antioxidants and vitamins, helps to protect the skin from free radicals and skin tissue damage.”
Source: Lookfantastic US

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.This ingredient - hyaluronic acid - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.

Hyaluronic acidEffect: LowOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation~0.4–0.6%
Malachite extractEffect: LowA mineral that is claimed to be able to support collagen product in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is missing~0.3–0.6%
Laminaria digitata extractEffect: Low, below effective doseSeaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment~0.25–0.45%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Lavandula angustifolia oil, Salvia sclarea oil + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
P-anisic acidHelps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritatingHigh~0.55–0.85%est.
Calendula officinalis extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skinHigh~0.4–0.65%est.
Lavandula angustifolia oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.2–0.35%est.
Salvia sclarea oil—High~0.15–0.3%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.1–0.15%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Argania spinosa kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~6.4–7.8%est.
Moringa oleifera seed oilA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acidMedium~4.4–5.4%est.
Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 estersHelp oil and water mix togetherMedium~2.7–3.3%est.
Sodium stearoyl lactylateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.7–2%est.
Glyceryl behenateUsed to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~1–1.2%est.
Opuntia ficus-indica seed oilA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin's barrier function due to its high content of linoleic acid. It also has anti-microbial propertiesMedium~0.7–1.1%est.
Rosa canina fruit oilA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritatingMedium~0.5–0.75%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Laminaria digitata extractSeaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment3/5~0.25–0.45%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~2–2.4%est.
Alternatives
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Harmonie
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Water Slide
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$14.03
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Argania spinosa kernel oil~6.4–7.8%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties

More about Argania spinosa kernel oil
Moringa oleifera seed oil~4.4–5.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid

More about Moringa oleifera seed oil
Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters~2.7–3.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Help oil and water mix together

More about Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters
Glyceryl stearate~2.4–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Cetearyl alcohol~2–2.4%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Sodium stearoyl lactylate~1.7–2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium stearoyl lactylate
Glyceryl dibehenate~1.5–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Glyceryl dibehenate
Tribehenin~1.2–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Tribehenin
Glyceryl behenate~1–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Glyceryl behenate
Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil~0.7–1.1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin's barrier function due to its high content of linoleic acid. It also has anti-microbial properties

More about Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil
P-anisic acid~0.55–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating

More about P-anisic acid
Glyceryl caprylate~0.55–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products

More about Glyceryl caprylate
Rosa canina fruit oil~0.5–0.75%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating

More about Rosa canina fruit oil
Calendula officinalis extract~0.4–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Calendula officinalis extract
Hyaluronic acid~0.4–0.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation

More about Hyaluronic acid
Xanthan gum~0.4–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Water~0.3–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Malachite extract~0.3–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-aging

A mineral that is claimed to be able to support collagen product in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is missing

More about Malachite extract
Panax ginseng leaf cell extract~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Panax ginseng leaf cell extract
Laminaria digitata extract~0.25–0.45%
Under-dosedComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment

More about Laminaria digitata extract
Octyldodecyl myristate~0.25–0.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Octyldodecyl myristate
Capparis spinosa fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Capparis spinosa fruit extract
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Lavandula angustifolia oil
Salvia sclarea oil~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Salvia sclarea oil
Rna~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Rna
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Linalool~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ingredient list view

Water, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Glyceryl dibehenate, Tribehenin, Glyceryl behenate, Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil, P-anisic acid, Glyceryl caprylate, Rosa canina fruit oil, Calendula officinalis extract, Hyaluronic acid, Xanthan gum, Water, Malachite extract, Panax ginseng leaf cell extract, Laminaria digitata extract, Octyldodecyl myristate, Capparis spinosa fruit extract, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Salvia sclarea oil, Rna, Limonene, Linalool

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/12 18:08 GMT
$11.82
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
ilapothecarySave Face SerumYOUR PRODUCTIla SpaCBD Gold Face SerumKLARA ROTTHarmonieBubble SkincareWater Slide
Match—61%56%52%
Price$11.82$80.39+$68.57—$14.03+$2.21
Shared key ingredients—1 of 42 of 41 of 4
Key difference——PanthenolNiacinamide
Irritancy High High Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Natural vegetable fats in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Moringa oleifera seed oil: Composition, nutritional aspects and health attributesresearchgate.net
  3. 3
    Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    The Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Potential of Opuntia ficus indica L. inermis Extracted Oil from Tunisiancbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Allergic contact dermatitis due to Opuntia ficus‐indica var. sabotenpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Sodium anisateecha.europa.eu
ilapothecary Save Face Serum
ilapothecarySave Face Serum
Buy on Amazon$11.82 · as of 11/12 18:08 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy on Amazon$11.82 · as of 11/12 18:08 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.