Institut Esthederm Pore Refiner Concentrate
Works for
Anti-agingCreatine, Carnosine + 2 moreMay help
“TCS TIME CONTROL SYSTEM Helps to slow down premature ageing factors.”
This product contains carnosine, creatine. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Anti-blemishGinkgo biloba leaf extractNot delivered
“Dilated pores are tightened, blemishes gradually disappear and stay gone with the Institut Esthederm Pure System Pore Refiner Concentrate.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Creatine, Superoxide dismutase + 5 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (carnosine, superoxide dismutase) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - creatine, ginkgo biloba leaf extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone + 10 moreWorks
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:
algae extract, carnosine.
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: dimethicone, algae extract.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium 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~45–55%
Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer~5.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerDipropylene glycol~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolCyclopentasiloxane~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneCyclohexasiloxane~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneDimethicone~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeGlycerin~1.8–2.1%
- 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~1.5–1.8%
- 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 glycolFomes officinalis extract~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fungus extract that can help to create a temporary tightening feeling on the skin
More about Fomes officinalis extractTocopheryl acetate~1–1.2%
- 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 acetateCandida bombicola/glucose/methyl rapeseedate ferment~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps water and oil mix together and preserve the product formulation
More about Candida bombicola/glucose/methyl rapeseedate fermentAscorbyl methylsilanol pectinate~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of pectin and vitamin C. It might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is lacking. Helps create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinateCreatine~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can support skin's ability to neutralize free radicals and produce collagen, though further research is needed to confirm effectiveness
More about CreatineMorus alba leaf extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Laminaria saccharina extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
More about Laminaria saccharina extractSuperoxide dismutase~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An antioxidant enzyme that is naturally present in skin. It can help support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin. It is used in topical medications for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. There are three types of natural Superoxide Dismutase in human skin. The compound used in topical treatments and cosmetics are mimics of typically one of these natural variants
More about Superoxide dismutaseGinkgo biloba leaf extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in skin. It can be irritating
More about Ginkgo biloba leaf extractCarnosine~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
More about CarnosineAlgae extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractDisodium adenosine triphosphate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pyrus malus fruit extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractDodecyl gallate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium polyacrylate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateSilica~0.45–0.7%
Propylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 glycolC30-45 alkyl cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to create a nice silky product texture
More about C30-45 alkyl cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymerLauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. It might be irritating for some people
More about Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methiconeTrideceth-6~0.3–0.55%
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeDisodium edta~0.25–0.5%
Sodium hydroxide~0.25–0.5%
Bht~0.25–0.45%
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumWater~0.15–0.25%
Disodium adenosine triphosphate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carnosine~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
More about CarnosineMineral salts~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicked product formulations. Might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin
More about Mineral saltsIngredient list view
Water, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Dipropylene glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Fomes officinalis extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Candida bombicola/glucose/methyl rapeseedate ferment, Ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, Creatine, Morus alba leaf extract, Laminaria saccharina extract, Superoxide dismutase, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Carnosine, Algae extract, Disodium adenosine triphosphate, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Dodecyl gallate, Sodium polyacrylate, Silica, Propylene glycol, C30-45 alkyl cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone, Trideceth-6, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Bht, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Unknown, Water, Disodium adenosine triphosphate, Carnosine, Mineral salts
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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.
| Institut EsthedermPore Refiner ConcentrateYOUR PRODUCT | BiodermaSebium Pore Tightener Cream | AlmayComplexion foundation | TheramidCopper Peptide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 37% | 33% | 31% |
| Price | — | $15.36 | $16.11 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 12 | 4 of 12 | 4 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Sh-Polypeptide-9 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: REVOLUTION SKINCARE Goddess Glow Primer SerumGlowbiotics MD Calming Restorative Treatment
Product summary
"Institut Esthederm - Pore Refiner Concentrate" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing and Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (carnosine 0.10% - 0.15%, carnosine 0.45% - 0.65%, glycerin 1.80% - 2.10% and algae extract 0.50% - 0.75%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 40.00$ in the United States and for 40.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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