PRODUCT REVIEW

iS Clinical Moisturizing Complex

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Anti-oxidation
Moisturizing
Anti-aging

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Retinyl palmitate 0.3% - 0.75%Pantothenic acid 0.1% - 0.5%

See all ingredients

Buy from Amazon US $98.00

Price as of 9/28/2024 3:59 GMT. More info

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Product summary

"iS Clinical - Moisturizing Complex" has a good moisturizing formula. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (panthenol, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, soluble collagen and butylene glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (triticum vulgare germ oil, dimethicone, caprylyl glycol and glyceryl stearate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.

Ingredient callouts

this moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.30% - 0.75%, 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.
This formulation also includes actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (its other name is Gotu Kola): madecassic acid 0.10% - 0.35%, asiaticoside 0.10% - 0.30% and asiatic acid 0.10% - 0.35% The Centella Asiatica actives help strengthen and restore the skin barrier, decrease inflammation in skin and neutralize free radicals. They also can help to reduce scarring. The good news is that these actives work even in low concentrations.
This formulation also includes panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 1.00% - 1.50% concentration. In this concentration, panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. 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 85.50$ up to 95.00$ in the United States, for 219.48CA$ in Canada, for 209.00A$ in Australia and from 78.00£ up to 141.57£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Key Benefits Provides antioxidant-rich protective barrier Provides penetrating and surface hydration Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles Smooths and softens Paraben-free

Source: Bluemercury

This product contains asiaticoside. This ingredient 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.

asiaticoside 0.1% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid), asiaticoside has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating

hyaluronic acid 4.9% - 7.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

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

retinyl palmitate 0.3% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing Complex

Source: From product name

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: glycerin, 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: dimethicone, triticum vulgare germ oil.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

madecassic acid 0.1% - 0.35%

Irritation risk: