Based on the ingredients included, "iS Clinical - Youth Intensive Crème" works well for moisturizing the skin. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Urea, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, glucose 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). Tripeptide-1, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol 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

this moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.25% - 0.45%, 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 moistruizer also contains peptides (tripeptide-1 1.20% - 1.50%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of peptides is, but it is very likely that peptides in skincare are helpful. They might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
This formulation also includes actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (its other name is Gotu Kola): madecassic acid 0.25% - 0.50%, asiatic acid 0.25% - 0.50% and asiaticoside 0.25% - 0.45% 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.

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 high. 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 235.00$ up to 385.00$ in the United States, for 1332.69A$ in Australia and from 153.00£ up to 310.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Does not work for

Evens skin tone
Exfoliation

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

For mature skin with visible signs of ageing such as dry, thin and crêpey skin texture, iS Clinical Youth Intensive Creme hydrates, firms and provides powerful anti ageing action.

Source: Face the future

This product contains asiaticoside, tripeptide-1. 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.

tripeptide-1 1.2% - 1.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

asiaticoside 0.25% - 0.45%

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

dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline 0.4% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

Is claimed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, as well as work as an anti-oxidant. There is however not enough evidence for its effectiveness

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

For mature skin with visible signs of ageing such as dry, thin and crêpey skin texture, iS Clinical Youth Intensive Creme hydrates, firms and provides powerful anti ageing action.

Source: Face the future

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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: tripeptide-1, urea

superoxide dismutase 0.35% - 0.6%

Irritation risk: