Kose

Kose Dr. Phil Cosmetics X-Barrier Repair Gel AL

Name: Kose - Dr. Phil Cosmetics X-Barrier Repair Gel AL
Brand: Kose

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing

4 ingredients credited for this claim

Strong support

What the product description says

“Dr. Phil Cosmetics X-Barrier Repair Gel AL”

From product name

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

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).

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

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.1–3.2%

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~1–1.6%

SerineKey activeEffect: HighAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~1.3–2%

Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~6–9.1%

Anti-aging

Not advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claim

Moderate support

This product contains serine. 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.

SerineKey activeEffect: MediumAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~1.3–2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Alcohol

Medium risk

We flagged 6 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

AlcoholCan be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial propertiesHigh~2.8–4.2%est.

Citrullus lanatus fruit extractA plant extract that can contain an antioxidant compoundMedium~1.6–2.4%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.5–1%est.

Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.35–0.8%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.15–0.5%est.

Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.1–0.4%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

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Cheaper Alternatives

Similar formulations, better price

Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel

66% match

$13.50

SKIN&LAB Barrierderm Intensive Cream MINI

64% match

$21.88

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Butylene glycol~6–9.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

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

More about Butylene glycol

Dipropylene glycol~3.8–5.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying

More about Dipropylene glycol

Alcohol~2.8–4.2%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Antibacterial

Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties

More about Alcohol

Glycerin~2.1–3.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Glycerin

Citrullus lanatus fruit extract~1.6–2.4%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that can contain an antioxidant compound

More about Citrullus lanatus fruit extract

Polysaccharide

Not recognized

Serine~1.3–2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-aging

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

More about Serine

Panthenol~1–1.6%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Phosphoryl oligosaccharide ca

Not recognized

Disodium edta~0.5–1%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta

Peg-20~0.4–0.95%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Peg-20

Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~0.35–0.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil

Citric acid~0.15–0.5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

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

More about Citric acid

Sodium citrate~0.1–0.4%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate

Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.05–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose

Methyl gluceth-10~0.05–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Methyl gluceth-10

Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Ingredient list view

Water, Butylene glycol, Dipropylene glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Citrullus lanatus fruit extract, Unknown, Serine, Panthenol, Unknown, Disodium edta, Peg-20, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Methyl gluceth-10, Phenoxyethanol

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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
	KoseDr. Phil Cosmetics X-Barrier Repair Gel ALYOUR PRODUCT	CetaphilOptimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel	Beauty of JoseonRed Bean Water Gel	SKIN&LABBarrierderm Intensive Cream MINI
Match	—	67%	66%	64%
Price	$56.50	—	$13.50−$43.00	$21.88−$34.62
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 3	3 of 3	3 of 3
Key difference	—	Niacinamide	Sh-Oligopeptide-2	Cyclopentasiloxane
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Medium	Low
Drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

Judging from the ingredient list, "Kose - Dr. Phil Cosmetics X-Barrier Repair Gel AL" works well for improving skin hydration

Ingredient callouts

An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.00% - 1.60%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide 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.