Lancôme Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Gel Moisturizer
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing10 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Gel Moisturizer”
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, butylene glycol.
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, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: madecassoside
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimLimited support
“It also soothes irritation while reducing the look of redness, dullness, and fatigue to reveal visibly glowing skin.”
This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (madecassoside) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains madecassoside. 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Eugenol + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid~1.25–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidWater~12–17%
Glycerin~4.8–7.2%
- 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 GlycerinCyclohexasiloxane~3.3–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneCetearyl ethylhexanoate~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Cetearyl ethylhexanoateAlcohol denat.~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateCi 14700~1.3–2%
T-butyl alcohol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholMadecassoside~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulations
More about MadecassosidePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPaeonia suffruticosa root extract~0.45–1.1%
Eugenol~0.4–0.95%
Triethanolamine~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Salicylic acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidDimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolLimonene~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneXanthan gum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBenzyl alcohol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholIsopropyl myristate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristatePropylene glycol~0.15–0.55%
- 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 glycolAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeSorbitol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolMoringa pterygosperma seed extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Moringa pterygosperma seed extractDisodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Rosa gallica flower extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Disodium phosphate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphateButylene glycol~0.05–0.3%
- 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 glycolButylphenyl methylpropional~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalCitric acid~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidParfum~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl ethylhexanoate, Alcohol denat., Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Ci 14700, T-butyl alcohol, Madecassoside, Phenoxyethanol, Paeonia suffruticosa root extract, Eugenol, Triethanolamine, Chlorphenesin, Salicylic acid, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Limonene, Xanthan gum, Benzyl alcohol, Isopropyl myristate, Propylene glycol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Sorbitol, Moringa pterygosperma seed extract, Disodium edta, Rosa gallica flower extract, Disodium phosphate, Butylene glycol, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Citric acid, Parfum
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| LancômeHydra Zen Anti-Stress Gel MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | DECLEORNeroli Bigarade Hydrating Gel Day Cream for Normal to Combination Skin | VichyAqualia Mineral Water Gel | BiodermaHydrabio Gel-Creme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 83% | 80% |
| Price | $18.84 | $60.81+$41.97 | $26.43+$7.59 | $17.50−$1.34 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Biosaccharide Gum-1 | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Lancôme - Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Gel Moisturizer" has a good moisturizing formula. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (glycerin, butylene glycol and sorbitol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Isopropyl myristate, dimethicone, dimethiconol, cetearyl ethylhexanoate and cyclohexasiloxane in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer contains actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (also known as Gotu Kola) - madecassoside 0.95% - 1.45% The Centella Asiatica actives, even in low concentration, can help reduce inflammation in skin, strengthen the skin barrier and reduce photodamage. They can also help to decrease scarring.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 18.88$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.