Works for
MoisturizingMadecassoside, Glycerin + 7 moreWorks well
“Hydra Zen Gel Cream is an oil-free moisturizer with a bouncy, gel-like texture that provides up to 24-hour hydration and soothes distressed skin for a visible glow.”
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, propylene 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
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Salicylic acidWorks well
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Madecassoside, Paeonia suffruticosa root extractWorks well
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).
ExfoliationSide benefit · Salicylic acidWorks well
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-agingSide benefit · MadecassosideMay help
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
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.8–5.7%
- 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~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneCetearyl ethylhexanoate~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Cetearyl ethylhexanoateAlcohol denat.~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateCi 14700~1.4–2.1%
Madecassoside~1.2–1.8%
- 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~0.6–1.35%
Eugenol~0.4–0.9%
Triethanolamine~0.35–0.75%
- 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~0.1–0.5%
- 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 acidDimethicone~0.15–0.6%
- 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~0.15–0.6%
- 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~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneXanthan gum~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBenzyl alcohol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholIsopropyl myristate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristatePropylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
- 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~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeMoringa pterygosperma seed extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Moringa pterygosperma seed extractDisodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Rosa gallica flower extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalParfum~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl ethylhexanoate, Alcohol denat., Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Ci 14700, 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, Moringa pterygosperma seed extract, Disodium edta, Rosa gallica flower extract, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Parfum
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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.
| LancômeHydra Zen Gel CreamYOUR PRODUCT | DECLEORNeroli Bigarade Hydrating Gel Day Cream | SCINICHyaluronic Acid Soothing Stick | GarnierSkinActive Rose Water 24H Moisture Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 84% | 80% |
| Price | $60.00 | $61.12+$1.12 | $14.72−$45.28 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Niacinamide | Ascorbyl Glucoside |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: La Roche-Posay EFFACLAR DUO Global acne treatmentRevolution Revskn Salicylicacid & Zinc Pca Purifying Water Gel Cream
Product summary
"Lancôme - Hydra Zen Gel Cream" has a good moisturizing formula. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Humectants in this product (glycerin) 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 (isopropyl myristate, dimethicone, dimethiconol, cetearyl ethylhexanoate and cyclohexasiloxane) 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 formulation also includes actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (its other name is Gotu Kola): madecassoside 1.20% - 1.80% 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
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 135.54A$ in Australia, for 51.94$ in the United States and for 42.71£ 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 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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