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Laura Mercier Mattifying Oil-Free Moisturizer
Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier Mattifying Oil-Free Moisturizer

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Porphyridium cruentum extract + 5 more
Works
What the product description says
“Mattifying Oil-Free Moisturizer”
Source: Cultbeauty

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

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).

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~4–4.9%
Porphyridium cruentum extractKey activeEffect: MediumA red algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have an antioxidant effect~0.8–1.15%
HoneyKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen~0.6–0.9%
Lactobacillus fermentKey active· HumectantEffect: HighA fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative~0.5–0.7%
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~6.3–7.7%
Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowA type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~2.5–3.1%
Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~0.3–0.5%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
8 strong irritants: Lavandula angustifolia flower extract, Rosa gallica flower extract + 6 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 15 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Lavandula angustifolia flower extractEssential oil that can be irritatingHigh~1.5–1.8%est.
Rosa gallica flower extract—High~1.1–1.4%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.3–0.5%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.5%est.
Benzyl salicylateA fragrance. Is a likely irritantHigh~0.15–0.3%est.
HydroxycitronellalA fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.
Alpha-isomethyl iononeA fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.25%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.15–0.25%est.
Polyvinyl alcoholHelps improve the product textureMedium~0.4–0.6%est.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.3–0.55%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~0.25–0.45%est.
Potassium hydroxideUsed to adjust the pH level of productsMedium~0.25–0.45%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.2–0.4%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.4%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Porphyridium cruentum extractA red algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have an antioxidant effect3/5~0.8–1.15%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Butylene glycol~6.3–7.7%
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
Glycerin~4–4.9%
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
Synthetic wax~3.3–4.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations and thicken product consistency

More about Synthetic wax
Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~2.5–3.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~2.1–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions

More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer
Xylitol~1.7–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function

More about Xylitol
Lavandula angustifolia flower extract~1.5–1.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Essential oil that can be irritating

More about Lavandula angustifolia flower extract
Rosa gallica flower extract~1.1–1.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Rosa gallica flower extract
Porphyridium cruentum extract~0.8–1.15%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A red algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have an antioxidant effect

More about Porphyridium cruentum extract
Honey~0.6–0.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAntibacterial

Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen

More about Honey
Lactobacillus ferment~0.5–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationReduces irritation

A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative

More about Lactobacillus ferment
Sea water~0.4–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water

More about Sea water
Polyvinyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps improve the product texture

More about Polyvinyl alcohol
Coconut acid~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Coconut acid
Parfum~0.3–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Propylene glycol~0.3–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together

More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
Sodium citrate~0.25–0.45%
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
Potassium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to adjust the pH level of products

More about Potassium hydroxide
Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Bht~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Propanediol~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Benzyl salicylate~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Is a likely irritant

More about Benzyl salicylate
Hydroxycitronellal~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating

More about Hydroxycitronellal
Alpha-isomethyl ionone~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Alpha-isomethyl ionone
Linalool~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Trisodium edta~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps preserve product formulations

More about Trisodium edta
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ingredient list view

Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Synthetic wax, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Xylitol, Lavandula angustifolia flower extract, Rosa gallica flower extract, Porphyridium cruentum extract, Honey, Lactobacillus ferment, Sea water, Polyvinyl alcohol, Coconut acid, Parfum, Propylene glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Sodium citrate, Potassium hydroxide, Citric acid, Bht, Propanediol, Benzyl salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Linalool, Limonene, Trisodium edta, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol

Compare prices

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🇬🇧 Cultbeauty (UK)50 ml
≈ $71.42 Out of stock
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🇬🇧 Lookfantastic (UK)50 ml
≈ $71.42 Out of stock
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🇦🇺 Amazon Australia (AU)
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🇬🇧 Amazon UK (UK)
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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
Laura MercierMattifying Oil-Free MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCTEstée LauderNutritious Radiant Essence Treatment LotionCOVER FXCustom Blending MoisturizerAtwaterSkin Armor Facial Moisturizer
Match—44%43%42%
Price—$31.50—$37.00
Shared key ingredients—2 of 22 of 22 of 2
Key difference—NiacinamideCeramide NpNiacinamide
Irritancy High Low Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Evaluation of Skin Irritation and Acute and Subacute Oral Toxicity of Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oils in Rabbit and Micencbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Assessment report on Lavandula angustifolia Mill., aetheroleum and Lavandula angustifolia Mill., flos ema.europa.eu
  4. 4
    The effect of probiotics on immune regulation, acne, and photoagingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Comparison of clinical and histological effects between lactobacillus-fermented Chamaecyparis obtusa and tea tree oil for the treatment of acne: an eight-week double-blind randomized controlled split-face studyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Use of Probiotics for Dermal Applicationsresearchgate.net
Laura Mercier Mattifying Oil-Free Moisturizer
Laura MercierMattifying Oil-Free Moisturizer
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Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.