L'Oréal Paris Skin Expert Hydra Genius Aloe Water Normal to Combination Skin
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Moisturizing13 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Skin Expert Hydra Genius Aloe Water Normal to Combination Skin”
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:
biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin.
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: panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Menthoxypropanediol + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.5–5.5%
- 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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Dimethicone~3.1–3.8%
- 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 DimethiconeIsononyl isononanoate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateSilanetriol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carbomer~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerTriethanolamine~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineDimethiconol~1.3–1.5%
- 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 DimethiconolAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceSodium hyaluronate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSilica dimethyl silylate~0.6–0.9%
Hyaluronic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidPhyllostachys bambusoides extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylyl glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTetrasodium edta~0.4–0.6%
Citric acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBiosaccharide gum-1~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Xanthan gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPanthenol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolMenthoxypropanediol~0.25–0.5%
Ethylhexyl palmitate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateButylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 glycolHexylene glycol~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolTocopherol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPotassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Sorbic acid~0.2–0.4%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.35%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.15–0.25%
Ci 42090~0.15–0.3%
Linalool~0.1–0.2%
Limonene~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneParfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Dimethicone, Isononyl isononanoate, Silanetriol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Dimethiconol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Sodium hyaluronate, Silica dimethyl silylate, Hyaluronic acid, Phyllostachys bambusoides extract, Caprylyl glycol, Tetrasodium edta, Citric acid, Biosaccharide gum-1, Xanthan gum, Panthenol, Menthoxypropanediol, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Butylene glycol, Hexylene glycol, Tocopherol, Potassium sorbate, Sorbic acid, Methylparaben, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ci 42090, Linalool, Limonene, Parfum
Compare prices
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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.
| L'Oréal ParisSkin Expert Hydra Genius Aloe Water Normal to Combination SkinYOUR PRODUCT | GarnierSkinActive Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream For Dry Skin | La Roche-PosayHyalu B5 Riche Cream | PharmacerisA - Hyaluro-Sensilium Hyaluronic Acid Face Cream GWP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $13.21 | $7.99−$5.22 | $62.14+$48.93 | $6.60−$6.61 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "L'Oréal Paris - Skin Expert Hydra Genius Aloe Water Normal to Combination Skin" works well for moisturizing the skin. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. L'Oréal Paris - Skin Expert Hydra Genius Aloe Water Normal to Combination Skin ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate) 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 (dimethicone, dimethiconol, ethylhexyl palmitate, caprylyl glycol and isononyl isononanoate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
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 9.99£ 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 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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