Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Anti-oxidation
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 5
Key actives
Product Summary
Based on the ingredient list, "MD Complete by Dr. Brian Zelickson - Deep Moisturizer" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. MD Complete by Dr. Brian Zelickson - Deep Moisturizer ticks this box. Panthenol, urea, anhydroxylitol, betaine and glycerin in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Isosorbide dicaprylate, borago officinalis seed oil, butyrospermum parkii oil, glycine soja oil and solanum lycopersicum seed oil 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.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits 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.
Price
The product retails for 39.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Works for
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Deep Moisturizer
Source: From product name
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:
anhydroxylitol, betaine.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, chondrus crispus extract.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: isosorbide dicaprylate, panthenol, urea
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
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
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
A plant oil that can help neutralize free radicals, soften the upper layer of the skin, and support skin's barrier function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
A plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Early studies suggest that it can help strengthen the skin barrier
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
A good emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and, due to the high linoleic acid content, can support the skin's barrier function
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
An emollient that helps create a nice silky finish on the skin
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Works as a humectant helping to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might be effective as an anti-oxidant.
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (rubus idaeus seed oil, vaccinium macrocarpon seed oil) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
A plant oil that can help neutralize free radicals, soften the upper layer of the skin, and support skin's barrier function
A plant oil that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
A plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Works as a humectant helping to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might be effective as an anti-oxidant.
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 MD Complete by Dr. Brian Zelickson Deep Moisturizer | Current | $39.99 | |
Cetaphil Restoring Water Gel | 47% | $-1.00 | |
M-61 Major Moisture! | 42% | - | |
 Neogenisis Barrier Renewal Cream | 42% | $9.50 | |
 Maruderm Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer Face & Body Cream | 40% | - | |
 Dr Sam's Flawless Moisturiser | 40% | $25.00 |
Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
Water, Pentylene glycol, Squalane, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Butyrospermum parkii oil, Isosorbide dicaprylate, Cetearyl alcohol, Xylitylglucoside, Glycerin, Urea, Betaine, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium pca, Tocopheryl acetate, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Rubus idaeus seed oil, Solanum lycopersicum seed oil, Ceteth-10 phosphate, Dicetyl phosphate, Xylitol, Chlorphenesin, Vaccinium macrocarpon seed oil, Polyquaternium-51, Trehalose, Allantoin, Potassium lactate, Chondrus crispus extract, Glycine soja oil, Sodium hydroxide, Punica granatum seed oil, Bisabolol, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Borago officinalis seed oil, Zinc citrate, Laminaria ochroleuca extract, Polyglutamic acid, Hydrolyzed sclerotium gum, Sodium hyaluronate, Triacetin, Alaria esculenta extract, Glucose
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- Improvement of hydration and epidermal barrier function in human skin by a novel compound isosorbide dicaprylate
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- Topical urea in skincare: A review
- α-(-)-Bisabolol Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Ameliorates Skin Inflammation
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage
- Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacy
- Characteristics and composition of tomato seed oil
- Physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of tomato seed oils from processing wastes
- Wound‐healing Properties of the Oils of Vitis vinifera and Vaccinium macrocarpon
- BERRY SEEDS: A SOURCE OF SPECIALTY OILS WITH HIGH CONTENT OF BIOACTIVES AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE
- Profile of wound healing process induced by allantoin
- Dermatology News - Commentary: Borage Seed Oil
- Undershirts coated with borage oil alleviate the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in children
- γ‐Polyglutamic Acid Produced by Bacillus Subtilis (Natto): Structural Characteristics, Chemical Properties and Biological Functionalities
- Natural and edible biopolymer poly‐γ‐glutamic acid: synthesis, production, and applications
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Final report on the safety assessment of triacetin
- Topical Glucose Induces Claudin-1 and Filaggrin Expression in a Mouse Model of Atopic Dermatitis and in Keratinocyte Culture, Exerting Anti-inflammatory Effects by Repairing Skin Barrier Function