MDO Intense Hydrating Moisturizer
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, Panthenol + 21 moreStrong evidence
“Intense Hydrating 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, pantolactone.
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, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8, panthenol, urea
Anti-agingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, SerineModerate evidence
“This innovative formula gives a unique ‘filler’ effect by plumping fine lines – tackling their size, depth and volume – while encouraging suppleness.”
This product contains acetyl hexapeptide-8, serine. These ingredients 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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: AlcoholMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinMacadamia integrifolia seed oil~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Macadamia integrifolia seed oilSqualane~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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.
More about SqualaneDicaprylyl carbonate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateCetearyl alcohol~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPersea gratissima oil~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilSesamum indicum seed oil~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
More about Sesamum indicum seed oilHydrogenated vegetable glycerides~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated vegetable glyceridesEthylhexyl palmitate~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitatePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateTocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Tocopheryl acetatePanthenol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydrogenated palm glycerides~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glyceridesDimethicone~0.35–0.8%
- 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 DimethiconeGlyceryl polyacrylate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to create a nice product texture and spread the product more easily on the skin
More about Glyceryl polyacrylateTrehalose~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseUrea~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about UreaSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateXanthan gum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.55%
Sodium gluconate~0.15–0.5%
Pentylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSerine~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about SerineCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSilica dimethyl silylate~0.15–0.55%
Alcohol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholButylene glycol~0.1–0.45%
- 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 glycolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideAlgin~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AlginDisodium phosphate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphatePullulan~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanPantolactone~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about PantolactonePotassium phosphate~0.05–0.15%
Acetyl hexapeptide-8~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl hexapeptide-8Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Macadamia integrifolia seed oil, Squalane, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Cetearyl alcohol, Persea gratissima oil, Sesamum indicum seed oil, Hydrogenated vegetable glycerides, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Tocopheryl acetate, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated palm glycerides, Dimethicone, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Trehalose, Urea, Sodium hyaluronate, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium gluconate, Pentylene glycol, Serine, Caprylyl glycol, Silica dimethyl silylate, Alcohol, Butylene glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Algin, Disodium phosphate, Pullulan, Pantolactone, Potassium phosphate, Acetyl hexapeptide-8
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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.
| MDOIntense Hydrating MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | MDO by Simon Ourian MDD. Intense Hydrating Moisturizer | M-61Major Moisture! | CetaphilOptimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 69% | 51% | 51% |
| Price | $105.61 | $105.87 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 14 of 14 | 7 of 14 | 9 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | — | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11 | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "MDO - Intense Hydrating Moisturizer" works well for improving skin hydration To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. MDO - Intense Hydrating Moisturizer ticks this box. Humectants in this product (acetyl hexapeptide-8, panthenol, urea, glycerin and pantolactone) 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 (persea gratissima oil, sesamum indicum seed oil, dimethicone, squalane and cetearyl alcohol) 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
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.01% - 0.10%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- This formulation also uses an effective concentration of panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.35% - 0.80%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
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 79.00£ 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 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Triglyceride composition of Sesamum indicum seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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