Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPalmitoyl tripeptide-38, Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis + 15 moreStrong evidence
“Lightweight and fast absorbing, the cream is infused with Hyaluronic Acid to provide intense hydration, drawing moisture into the skin and locking it in.”
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, isomalt.
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: squalane, isopropyl myristate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis, palmitoyl tripeptide-38
Anti-agingPalmitoyl tripeptide-38, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidModerate evidence
“This advanced formula has powerful anti-ageing properties, working to turn back the clock and reveal a younger looking surface.”
This product contains palmitoyl tripeptide-38. 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.
Evens skin tone3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidWeak evidence
“Infused with Red Algae, the cream repairs environmental damage, plumping the skin to even texture and tone.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol, ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Isopropyl myristate~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateCoco-caprylate~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Coco-caprylateGlycerin~2.7–4%
- 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 GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateSqualane~1.8–2.7%
- 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 SqualaneCetyl alcohol~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholCetearyl glucoside~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideCetearyl alcohol~1.1–1.7%
- 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 alcoholHydrogenated vegetable oil~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated vegetable oilCannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
CBD. Can bind to skin cell receptors and can reduce inflammation, itching, and help support skin barrier function
More about Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabisAloe barbadensis extract~0.4–0.9%
- 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 extractCorallina officinalis extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
More about Corallina officinalis extractMalus domestica fruit cell culture extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vitis vinifera fruit cell extract~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrinSodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Lecithin~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolXanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitric acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPalmitoyl tripeptide-38~0.1–0.5%
- 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 Palmitoyl tripeptide-38Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.5%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAlcohol~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 AlcoholPanthenol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolIsomalt~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Isomalt3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidTocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.25%
- 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 acetateParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Isopropyl myristate, Coco-caprylate, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Squalane, Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl glucoside, Cetearyl alcohol, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis, Aloe barbadensis extract, Corallina officinalis extract, Malus domestica fruit cell culture extract, Vitis vinifera fruit cell extract, Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium benzoate, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Palmitoyl tripeptide-38, Potassium sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Panthenol, Isomalt, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Unknown, Tocopheryl acetate, 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.
| MGC DermaBrightening CreamYOUR PRODUCT | REVOLUTION SKINCAREMood Calming Moisture Cream | Paula's choiceCBD Skin Transformative Treatment Milk Full Size | Derma ESkin De-Stress Calming CBD Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 72% | 70% | 70% |
| Price | $27.29 | $13.35−$13.94 | $33.60+$6.31 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "MGC Derma - Brightening Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. MGC Derma - Brightening Cream ticks this box. Humectants in this product (glycerin, isomalt, sodium hyaluronate and aloe barbadensis extract) 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). Isopropyl myristate, squalane, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol and coco-caprylate 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.
Ingredient callouts
- This moistruizer also contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-38 0.10% - 0.50%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of peptides is, but it is very likely that peptides in skincare are helpful. They might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
- What makes this product special is the inclusion of Cannabidiol, or CBD (0.50% - 1.15%). CBD is a new active in skincare, and the research about it is still ongoing. It is already clear though that CBD can bind to skin cell receptors. It can help reduce inflammation, itching, and help support skin barrier function. It also has a promise in reducing acne.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit 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 from 20.40£ up to 85.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 85.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
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