Clear & Defend Rapid Gel
Efficacy 37/100·High irritancy
Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Product claims breakdown
Moisturizing3 ingredients contribute at the levels belowGood evidence
3 ingredients contribute at the levels below
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sarcosine.
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).
CYCLOPENTASILOXANERole: Key activeA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~2.3–2.8%
GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.1–5%
SARCOSINERole: Key activeHelps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.75%
Evens skin tone1 ingredient contributes at the levels belowWeak evidence
1 ingredient contributes at the levels below
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
SALICYLIC ACIDRole: HeroUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.25–0.5%
GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.1–5%
CyclopentasiloxaneRole: Key activeA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~2.3–2.8%
SarcosineRole: Key activeHelps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.75%
Capryloyl glycineRole: Key activeHelps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.65%
Cetyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~0.25–0.5%
Irritancy13 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
13 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended
We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~8.2–10.1%est.
Hamamelis virginiana waterA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~1.1–1.4%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.25–0.5%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
AlcoholCan be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial propertiesHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
Benzalkonium chlorideHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Portulaca oleracea extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skinLow~0.6–0.9%est.
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsLow risk
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Alcohol denat.~8.2–10.1%
Glycerin~4.1–5%
Polyacrylate-13~3.1–3.7%
Cyclopentasiloxane~2.3–2.8%
Polyisobutene~1.9–2.4%
C12-15 alkyl lactate~1.6–1.9%
Hamamelis virginiana water~1.1–1.4%
Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract~1–1.2%
Cedrus atlantica bark extract~0.7–1.1%
Portulaca oleracea extract~0.6–0.9%
Sarcosine~0.5–0.75%
Cetyl lactate~0.5–0.75%
Ppg-2 isoceteth-20 acetate~0.45–0.65%
Butene~0.45–0.65%
Glycol~0.35–0.65%
Hexylene glycol~0.35–0.6%
Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~0.3–0.6%
Salicylic acid~0.25–0.5%
Capryloyl glycine~0.35–0.65%
Propylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
Alcohol~0.25–0.45%
Phenethyl dimethicone~0.25–0.5%
Cetyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
Polysorbate 20~0.25–0.45%
Polysorbate 60~0.25–0.5%
Dehydroxanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.25–0.45%
Sodium chloride~0.25–0.45%
Disodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
Disodium phosphate~0.2–0.4%
Sodium phosphate~0.2–0.35%
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Benzalkonium chloride~0.05–0.1%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
Methylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Propylparaben~0.1–0.2%
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