Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Niacinamide + 13 moreWorks well
“calming moisturizer”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Niacinamide, Camellia sinensis leaf extractWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.2–6.3%
- 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 GlycerinPanthenol~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolIsohexadecane~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneNiacinamide~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideTapioca starch~1.6–2.5%
Isopropyl isostearate~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Isopropyl isostearateStearyl alcohol~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholPolyacrylamide~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.8–1.25%
- 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 juiceCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractTocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.9%
- 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 acetateHydroxyacetophenone~0.35–0.8%
C13-14 isoparaffin~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinLaureth-7~0.3–0.75%
Cetearyl glucoside~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideCetearyl alcohol~0.2–0.75%
- 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 alcoholStearic acid~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPalmitic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidCetyl alcohol~0.15–0.6%
- 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 alcoholBehenyl alcohol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholDisodium edta~0.1–0.3%
Peg-100 stearate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateTitanium dioxide~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxidePolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Tapioca starch, Isopropyl isostearate, Stearyl alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, C13-14 isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Cetearyl glucoside, Cetearyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Palmitic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Behenyl alcohol, Disodium edta, Peg-100 stearate, Titanium dioxide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| Olaycalming moisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | SK-IIFacial Lift Emulsion | dermaGEEKNourishing Facial Night Cream | Good Skin MDNight Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 90% | 89% | 89% |
| Price | — | $93.52 | $42.99 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Pitera | Dimethiconol | — |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: e.l.f. Cosmetics Happy Hydration Face CreamKeys Soulcare Skin Transformation Cream
Product summary
"Olay - calming moisturizer" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.00% - 3.00%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 3.50% - 5.20% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
- Humectants (panthenol 3.50% - 5.20% and glycerin 4.20% - 6.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
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