Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPanthenol, Niacinamide + 13 moreStrong evidence
“Luminous Vitamin C Sensitive Cream”
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, sodium lactate.
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, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Lactic acid + 1 moreStrong evidence
“REDUCES UP TO -46% DARK SPOTS APPEARANCE OVER TIME*BIOAVAILABLE INGREDIENTS** ACTIVATED NIACINAMIDE targets dark spots from 10 layers deep STABLE VITAMIN C remains fresh and helps brighten skin 100X SOOTHING INGREDIENT**** strengthens skin barrier and resilience SUITABLE FOR DARK SPOTS & DULL SKIN DERMATOLOGIST TESTED DESIGNED FOR SENSITIVE SKIN Lightweight, Fast-absorbing and Non-sticky texture EXPECTED RESULTS 1st use Brightens and strengthens skin barrier 4 weeks Visibly more even skin tone 8 weeks Reduction in stubborn dark spots appearance PROVEN RESULTS ^98% agree gentle on skin 97% noticed a healthy glow after use FORMULATED WITHOUT^^Fragrance (a common source of allergens), Dyes, Parabens, Pigments, Mineral Oils *Clinical Study, 120 subjects, 8 weeks usage **Refers to Niacinamide, Vitamin C, based on penetration up to epidermis layer ***Up to epidermis layer ****Refers to Trehalose, vs Olay Luminous Vitamin C Serum ^Consumer study, 104 subjects ^^excludes carryovers due to manufacturing process”
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-agingNiacinamide, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 1 moreStrong evidence
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideStrong evidence
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?
Irritancy5 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~4.1–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinIsohexadecane~3.8–5.8%
- 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~2.7–4.1%
- 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 NiacinamideDimethicone~2.1–3.2%
- 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 DimethiconeLactic acid~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidIsopropyl isostearate~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Isopropyl isostearateSodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateStearyl alcohol~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholTrehalose~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseCetyl alcohol~0.6–1.35%
- 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 alcoholSodium lactate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactatePanthenol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolBehenyl alcohol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcohol3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.15–0.7%
- 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 acidDimethiconol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolPeg-100 stearate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCetearyl glucoside~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideCetearyl alcohol~0.1–0.45%
- 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~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Palmitic acid~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Lactic acid, Isopropyl isostearate, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Stearyl alcohol, Trehalose, Cetyl alcohol, Sodium lactate, Panthenol, Behenyl alcohol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Dimethiconol, Peg-100 stearate, Cetearyl glucoside, Cetearyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Sodium benzoate, Palmitic acid
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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.
| OlayLuminous Vitamin C Sensitive CreamYOUR PRODUCT | dermaGEEKNourishing Facial Night Cream | e.l.f. CosmeticsFragrance Free Holy Hydration! Face Cream | Good Skin MDNight Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 79% | 79% |
| Price | — | $42.99 | $12.13 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Hyaluronate | Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 | — |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Olay - Luminous Vitamin C Sensitive Cream" can work well for skin moisturization. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Humectants in this product (panthenol, glycerin, sodium lactate and trehalose) 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). Dimethicone, dimethiconol, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol and isohexadecane 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
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (2.70% - 4.10%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. 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 help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 1.70% - 2.50%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 0.35% - 0.85% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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