Olay Night Recovery Cream Face Moisturizer Fragrance-Free
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 + 8 moreStrong evidence
“Night Recovery Cream Face Moisturizer Fragrance-Free”
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, butylene glycol.
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, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, panthenol, tripeptide-3
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Tripeptide-3 + 1 moreStrong evidence
“Its tense moisture hydrates throughout the night to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, tripeptide-3.
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.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNo evidence
“Packed with hydration power, it plumps skin with a rich, velvety feel and exfoliates to aid surface cell turnover.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideStrong evidence
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Dimethicone~5.9–8.8%
- 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 DimethiconeGlycerin~3.8–5.6%
- 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~2.8–4.2%
- 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 crosspolymer~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerTapioca starch~1.7–2.6%
Polyacrylamide~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamidePanthenol~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPalmitoyl dipeptide-7~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4~0.8–1.25%
- 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 pentapeptide-4Tripeptide-3~0.5–1.15%
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.4–1%
Butylene glycol~0.35–0.85%
- 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 glycolC13-14 isoalkane~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethiconol~0.35–0.8%
- 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 DimethiconolLaureth-4~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Laureth-4Polysorbate 20~0.15–0.7%
Laureth-7~0.15–0.6%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.5%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerAminomethyl propanol~0.1–0.35%
Polymethylsilsesquioxane~0.1–0.4%
- 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~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTitanium dioxide~0.05–0.25%
- 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 dioxideIngredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Tapioca starch, Polyacrylamide, Panthenol, Palmitoyl dipeptide-7, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Tripeptide-3, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene glycol, C13-14 isoalkane, Dimethiconol, Laureth-4, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-7, Disodium edta, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Aminomethyl propanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium dioxide
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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.
| OlayNight Recovery Cream Face Moisturizer Fragrance-FreeYOUR PRODUCT | DdfAdvanced Firming Cream with Age Reverse Complex | dermaGEEKNourishing Facial Night Cream | CetaphilMoisturising Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 80% | 79% |
| Price | $29.99 | — | $19.94−$10.05 | $12.63−$17.36 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Gluconate | Sodium Hyaluronate | Petrolatum |
| Irritancy | Low | High | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Olay Regenerist - Night Recovery Cream Face Moisturizer Fragrance-Free" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Panthenol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (c13-16 isoparaffin, dimethicone and dimethiconol) 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 (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 1.40% - 2.10%). 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 1.70% - 2.60%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. 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.
Price
The product retails from 27.49$ up to 31.99$ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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