Olay Total Effects Night Firming Facial Moisturizer Treatment
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Olay Total Effects Night Firming Cream, infused with a proven vitamin-rich complex, fights 7 signs of aging in 1 formula replenishes moisture, restores firmness, visibly smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, smoothes and evens skin texture, Instantly evens skin tone appearance, enhances brightness and instantly reduces the look of dark spots.”
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-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“This nourishing Total Effects Night Cream gives you seven benefits it hydrates, replenishes, brightens, evens tone, minimizes the look of pores, visibly firms, and visibly smooths , all while you sleep.”
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.
Moisturizing15 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Total Effects Night Firming Facial Moisturizer Treatment”
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, hydrolyzed wheat protein.
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: cocos nucifera oil, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.8–5.9%
- 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~4.2–5.1%
- 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 NiacinamideIsohexadecane~3.1–3.8%
- 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 IsohexadecaneDimethicone~2.4–2.9%
- 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 DimethiconeIsopropyl isostearate~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Isopropyl isostearatePolyacrylamide~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideStearyl alcohol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholSucrose polycottonseedate~1.2–1.4%
Cetyl alcohol~1–1.3%
- 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 alcoholPanthenol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTocopheryl acetate~0.55–0.85%
- 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 acetateBehenyl alcohol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholPolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.55–0.8%
- 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneC13-14 isoparaffin~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinTitanium dioxide~0.55–0.8%
- 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 dioxideBenzyl alcohol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCocos nucifera oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilDimethiconol~0.35–0.65%
- 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-7~0.3–0.55%
Parfum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumEthylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Cetearyl glucoside~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideCetearyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 alcoholPeg-100 stearate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateStearic acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidDisodium edta~0.15–0.3%
Propylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Hydrolyzed wheat protein~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Avoid if sensitive to gluten
More about Hydrolyzed wheat proteinSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Methylparaben~0.1–0.15%
Ammonium polyacrylate~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone, Isopropyl isostearate, Polyacrylamide, Stearyl alcohol, Sucrose polycottonseedate, Cetyl alcohol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl acetate, Behenyl alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C13-14 isoparaffin, Titanium dioxide, Benzyl alcohol, Cocos nucifera oil, Unknown, Dimethiconol, Laureth-7, Parfum, Ethylparaben, Cetearyl glucoside, Cetearyl alcohol, Peg-100 stearate, Stearic acid, Disodium edta, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Sodium hydroxide, Methylparaben, Ammonium polyacrylate
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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.
| OlayTotal Effects Night Firming Facial Moisturizer TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | dermaGEEKNourishing Facial Night Cream | SK-IIR.N.A. POWER Anti-Aging Face Cream | Good Skin MDNight Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 98% | 97% | 94% |
| Price | $22.38 | $19.94−$2.44 | $224.75+$202.37 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Hyaluronate | Pitera | — |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Olay - Total Effects Night Firming Facial Moisturizer Treatment" works well for moisturizing the skin. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Olay - Total Effects Night Firming Facial Moisturizer Treatment ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, glycerin and hydrolyzed wheat protein) 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). Cocos nucifera oil, dimethicone, dimethiconol, cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol 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 (4.20% - 5.10%) 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.
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.65% - 1.00%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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