Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Zinc pcaStrong evidence
“Oil-free Cream , Acne”
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.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Zinc pcaStrong 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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Cera alba + 6 moreStrong evidence
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:
cyclomethicone, zinc pca.
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: cera alba, cyclomethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Diazolidinyl ureaMedium 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%
Butylene glycol~5.6–8.4%
- 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 glycolCetearyl alcohol~3.4–5.1%
- 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 alcoholIsodecyl neopentanoate~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.
More about Isodecyl neopentanoateNiacinamide~2.1–3.1%
- 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 NiacinamideCyclomethicone~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
More about CyclomethiconePolymethyl methacrylate~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylateDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerC12-14 pareth-12~0.9–1.4%
Cera alba~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about Cera albaCetearyl glucoside~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideSucrose stearate~0.45–1.1%
Zinc pca~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaPolyacrylamide~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideC30-45 alkyl methicone~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Paraffin~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency
More about ParaffinMethylparaben~0.1–0.3%
Laureth-7~0.05–0.25%
Propylparaben~0.05–0.2%
Diazolidinyl urea~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Unknown, Cetearyl alcohol, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Niacinamide, Cyclomethicone, Polymethyl methacrylate, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, C12-14 pareth-12, Cera alba, Cetearyl glucoside, Sucrose stearate, Zinc pca, Polyacrylamide, C30-45 alkyl methicone, Paraffin, Unknown, Methylparaben, Laureth-7, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl urea
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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.
| PapulexOil-free Cream - AcneYOUR PRODUCT | AlliancePapulex Oil-Free Cream | TIA'MPore Minimizing 21 Cream | RilastilAcnestil Attiva Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 91% | 89% |
| Price | $24.03 | $12.17−$11.86 | $20.50−$3.53 | $21.52−$2.51 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Cyclopentasiloxane | Panthenol | Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Papulex - Oil-free Cream - Acne" works well for moisturizing the skin. 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. Cyclomethicone, zinc pca and butylene glycol 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). Cyclomethicone, cera alba, cetearyl alcohol, isodecyl neopentanoate and paraffin 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 (2.10% - 3.10%) 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.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits 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.
Price
The product retails for 68.19$ in the United States and for 18.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review hindawi.com
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