Patchology Aquaflash Daily Gel Moisturizer by Patchology
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPanthenol, Glycerin + 10 moreStrong evidence
“Aquaflash Daily Gel Moisturizer by Patchology”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, saccharomyces ferment filtrate.
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: panthenol
Anti-agingAloe barbadensis leaf juiceLimited evidence
“Key Ingredients & Benefits Hyaluronic Acid , delivers maximum moisture and promotes collagen synthesis to smooth fine lines Neem Tree Extract , provides powerful antioxidants to combat free radicals Vitamin B5 , heals and protects Aloe Extract , soothes and repairs, so your skin always feels right as rain”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Ethyl menthane carboxamide, ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.8%
- 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 Glycerin1,2-hexanediol~1.7–2.6%
Saccharomyces ferment filtrate~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharomyces ferment filtratePanthenol~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolMelia azadirachta leaf extract~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractSodium hyaluronate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.3–1.9%
- 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 juiceAllantoin~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinSclerotium gum~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCetyl ethylhexanoate~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateSodium polyacrylate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateSodium carbomer~0.35–0.85%
Ceteth-20~0.45–1%
Cyclopentasiloxane~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneSteareth-20~0.45–1.05%
Triethylhexanoin~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriethylhexanoinEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.65%
Butylene glycol~0.15–0.65%
- 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~0.15–0.7%
- 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 alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPvm/ma copolymer~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Menthyl pca~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethyl menthane carboxamide~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.35%
- 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 acetateDisodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Parfum~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCi 42090~0.05–0.15%
Ci 19140~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, Saccharomyces ferment filtrate, Panthenol, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Allantoin, Sclerotium gum, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Sodium polyacrylate, Sodium carbomer, Ceteth-20, Cyclopentasiloxane, Steareth-20, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene glycol, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Pvm/ma copolymer, Menthyl pca, Ethyl menthane carboxamide, Tocopheryl acetate, Disodium edta, Parfum, Ci 42090, Ci 19140
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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.
| PatchologyAquaflash Daily Gel Moisturizer by PatchologyYOUR PRODUCT | Chemist ConfessionsAquafix Hydrating Water Gel | SKIN&LABVitamin B Hydrating Gel Cream | Dr Sam'sFlawless Moisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 61% | 60% |
| Price | $22.73 | $38.00+$15.27 | $12.78−$9.95 | $73.57+$50.84 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 3 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Ceramide Np | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Patchology - Aquaflash Daily Gel Moisturizer by Patchology" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Panthenol, glycerin, saccharomyces ferment filtrate, sodium hyaluronate 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). Emollients in this formulation (cetearyl alcohol, cyclopentasiloxane, cetyl ethylhexanoate and glyceryl stearate) 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
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 2.10% - 3.10%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- In addition, this moisturizer contains Allantoin (0.90% - 1.35%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Patchology" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 35.00$ in the United States, for 44.10CA$ in Canada and for 16.50£ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5Melia azedarachmdedge.com
- 6
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