Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing15 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Suitable for all skin types, this powerful product provides effective and long-term relief.Key Benefits Nicinamide reduces redness Infla Shield™ (patented ingredient) reduces inflammation Dimethyl Sulfone and Silymarin hydrates and soothes skin Bisabolol calms skin Ceramide NP prevents skin from losing moisture Made without synthetic dyes and fragrances”
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, isododecane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np, niacinamide, panthenol
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Skin feels instantly soothed and replenished with a more even and balanced tone.”
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 · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 · 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: Citrus grandis peel oilMedium 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~45–55%
Isododecane~6.6–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneCyclopentasiloxane~4.2–5.2%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneNiacinamide~3.1–3.8%
- 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~2.4–3%
- 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~2–2.5%
- 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 GlycerinPeg-12 glyceryl dimyristate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tapioca starch polymethylsilsesquioxane~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerCetearyl alcohol~1–1.3%
- 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 alcoholDimethyl sulfone~0.65–1%
Pentylene glycol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolysilicone-11~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Panthenol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolGlyceryl stearate~0.5–0.7%
- 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-100 stearate~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/capratePeg-23 glyceryl distearate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silybum marianum fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBisabolol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.5%
- 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 acetateButylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 glycolSodium polyacrylate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexyl stearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateCeramide np~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumChlorphenesin~0.15–0.3%
Citrus grandis peel oil~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus grandis peel oilSodium citrate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateTrideceth-6~0.15–0.25%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.15%
Decyl glucoside~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideAminomethyl propanol~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Peg-12 glyceryl dimyristate, Tapioca starch polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Cetearyl alcohol, Dimethyl sulfone, Pentylene glycol, Polysilicone-11, Panthenol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Peg-23 glyceryl distearate, Silybum marianum fruit extract, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl acetate, Butylene glycol, Sodium polyacrylate, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexyl stearate, Ceramide np, Xanthan gum, Chlorphenesin, Citrus grandis peel oil, Sodium citrate, Trideceth-6, Disodium edta, Decyl glucoside, Aminomethyl propanol
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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.
| PCA SKINDual Action Redness ReliefYOUR PRODUCT | RilastilAcnestil Attiva Cream | THE Formula RxBarrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer | HeimishBlack Rose Hydra Plumping Sorbet Cream 50ml | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 92% | 91% |
| Price | $120.00 | $24.44−$95.56 | $31.99−$88.01 | $37.68−$82.32 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate | Colloidal Oatmeal | Copper Tripeptide-1 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"PCA SKIN - Dual Action Redness Relief" has a good moisturizing formula. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. PCA SKIN - Dual Action Redness Relief ticks this box. Panthenol, glycerin, butylene glycol and caprylyl 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 (ceramide np, dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol, coco-caprylate/caprate and cyclopentasiloxane) 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 love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 3.10% - 3.80%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
- Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (ceramide np 0.25% - 0.45%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
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.
Price
The product retails for 96.95£ in the United Kingdom and from 120.00$ up to 128.00$ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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