Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging6 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Visibly reduce the signs of skin ageing with PCA Skin Hydra Luxe, a deeply hydrating moisturiser that plumps the skin and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Read more”
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.
Moisturizing21 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Hydra Luxe”
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:
betaine, glycerin.
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
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?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, Retinyl palmitateMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Niacinamide~4.5–5.6%
- 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 NiacinamideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~4.3–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetearyl isononanoate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and helps prevent moisture loss.
More about Cetearyl isononanoateDimethicone~2.5–3%
- 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~2.1–2.5%
- 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolHydrogenated lecithin~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinButyrospermum parkii butter~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterMaltodextrin~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinSqualane~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneBehenyl alcohol~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholPalmitic acid~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidCetearyl alcohol~0.65–1%
- 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 alcoholSodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPhenoxyethanol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolC20-40 alkyl stearate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetyl alcohol~0.55–0.8%
- 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 alcoholXanthan gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCaprylyl glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolParfum~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBehenyl behenate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Tribehenin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TribeheninCetyl stearate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Isostearyl isostearate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenic
More about Isostearyl isostearatePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateStearic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTocopherol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolSodium hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
Betaine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetainePaeonia albiflora root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cichorium intybus leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hexylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolSodium phytate~0.2–0.4%
Potassium sorbate~0.2–0.35%
Tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mushroom extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Tremella fuciformis sporocarp extractAcetyl glucosamine~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosamineRetinyl palmitate~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateCoenochloris signiensis extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An algae extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and neutralize free radicals
More about Coenochloris signiensis extractLecithin~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinLycium barbarum fruit extract~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Lycium barbarum fruit extractIngredient list view
Water, Niacinamide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl isononanoate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Hydrogenated lecithin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Maltodextrin, Squalane, Behenyl alcohol, Palmitic acid, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, C20-40 alkyl stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum, Behenyl behenate, Chlorphenesin, Tribehenin, Cetyl stearate, Isostearyl isostearate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Stearic acid, Tocopherol, Sodium hydroxide, Betaine, Paeonia albiflora root extract, Cichorium intybus leaf extract, Hexylene glycol, Sodium phytate, Potassium sorbate, Tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract, Acetyl glucosamine, Retinyl palmitate, Coenochloris signiensis extract, Lecithin, Lycium barbarum fruit extract
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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 SKINHydraLuxeYOUR PRODUCT | NeutrogenaUltra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator for Acne-Prone Skin | Rohto MentholatumHada Labo Gokujyun Aging Care Firming Cream | e.l.f. CosmeticsBlemish Breakthrough Blemish Calming Water Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 81% | 80% | 80% |
| Price | $156.00 | $14.99−$141.01 | $20.07−$135.93 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 12 | 6 of 12 | 4 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | — | Hyaluronic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"PCA SKIN - HydraLuxe" has a good moisturizing formula. 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. Humectants in this product (betaine, glycerin, tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract and caprylyl glycol) 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). Emollients in this formulation (butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone, squalane and cetearyl alcohol) 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 4.50% - 5.60%. 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.
- This moisturizer includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.10% - 0.25%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
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 156.00$ in the United States, for 222.22A$ in Australia and at around 128.00£ 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 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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