Physicians Formula Skin Booster Hydrating Vitamin Shot
Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Panthenol + 11 moreWorks well
“Skin Booster Hydrating Vitamin Shot”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
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: niacinamide, panthenol
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Niacinamide, Dipotassium glycyrrhizateWorks well
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-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Allantoin + 1 moreWorks well
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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks well
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5.8–8.7%
- 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 glycolNiacinamide~4–5.9%
- 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 NiacinamideGlycerin~2.8–4.2%
- 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 GlycerinPanthenol~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPentylene glycol~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.55–1.35%
Caprylyl glycol~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCarbomer~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerAllantoin~0.5–1.2%
- 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 AllantoinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.5–1.2%
- 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 juiceDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateDisodium edta~0.35–0.85%
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidPolysorbate 20~0.35–0.8%
Sodium hydroxide~0.3–0.75%
Collagen amino acids~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, soften it and support the skin barrier function
More about Collagen amino acidsLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateAgar~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AgarCalcium alginate~0.15–0.55%
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydroxyacetophenone~0.1–0.5%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.4%
- 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 acetateTropolone~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 77289~0.05–0.25%
Ci 61565~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 77891~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Panthenol, Pentylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Carbomer, Allantoin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Disodium edta, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium hydroxide, Collagen amino acids, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Agar, Calcium alginate, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopheryl acetate, Tropolone, Ci 77289, Ci 61565, Ci 77891
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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.
| Physicians FormulaSkin Booster Hydrating Vitamin ShotYOUR PRODUCT | Paula's choice10% Niacinamide Booster | Cos De BAHATT Tranexamic Acid 10 Facial Serum 30ml | BIODANCEPore tightening collagen ampoule | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 87% | 86% |
| Price | $13.49 | $50.18+$36.69 | $16.12+$2.63 | $34.32+$20.83 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Madecassoside | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dermatica Daily Hydration 5HA+Cica SerumSkin Inc Supplement Bar Vitamin B3+ Serum
Product summary
"Physicians Formula - Skin Booster Hydrating Vitamin Shot" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (4.00% - 5.90%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 2.10% - 3.20% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
- In addition, this product contains Allantoin (0.50% - 1.20%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.40%, panthenol 2.10% - 3.20%, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid 0.35% - 0.75% and glycerin 2.80% - 4.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Physicians Formula" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 24.20CA$ in Canada and from 13.15£ up to 14.39£ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
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