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Product summary

Judging from the ingredient list, "Pixi - pHenomenal Gel" works well for improving skin hydration 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. Humectants in this product (panthenol, betaine, glycerin, trehalose and butylene 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). Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, isododecane, cetyl ethylhexanoate and isohexadecane 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

  • This product also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.30% - 0.70%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
  • This moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.15% - 0.70%, 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.
  • This formulation also includes panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 1.00% - 1.50% concentration. In this concentration, panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
  • In addition, this moisturizer 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.

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 "Pixi" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.

Price

The product retails from 8.49$ up to 24.00$ in the United States, for 16.97CA$ in Canada, from 19.99£ up to 24.00£ in the United Kingdom, for 46.00A$ in Australia, for 220.00HK$ in Hong Kong and for 53.00NZ$ in New Zealand.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.