Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Sodium hyaluronate + 11 moreStrong evidence
“Gel Face Moisturizer”
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, sodium acetylated hyaluronate.
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, pentylene glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNiacinamideStrong evidence
“works to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and brighten skin tone Oil and alcohol free.”
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-agingNiacinamideStrong evidence
“Enriched with Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, to help protect your skin from harmful free radicals, preventing premature aging and promoting a youthful and radiant complexion Protect and nourish. Vitamin B3 (aka Niacinamide!)”
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 · NiacinamideStrong evidence
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?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Parfum, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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%
Dimethicone~5.3–7.9%
- 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~3.4–5%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~2.7–4%
- 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 glycolAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerNiacinamide~1.7–2.6%
- 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymerParfum~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLinoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propylene glycol~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolTocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.95%
- 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 acetateStearic acid~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidDisodium edta~0.3–0.7%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.35–0.8%
- 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 triglycerideTriethanolamine~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineBht~0.2–0.7%
Sodium pca~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaPeg-4 laurate~0.15–0.65%
T-butyl alcohol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Sodium chloride~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.4%
Pentylene glycol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium acetylated hyaluronate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of hyaluronic acid that works as an excellent moisturizer by attracting water into the upper layer of the skin. Is typically feels less sticky on the skin compared to the usual hyaluronic acid
More about Sodium acetylated hyaluronateSodium 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 hyaluronateSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.4%
Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronateCitronellol~0.05–0.3%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.25%
Limonene~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.15%
Ci 42090~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer, Parfum, Linoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Propylene glycol, Tocopheryl acetate, Stearic acid, Disodium edta, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Triethanolamine, Bht, Sodium pca, Peg-4 laurate, T-butyl alcohol, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Sodium chloride, Sodium hydroxide, Pentylene glycol, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, Citronellol, Hexyl cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Ci 42090
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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.
| POND'SGel Face MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | skintificPDRN Bright & Smooth Moisture Gel Cream Moisturizer | RéViveFull-Size Hydrogel Moisturizer Gift | Chemist ConfessionsMr. Reliable Lightweight Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 98% | 97% | 96% |
| Price | $5.71 | $13.99+$8.28 | $195.00+$189.29 | $42.00+$36.29 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 9 | 7 of 9 | 8 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Vitamin B12 (Synthetic) | Hexapeptide-9 | Phytosphingosine |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Ponds - Gel Face Moisturizer" has a good moisturizing formula. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Ponds - Gel Face Moisturizer ticks this box. Humectants in this product (glycerin, sodium acetylated hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer and sodium pca) 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). Dimethicone and pentylene glycol 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
- We love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 1.70% - 2.60%. 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.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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