Pour Moi Skincare Desert Day Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing12 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Desert Day Cream”
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 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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tripeptide-38
Anti-aging4 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“Encapsulated vitamins A, C + two types of vitamin E + anti-aging peptides boost skin’s natural defense and repair system in the desert.”
This product contains palmitoyl tripeptide-38. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol, Retinyl palmitateMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.3–7.7%
- 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 triglyceridePropanediol~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolDimethicone~3.3–4%
- 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~2.4–3%
- 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 GlycerinOleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglyceridesMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerEthylene/acrylic acid copolymer~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~1.1–1.3%
- 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 alcoholC20-22 alkyl phosphate~0.7–1.05%
C20-22 alcohols~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCoco-glucoside~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideSodium hyaluronate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTocopheryl acetate~0.45–0.7%
- 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 acetateGlyceryl caprylate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateTromethamine~0.35–0.65%
Avena sativa kernel extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractDisodium edta~0.3–0.55%
Alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholTuber aestivum extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinHydroxypropyl cyclodextrin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrinPoloxamer 338~0.25–0.5%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.45%
Peg-75 shea butter glycerides~0.25–0.45%
Silica~0.35–0.65%
Ascorbyl palmitate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateTocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 TocopherolPotassium phosphate~0.2–0.35%
Retinyl palmitate~0.15–0.25%
- 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 palmitatePalmitoyl tripeptide-38~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-38Ci 19140~0.1–0.15%
Citric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Cetearyl alcohol, C20-22 alkyl phosphate, C20-22 alcohols, Phenoxyethanol, Coco-glucoside, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopheryl acetate, Glyceryl caprylate, Tromethamine, Avena sativa kernel extract, Disodium edta, Alcohol, Tuber aestivum extract, Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, Poloxamer 338, Sodium benzoate, Peg-75 shea butter glycerides, Silica, Ascorbyl palmitate, Tocopherol, Potassium phosphate, Retinyl palmitate, Palmitoyl tripeptide-38, Ci 19140, Citric acid
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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.
| Pour Moi SkincareDesert Day CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Alpha-HLiquid Gold 24 Hour Moisture Repair Cream | YEOUTHDay/Night Moisturizer Cream | M-61Major Moisture! | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 60% | 56% |
| Price | $49.00 | $51.00+$2.00 | $9.27−$39.73 | $36.00−$13.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Pour Moi Skincare - Desert Day Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin. 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. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate 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 (caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol, oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides and glyceryl caprylate) 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
- this moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.15% - 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.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-38 0.10% - 0.20%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5Allergen of the Year—Alkyl Glucosidepracticeupdate.com
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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