Rationale - #1 The Hydragel

Rationale #1 The Hydragel

Efficacy100/100

Works for:

based on ingredients and %
  • Moisturizing
  • Anti-aging
  • Anti-oxidation
  • Evens skin tone

Can it cause trouble?

  • Irritation risk: high
  • Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2

Key actives

Niacinamide2.2% - 2.7%Zinc gluconate0.2% - 0.35%Allantoin0.2% - 0.35%
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Product Summary

"Rationale - #1 The Hydragel" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. 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. Panthenol, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid and betaine 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 (caprooyl phytosphingosine, ceramide eop, ceramide np, ceramide ns and cholesterol) 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 particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (2.20% - 2.70%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. 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 help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
  • As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (caprooyl sphingosine 0.20% - 0.35%, caprooyl phytosphingosine 0.25% - 0.45%, ceramide eos 0.20% - 0.35%, ceramide eop 0.25% - 0.45%, ceramide ap 0.20% - 0.35%, ceramide ns 0.25% - 0.45% and ceramide np 0.25% - 0.45%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
  • An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.10% - 1.30%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: titanium dioxide, copper gluconate, zinc gluconate, vitamin e and allantoin

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. 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.

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