
“Hydrates”
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:
alanine, arginine.
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: arginine, helianthus annuus seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: caprooyl phytosphingosine, caprooyl sphingosine, ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide eos, ceramide np, ceramide ns
“Evens tone”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
In addition, this product contains glutathione. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: alanine.
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.
“Blemishes and congestion”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: aspartic acid, carnosine, lysine, serine, threonine.
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.
This product contains antioxidants (carnosine, glutathione, retinol, superoxide dismutase, ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol.
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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolOne 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 GlycerinHelps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerPure 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 TocopherolA gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilHelps mask the smell of other ingredients and helps preserve the product formulation
More about PhenylpropanolA vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
More about Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolAn antioxidant enzyme that is naturally present in skin. It can help support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin. It is used in topical medications for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. There are three types of natural Superoxide Dismutase in human skin. The compound used in topical treatments and cosmetics are mimics of typically one of these natural variants
More about Superoxide dismutaseUsed 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 glycolTwo steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolA type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
More about CarnosineA peptide that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce melanin production resulting in skin lightening effect and reduction in hyperpigmentation. It can also help attract moisture to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlutathioneA stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolUsed to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinMight be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and calm down inflammation in skin
More about Magnesium aspartateTypically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Zinc gluconateA 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 acetateA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholCoenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npAn emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolTypically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing
More about Copper gluconateA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide nsHelps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about SerineAn amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide apA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eopA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eosA plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Santalum acuminatum fruit extractA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractAn amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles
More about Aspartic acidA component of ceramides. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Caprooyl phytosphingosineA component of ceramides. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Caprooyl sphingosineAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking
More about AlanineAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about LysineAn amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about ThreonineAn amino acid that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function
More about IsoleucineCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneWorks as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideUsed as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium amara flower oilAn essential oil. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and sensitizing
More about Eugenia caryophyllus leaf oilAn essential oil with a lemon-like smell that is extracted from a fruit grown in Asia. Used as a fragrance
More about Litsea cubeba fruit oilA plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus grandis peel oilWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Trideceth-9, Caprylyl glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Bis-ethylhexyl hydroxydimethoxy benzylmalonate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Phenylpropanol, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, Santalum spicatum seed oil, Squalane, Propylene glycol, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Superoxide dismutase, Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Sodium potassium aluminum silicate, Carnosine, Glutathione, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Melanin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Pentylene glycol, Ceteareth-25, Maltodextrin, Magnesium aspartate, Zinc gluconate, Silica, Brachychiton acerifolius flower extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Cetyl alcohol, Bht, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ubiquinone, Bha, Behenic acid, Ceramide np, Cholesterol, Copper gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ceramide ns, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic acid, Ceramide ap, Ceramide eop, Ceramide eos, Banksia serrata flower extract, Citrus australasica fruit extract, Davidsonia pruriens fruit extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf extract, Santalum acuminatum fruit extract, Tasmannia lanceolata fruit extract, Telopea speciosissima flower/leaf extract, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Aspartic acid, Leucine, Caprooyl phytosphingosine, Caprooyl sphingosine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Sodium benzoate, Citric acid, Histidine, Potassium sorbate, Parfum, Limonene, Citral, Titanium dioxide, Juniperus mexicana oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia leaf oil, Pelargonium graveolens oil, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Eugenia caryophyllus leaf oil, Litsea cubeba fruit oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Citrus grandis peel oil, Citrus medica peel oil
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| Rationale#2 The HydragelYOUR PRODUCT | Paula's choiceClinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturiser | AHCEye Cream For Face | skintificRetinol Skin Renewal Moisturizer Acne & Anti-Aging Night Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 73% | 72% |
| Price | — | $50.40 | $14.75 | $9.90 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 12 of 32 | 19 of 32 | 8 of 32 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: DerMend Moisturizing Bruise CreamOAM Vitamin C Radiance Moisturizer
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 67 studies and safety reviews.
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