Works for
MoisturizingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, Acetyl tetrapeptide-2 + 12 moreWorks well
“A surprisingly lightweight formula delivers deep hydration and skin-repairing moisture for a bouncy, balanced finish, every time.”
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, caprylyl glycol.
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl tetrapeptide-2
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Pinus pinaster bark extract, Ferulic acid + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ferulic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - pinus pinaster bark extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Ferulic acid, Acetyl hexapeptide-8 + 2 moreMay help
This product contains acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl tetrapeptide-2, ferulic acid. These ingredients 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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Ferulic acid, Pinus pinaster bark extractMay help
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: ferulic acid, pinus pinaster bark extract.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.8–5.7%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.7–5.6%
- 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 triglycerideSqualane~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An 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 SqualaneCoco-caprylate/caprate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateCetearyl alcohol~1.7–2.5%
- 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 alcoholButyrospermum parkii butter~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butter1,2-hexanediol~0.5–1.15%
Glyceryl stearate~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerDimethicone~0.5–1.2%
- 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 DimethiconePropanediol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolHydroxyacetophenone~0.35–0.85%
Lauroyl lysine~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineSorbitan isostearate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateHydrogenated lecithin~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinSodium polyglutamate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sucrose stearate~0.2–0.75%
Caramel~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pinus pinaster bark extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but evidence of effectiveness of topical application is lacking. It can be an INCI name for the trademarked ingredient Pycnogenol (but could also be a different type of this plant's bark extract)
More about Pinus pinaster bark extractSodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product formulation and create a gel-like texture
More about Sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucanCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolFerulic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
More about Ferulic acidAcetyl hexapeptide-8~0.05–0.3%
- 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 Acetyl hexapeptide-8Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractBrassica oleracea acephala leaf extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin but solid research is lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Brassica oleracea acephala leaf extractPortulaca oleracea extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractAcetyl tetrapeptide-2~0.01–0.1%
- 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 Acetyl tetrapeptide-2Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Squalane, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Cetearyl alcohol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, 1,2-hexanediol, Glyceryl stearate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lauroyl lysine, Unknown, Sorbitan isostearate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Sodium polyglutamate, Sucrose stearate, Caramel, Pinus pinaster bark extract, Sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan, Caprylyl glycol, Ferulic acid, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Brassica oleracea acephala leaf extract, Portulaca oleracea extract, Acetyl tetrapeptide-2
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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.
| RoutinelyTHE GUARDIAN CREAMYOUR PRODUCT | MesoesteticFast Skin Repair | Noble PanaceaThe Absolute Dawn-to-Dusk Moisturizer | THE FACE SHOPDr. Belmeur Mild Derma Body Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 43% | 40% | 38% |
| Price | — | $58.99 | — | $30.60 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Tripeptide-1 | Retinol | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | Low | Medium | High | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Über Youth Eye Energy CreamSCINIC Snail Matrix Multi Stick
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Routinely - THE GUARDIAN CREAM" works well for improving skin hydration To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Routinely - THE GUARDIAN CREAM ticks this box. Glycerin, caprylyl glycol and portulaca oleracea extract 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 (butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone, squalane and cetearyl alcohol) 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 also contains Peptides (acetyl tetrapeptide-2 0.01% - 0.10%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that they are helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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