SEPHORA COLLECTION Instant Masks

SEPHORA COLLECTION Instant Masks

Efficacy0/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Evens skin tone
Lactic acid ~0.3–0.7%, below the ~2% it needs
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“Brightens and smooths your skin, leaving your complexion radiant and more even.”
Source: Sephora

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low

Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.3–0.7%
Moisturizing
Side benefit · Glycerin, Xylitylglucoside + 6 more
Works

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": anhydroxylitol, glycerin.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.9–5.8%
XylitylglucosideKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function~1.6–2.5%
AnhydroxylitolKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function~1.4–2.1%
GlucoseKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function~0.15–0.55%
Lecithin· EmollientEffect: LowUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~2–3%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.85–1.3%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.3–0.7%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideUnder-dosedA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~0.1–0.45%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 15 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.35–0.85%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Citrus grandis fruit extract—High~0.1–0.3%est.
Ci 19140A yellow dyeHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Ci 16035A red dyeHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Sodium acrylates copolymerUsed to create a thicker product consistencyMedium~3.6–5.4%est.
1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.5–1.2%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.85–1.3%est.
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.5–1.15%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.3–0.7%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateUsed to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Ci 16035A red dye3/5~0.05–0.15%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~3.9–5.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Sodium acrylates copolymer~3.6–5.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Sodium acrylates copolymer
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Lecithin~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lecithin
Xylitylglucoside~1.6–2.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function

More about Xylitylglucoside
Anhydroxylitol~1.4–2.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function

More about Anhydroxylitol
Prunus armeniaca seed powder~1.4–2%
Formula
1,2-hexanediol~0.5–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol
Caprylyl glycol~0.85–1.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Xylitol~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function

More about Xylitol
Parfum~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Citric acid~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Lactic acid~0.3–0.7%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Disodium edta~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to stabilize the product formulation

More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate
Glucose~0.15–0.55%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function

More about Glucose
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Limonene~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Citrus grandis fruit extract~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.1–0.45%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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 triglyceride
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Ci 19140~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A yellow dye

More about Ci 19140
Ci 16035~0.05–0.15%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
3/5

A red dye

More about Ci 16035
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Prunus armeniaca seed powder, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Xylitol, Parfum, Citric acid, Lactic acid, Disodium edta, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Glucose, Sodium hydroxide, Limonene, Citrus grandis fruit extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Ci 19140, Ci 16035

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
SEPHORA COLLECTIONInstant MasksYOUR PRODUCTMy ClarinsRE-CHARGE Relaxing Sleep MaskClarinsMy Clarins RE-BOOST instant reviving maskDr. Jart+Cryo Rubber Mask with Firming Collagen
Match—56%56%54%
Price———$13.50
Shared key ingredients—3 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—BetaineCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideNiacinamide
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"SEPHORA COLLECTION - Instant Masks" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (xylitylglucoside 1.60% - 2.50%, glycerin 3.90% - 5.80% and anhydroxylitol 1.40% - 2.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

Price

The product retails for 16.99$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Instant Masks
SEPHORA COLLECTIONInstant Masks

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