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Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream
Simple

Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream

Efficacy75/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients In 7 routines
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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing
Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Sodium pca + 9 more
Good evidence
What the product description says
“Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
From product name

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, saccharide isomerate.

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.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~1.4–2.1%
Sodium pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.15–0.55%
Saccharide isomerateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.5%
DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~3.7–5.6%
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~4.4–6.6%
Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin)Key active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~0.45–1.05%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~2.7–4%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~1.1–1.6%
Isohexadecane· EmollientEffect: LowImproves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent~2.2–3.2%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedEffect: HighAn 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)~0.05–0.15%
Stearic acidEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~0.4–0.95%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
11 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 11 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~1.7–2.5%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~1.4–2.1%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~1.1–1.6%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~0.5–1.2%est.
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymerUsed to stabilize product formulationsMedium~0.4–0.9%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
T-butyl alcoholUsed to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritatingMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.05–0.25%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~0.05–0.15%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
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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~4.4–6.6%
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
Dimethicone~3.7–5.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

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 Dimethicone
Butylene glycol~2.7–4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used 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 glycol
Isohexadecane~2.2–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent

More about Isohexadecane
Propylene glycol~1.7–2.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~1.4–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions

More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~1.4–2.1%
Key activeIrritant · 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
Caprylyl glycol~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Tocopheryl acetate~0.5–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin)~0.45–1.05%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin)
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer
Linoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Linoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate
Stearic acid~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Bht~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

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

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Sodium pca~0.15–0.55%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca
Saccharide isomerate~0.15–0.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharide isomerate
T-butyl alcohol~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating

More about T-butyl alcohol
Potassium chloride~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Potassium chloride
Sodium chloride~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Citric acid~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Sodium citrate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Lactic acid~0.05–0.15%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-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
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene glycol, Isohexadecane, Propylene glycol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin), Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer, Linoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Stearic acid, Bht, Disodium edta, Sodium pca, Saccharide isomerate, T-butyl alcohol, Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Sodium benzoate, Lactic acid

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medicationsjaad.org
  3. 3
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
  4. 4
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream
SimpleWater Boost Hydrating Gel Cream
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