Skin Generics

Hyaluronic Acid Cream 21% Active Complex

Name: Skin Generics - Hyaluronic Acid Cream 21% Active Complex
Brand: Skin Generics

Efficacy 75/100·Medium irritancy

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

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Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

7 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Good evidence

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: diglycerin, glycerin.

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: squalane, cyclopentasiloxane.

CHONDRUS CRISPUSRole: HeroRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency~0.05–0.3%

CYCLOPENTASILOXANERole: Key activeA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~3.6–5.5%

DIGLYCERINRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~2.7–4%

GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.95–1.4%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.9%

SQUALANERole: Key activeAn 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.~1.8–2.7%

TREHALOSERole: Key activeA sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin~1.3–1.9%

Anti-oxidation

DIMETHYLMETHOXY CHROMANOL at ~0.15–0.5% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

This product contains antioxidants (dimethylmethoxy chromanol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

DIMETHYLMETHOXY CHROMANOLRole: Key activeCan help neutralize free radicals in skin~0.15–0.5%

CyclopentasiloxaneRole: Key activeA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~3.6–5.5%

DiglycerinRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~2.7–4%

SqualaneRole: Key activeAn 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.~1.8–2.7%

TrehaloseRole: Key activeA sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin~1.3–1.9%

GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.95–1.4%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.9%

GlucoseRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function~0.15–0.55%

Titanium dioxideRole: Key activeWorks 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~0.15–0.6%

Chondrus crispusRole: Key activeRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency~0.05–0.3%

Irritancy

8 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~1–1.6%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.45–1%est.

Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerA gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finishLow~2.1–3.1%est.

Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.55–1.3%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.35–0.85%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.35–0.85%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.3–0.75%est.

CarrageenanHelps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulationLow~0.05–0.25%est.

Comedogenic

Chondrus crispus ~0.05–0.3% — rinse-off or low %

Some risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Chondrus crispusRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistencyHigh~0.05–0.3%est.

CarrageenanHelps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulationHigh~0.05–0.25%est.