skinChemists Essential Hydrating Facial Serum
Works for
MoisturizingDipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 + 14 moreWorks well
“Essential Hydrating Facial Serum”
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:
allantoin, 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: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 + 3 moreMay help
This product contains dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1. 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 strong irritants: Parfum, Benzyl salicylate + 8 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Carbomer~4.3–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerGlycerin~3.4–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholAllantoin~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinPeg-7 glyceryl cocoate~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoatePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolylactic acid~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as an abrasive ingredient for physical (mechanical) exfoliation
More about Polylactic acidDisodium edta~0.5–1%
Snail secretion filtrate~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically contains hyaluronic acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might contain allantoin that is helpful in calming down inflammation. There is no evidence that it can have any further benefits for the skin, especially when used in skincare products
More about Snail secretion filtrateDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%
Butylene glycol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.6%
Parfum~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderAscorbyl glucoside~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideCharcoal powder~0.3–0.75%
Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil that might somewhat help to neutralize free radicals. It could be irritating
More about Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oilPumice~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Milled volcanic rock. Used as an abrasive for physical exfoliation
More about PumiceTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetateIsomalt~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about IsomaltBenzyl salicylate~0.1–0.35%
Glucose~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseHexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.3%
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractCitronellol~0.05–0.3%
Subtilisin~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed pearl~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Limonene~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimonenePelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilButyrospermum parkii seedcake extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.3%
Geraniol~0.05–0.25%
Linalool~0.05–0.25%
Citrus aurantium flower oil~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Rosa damascena flower oil~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower oilSodium lactate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateLecithin~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinRhododendron ferrugineum leaf cell culture extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate~0.1–0.4%
- 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 Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetatePolysorbate 20~0.1–0.4%
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Lactic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acidPalmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.1–0.4%
- 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 Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~0.1–0.3%
- 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 Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Ci 17200~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Carbomer, Glycerin, Benzyl alcohol, Allantoin, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polylactic acid, Disodium edta, Snail secretion filtrate, Dehydroacetic acid, Butylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Ascorbyl glucoside, Charcoal powder, Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oil, Pumice, Tocopheryl acetate, Isomalt, Benzyl salicylate, Glucose, Hexyl cinnamal, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Citronellol, Subtilisin, Hydrolyzed pearl, Limonene, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Butyrospermum parkii seedcake extract, Sodium hydroxide, Geraniol, Linalool, Citrus aurantium flower oil, Rosa damascena flower oil, Sodium lactate, Lecithin, Rhododendron ferrugineum leaf cell culture extract, Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium benzoate, Lactic acid, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Ci 17200
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
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.
| skinChemistsEssential Hydrating Facial SerumYOUR PRODUCT | The OrdinaryBuffet + Copper Peptides 1% | Eveline CosmeticsSerum Shot Multi Peptides & Collagen Serum Rejuvenation | Peter Thomas RothPeptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 62% | 61% | 60% |
| Price | — | $28.90 | — | $30.58 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate | Acetyl Octapeptide-3 |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Colorescience PEP UP Collagen Boost Face and Neck TreatmentDr. Botanicals Madagascan Coconut Energising Facial Serum
Product summary
"skinChemists - Essential Hydrating Facial Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Peptides (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.10% - 0.30%, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.10% - 0.40% and dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate 0.10% - 0.40%). 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 theynare 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.
- In addition, this product contains Allantoin (1.90% - 2.90%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
- Humectants (sodium lactate 0.10% - 0.30%, isomalt 0.10% - 0.40%, snail secretion filtrate 0.55% - 1.30%, allantoin 1.90% - 2.90% and glycerin 3.40% - 5.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 13.50£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.