Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream with B-L3™ Complex

Name: Skinfix - Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream with B-L3™ Complex
Brand: Skinfix

Efficacy 100/100·Medium irritancy · In 1 routines

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

Based on the ingredients included, "Skinfix - Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream with B-L3™ Complex" works well for moisturizing the skin.

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Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, "Skinfix - Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream with B-L3™ Complex" works well for moisturizing the skin. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Skinfix - Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream with B-L3™ Complex ticks this box. Glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, saccharide isomerate, sodium hyaluronate and zinc pca 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 (phytosterols, phytosteryl macadamiate, squalane, squalene and caprylyl glycol) 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

We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (2.10% - 2.50%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (hexapeptide-11 0.30% - 0.60%, oligopeptide-1 0.30% - 0.60% and oligopeptide-3 0.30% - 0.60%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: lactic acid, vitamin e, lecithin and allantoin

Irritation risk

This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. 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.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Skinfix" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

17 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong 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: glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.

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, squalene.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: hexapeptide-11, niacinamide, oligopeptide-1, oligopeptide-3

OLIGOPEPTIDE-3Role: HeroA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.3–0.6%

HEXAPEPTIDE-11Role: Key activeA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.3–0.6%

NIACINAMIDERole: Key activeIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production~2.1–2.5%

OLIGOPEPTIDE-1Role: Key activeA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.3–0.6%

LACTIC ACIDRole: Under-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)~0.3–0.6%

PHYTOSTERYL MACADAMIATERole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.55–0.85%

SACCHARIDE ISOMERATERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~1.7–2.1%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.6%

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.~5.5–6.7%

SQUALENERole: Key activeAn oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast~1.4–1.7%

TOCOPHEROLRole: Under-dosedPure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.35–0.6%

TRIHEPTANOINRole: Key activeA synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~2.5–3%

ALLANTOINRole: Under-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.55–0.8%

ZINC PCARole: Key activeA compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing~1.1–1.3%

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~0.7–1%

HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACIDRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin~0.75–1.1%

PHYTOSTEROLSRole: Key activeLipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function~0.6–0.85%

Anti-aging

NIACINAMIDE at ~2.1–2.5% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.

These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: folic acid, hexapeptide-11, oligopeptide-1, oligopeptide-3.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

OLIGOPEPTIDE-3Role: HeroA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.3–0.6%

HEXAPEPTIDE-11Role: Key activeA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.3–0.6%

OLIGOPEPTIDE-1Role: Key activeA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.3–0.6%

TOCOPHEROLRole: Under-dosedPure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.35–0.6%

FOLIC ACIDRole: Key activeCan help stimulate collagen production in skin. While available studies are promising, more research is needed to confirm the efficacy in skin~0.35–0.65%

Evens skin tone

NIACINAMIDE at ~2.1–2.5% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

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.~5.5–6.7%

TriheptanoinRole: Key activeA synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~2.5–3%

Saccharide isomerateRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~1.7–2.1%

SqualeneRole: Key activeAn oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast~1.4–1.7%

Zinc pcaRole: Key activeA compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing~1.1–1.3%

Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin~0.75–1.1%

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~0.7–1%

Phytosteryl macadamiateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.55–0.85%

PhytosterolsRole: Key activeLipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function~0.6–0.85%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.6%

Folic acidRole: Key activeCan help stimulate collagen production in skin. While available studies are promising, more research is needed to confirm the efficacy in skin~0.35–0.65%

Oligopeptide-3Role: Key activeA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.3–0.6%

Oligopeptide-1Role: Key activeA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.3–0.6%

Hexapeptide-11Role: Key activeA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.3–0.6%

GlucoseRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function~0.35–0.6%

Irritancy

10 low-risk flags; mostly mild

Some risk

We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

PhytosterolsLipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier functionLow~0.6–0.85%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.5–0.7%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)Low~0.3–0.6%est.

C12-20 alkyl glucosideHelps water and oil mix togetherLow~0.3–0.6%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateUsed to improve stability of the formulationLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Potassium sorbateA preservativeLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHLow~0.25–0.45%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 productsLow~0.2–0.35%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureLow~0.2–0.4%est.

Comedogenic

Lithothamnion calcareum extract ~0.3–0.6% — 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

Lithothamnion calcareum extractA mineral-rich extract from red algae. Might be able to help attract water to the upper layer of the skinHigh~0.3–0.6%est.

SqualeneAn oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeastMed~1.4–1.7%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

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