Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Dimethicone + 11 moreStrong evidence
“Halo Plumping Dew”
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:
algae extract, 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: dimethicone, algae extract.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Algae extractStrong evidence
“Infused with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, the formula plumps skin with moisture encouraging a refreshed and youthful appearance.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Hydroxyethyl ureaStrong evidence
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: hydroxyethyl urea.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideStrong evidence
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroxyethyl urea, 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 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%
Glycerin~4.1–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinDimethicone~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 DimethiconeIsopropyl isostearate~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Isopropyl isostearatePpg-15 stearyl ether~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Ppg-15 stearyl etherNiacinamide~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is 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
More about NiacinamideHydroxyethyl urea~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A derivative of urea, a compound that is naturally present in skin. Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients
More about Hydroxyethyl ureaSodium polyaspartate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
More about Sodium polyaspartateSodium hyaluronate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAlgae extract~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractCaffeine~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineTrehalose~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseSorbitol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolPropanediol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about Propanediol1,2-hexanediol~0.2–0.8%
Silica~0.45–1%
Synthetic fluorphlogopite~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products
More about Synthetic fluorphlogopiteXanthan gum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDecyl glucoside~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.6%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolButylene glycol~0.1–0.5%
- 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 glycolParfum~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLimonene~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneHexyl cinnamal~0.1–0.4%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.4%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMica~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaTitanium dioxide~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works 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
More about Titanium dioxideCi 77891~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Iron oxides~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesCi 77491~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ci 17200~0.05–0.15%
Ci 73360~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isopropyl isostearate, Ppg-15 stearyl ether, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl urea, Sodium polyaspartate, Sodium hyaluronate, Algae extract, Caffeine, Trehalose, Sorbitol, Propanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, Silica, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Xanthan gum, Decyl glucoside, Sodium hydroxide, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Butylene glycol, Parfum, Limonene, Hexyl cinnamal, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Iron oxides, Ci 77491, Ci 17200, Ci 73360
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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.
| SmashboxHalo Plumping DewYOUR PRODUCT | SMASHBOX COSMETICSSMASHBOX Halo Plumping Dew | Too FacedHangover Pillow Cream Ultra-Nourishing Night Cream | OriginsPlantscription Retinol Night Moisturizer with Alpine Flower | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 98% | 93% | 90% |
| Price | $35.97 | $26.84−$9.13 | $45.48+$9.51 | $79.08+$43.11 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 9 | 8 of 9 | 8 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | — | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 | Retinol |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Smashbox - Halo Plumping Dew" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Algae extract, glycerin, hydroxyethyl urea, sodium hyaluronate and trehalose in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Algae extract, dimethicone, caprylyl glycol, isopropyl isostearate and ppg-15 stearyl ether in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (1.70% - 2.50%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Smashbox" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 58.66CA$ in Canada, for 30.14A$ in Australia, for 17.80$ in the United States and from 29.00£ up to 51.99£ 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
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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