this works

Perfect Cleavage Firming Lotion

Name: this works - Perfect Cleavage Firming Lotion
Brand: this works

Efficacy 58/100·High irritancy

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 2 of 3 advertised claims delivered

"this works - Perfect Cleavage Firming Lotion" is a well-rounded moisturizing product.

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Product summary

"this works - Perfect Cleavage Firming Lotion" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. This works - Perfect Cleavage Firming Lotion ticks this box. Humectants in this product (urea, galactoarabinan, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and sodium lactate) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Ribes nigrum seed oil, theobroma cacao seed butter, vitis vinifera seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride and cetearyl alcohol 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.

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

Irritation risk

There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. 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.

Price

The product retails from 38.00$ up to 70.00$ in the United States, for 38.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 88.20CA$ in Canada.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

12 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: galactoarabinan, 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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, ribes nigrum seed oil.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea

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)~0.25–0.45%

UREARole: Key activeNaturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations~0.25–0.45%

GALACTOARABINANRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.7–1.05%

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~4.2–5.2%

RIBES NIGRUM SEED OILRole: Key activeAn emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.~1.5–1.8%

SERINERole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~0.25–0.45%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%

SODIUM LACTATERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product~0.25–0.45%

THEOBROMA CACAO SEED BUTTERRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~0.6–0.85%

ALLANTOINRole: Under-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.25–0.5%

VITIS VINIFERA SEED OILRole: Key activeA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~1.7–2.1%

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDERole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~6.2–7.6%

Anti-aging

SERINE at ~0.25–0.45% + 1 more curated active

Good evidence

This product contains serine. This ingredient 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.

SERINERole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~0.25–0.45%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~6.2–7.6%

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~4.2–5.2%

Glyceryl stearate seRole: Key activeUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient~2.3–2.9%

Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilRole: Key activeAn emollient that softens the skin~2–2.5%

Vitis vinifera seed oilRole: Key activeA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~1.7–2.1%

Ribes nigrum seed oilRole: Key activeAn emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.~1.5–1.8%

GalactoarabinanRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.7–1.05%

Theobroma cacao seed butterRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~0.6–0.85%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.5–0.75%

PullulanRole: Key activeCreates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect~0.35–0.6%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%

Sodium lactateRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product~0.25–0.45%

UreaRole: Key activeNaturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations~0.25–0.45%

Hydrolyzed vegetable proteinRole: Key active~0.25–0.45%

Evens skin tone

1 ingredient contributes at the levels below

Weak evidence

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low

Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~6.2–7.6%

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~4.2–5.2%

Glyceryl stearate seRole: Key activeUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient~2.3–2.9%

Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilRole: Key activeAn emollient that softens the skin~2–2.5%

Vitis vinifera seed oilRole: Key activeA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~1.7–2.1%

Ribes nigrum seed oilRole: Key activeAn emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.~1.5–1.8%

GalactoarabinanRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.7–1.05%

Theobroma cacao seed butterRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~0.6–0.85%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.5–0.75%

PullulanRole: Key activeCreates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect~0.35–0.6%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%

SerineRole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~0.25–0.45%

Sodium lactateRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product~0.25–0.45%

Hydrolyzed vegetable proteinRole: Key active~0.25–0.45%

Irritancy

29 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 29 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.45–0.7%est.

PullulanCreates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effectHigh~0.35–0.6%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.25–0.45%est.

Pyrus malus juiceApple juice. Might help attract water to the skin. Can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.

Panax ginseng root extractA plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.5%est.

LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.4%est.

LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.2–0.4%est.

GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.4%est.

CitronellolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.35%est.

Benzyl benzoateFragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.

FarnesolAdded to create a nice product smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.25%est.

Benzyl salicylateA fragrance. Is a likely irritantHigh~0.15–0.3%est.

CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.1–0.15%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 glycerinLow~6.2–7.6%est.

Vitis vinifera seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant propertiesLow~1.7–2.1%est.

Ribes nigrum seed oilAn emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.Low~1.5–1.8%est.

Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 estersHelp oil and water mix togetherLow~0.95–1.15%est.

GalactoarabinanHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skinLow~0.7–1.05%est.

Sodium stearoyl lactylateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.45–0.65%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.Low~0.3–0.55%est.

Sodium stearoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Dehydroacetic acidA preservativeLow~0.25–0.45%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~0.25–0.45%est.

PvpHelps evenly disperse other ingredients in a formulation and create an even layer on the surface of the skinLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Sodium lactateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the productLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Potassium sorbateA preservativeLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Benzoic acidA preservativeLow~0.15–0.3%est.

Comedogenic

5 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin

High 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

Theobroma cacao seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effectHigh~0.6–0.85%est.

Macrocystis pyrifera extract—High~0.25–0.45%est.

Glyceryl stearate seUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollientMed~2.3–2.9%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product textureMed~0.5–0.75%est.

Triticum vulgare seed extract—Med~0.25–0.45%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels