Too Cool For School

Caviar Lime Hydra Eye Treatment

Name: Too Cool For School - Caviar Lime Hydra Eye Treatment
Brand: Too Cool For School

Efficacy 100/100·High irritancy

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

"Too Cool For School - Caviar Lime Hydra Eye Treatment" is a well-rounded moisturizing product.

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Product summary

"Too Cool For School - Caviar Lime Hydra Eye Treatment" 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. Humectants in this product (biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid) 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). Emollients in this formulation (jojoba esters, vinyl dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol, diisostearyl malate and ethylhexyl palmitate) 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 love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 2.00% - 2.40%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.25% - 0.45%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
Adenosine 0.25% - 0.50%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).

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

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.

Product claims breakdown

Anti-aging

4 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong evidence

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

These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: folic acid.

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.

NIACINAMIDERole: HeroIs 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~2–2.4%

ADENOSINERole: Key activeMight help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)~0.25–0.5%

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~0.2–0.4%

HYALURONIC ACIDRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation~0.1–0.2%

Moisturizing

14 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: biosaccharide gum-1, 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: jojoba esters, vinyl dimethicone.

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

CYANOCOBALAMINRole: Key activeCan support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin~0.25–0.45%

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%

HYDROLYZED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANSRole: Key activeLong sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%

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~0.25–0.45%

JOJOBA ESTERSRole: Key activeAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.55–0.8%

PANTOTHENIC ACIDRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and may help reduce inflammation in skin~0.2–0.35%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.5%

SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMERRole: Key activeAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%

TRIETHYLHEXANOINRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~2.9–3.5%

VINYL DIMETHICONERole: Key activeA type of silicone that helps to create a nice product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin~0.45–0.7%

BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1Role: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin~0.25–0.45%

Evens skin tone

NIACINAMIDE at ~2–2.4% 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.

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%

TriethylhexanoinRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~2.9–3.5%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.1–1.4%

Diisostearyl malateRole: Key activeHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin~0.75–1.1%

Jojoba estersRole: Key activeAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.55–0.8%

Vinyl dimethiconeRole: Key activeA type of silicone that helps to create a nice product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin~0.45–0.7%

Ethylhexyl palmitateRole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture~0.4–0.65%

AdenosineRole: Key activeMight help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)~0.25–0.5%

Biosaccharide gum-1Role: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin~0.25–0.45%

Lupinus albus seed extractRole: Key activeA plant extract that helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%

Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerRole: Key activeAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%

Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycansRole: Key activeLong sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.5%

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~0.25–0.45%

CyanocobalaminRole: Key activeCan support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin~0.25–0.45%

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~0.2–0.4%

Pantothenic acidRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and may help reduce inflammation in skin~0.2–0.35%

PyridoxineRole: Key activeMight help neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking. It might be irritating~0.15–0.3%

Hyaluronic acidRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation~0.1–0.2%

Irritancy

17 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 17 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Microcitrus australasica fruit extractMost likely used for its fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivityHigh~1.2–1.5%est.

Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAn essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.5%est.

Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilA plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.25–0.45%est.

Ascorbic acidThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of agingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.

PyridoxineMight help neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking. It might be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.

Raspberry ketoneUsed as a fragrance. It can reduce skin pigmentation, but it is not safe to use for these purposes in high concentrations as use of raspberry ketone and its derivative is linked to causing loss of skin pigmentation in people (leukoderma)High~0.1–0.15%est.

TriethylhexanoinHelps soften the upper layer of the skinLow~2.9–3.5%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureLow~1.6–2%est.

Diisostearyl malateHelps to soften the upper layer of the skinLow~0.75–1.1%est.

Sucrose polystearateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.6–0.9%est.

Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionLow~0.55–0.8%est.

Cetearyl glucosideHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product textureLow~0.45–0.65%est.

HydroxyacetophenoneUsed to increase effectiveness of preservativesLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Hydrolyzed hibiscus esculentus extractA plant extract that might contain a peptide (Myoxinol). It could be helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-aging effect, but the research is lacking and it is rarely used in a high enough concentrationLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Lupinus albus seed extractA plant extract that helps soften the upper layer of the skinLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerAttracts water into the upper layer of the skinLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Thiamine hclCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is studied as a mosquito repellentLow~0.15–0.3%est.

Comedogenic

Ethylhexyl palmitate ~0.4–0.65% — 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

Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product textureHigh~0.4–0.65%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product textureMed~1.1–1.4%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels