Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPalmitoyl tripeptide-5, Panthenol + 28 moreStrong evidence
“Velvet Firming Cream”
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:
arginine, betaine.
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: arginine, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, panthenol
Anti-agingAdenosine, Lysine + 4 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lysine, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, threonine.
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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Cysteine, Adenosine + 2 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (cysteine) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.3–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinCetearyl alcohol~3.5–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholDipropylene glycol~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolCyclohexasiloxane~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about Cyclohexasiloxane1,2-hexanediol~0.7–1.05%
Caprylic acid~1.5–1.9%
Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin)~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin)Hydrogenated polydecene~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Hydrogenated polydeceneDicaprylyl ether~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherNiacinamide~0.6–0.9%
- 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 NiacinamideDimethicone~0.55–0.85%
- 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 DimethiconeVinyl dimethicone~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to create a nice product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Vinyl dimethiconeCetearyl olivate~0.45–0.65%
Glyceryl stearate se~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seBetaine~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetainePanthenol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolZea mays kernel extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Malus domestica fruit extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Malus domestica fruit extractHydrogenated lecithin~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinBehenyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholSorbitan olivate~0.25–0.45%
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerGlucose~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseGlycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethiconol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolPolyglyceryl-10 myristate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cholesterol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAdenosine~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might 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)
More about AdenosineDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Ceramide np~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidGlucose~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucosePalmitoyl tripeptide-5~0.2–0.35%
- 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-5Glycerin~0.25–0.45%
- 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 GlycerinGlutamine~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Arginine~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineTocopherol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure 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
More about TocopherolLeucine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carbomer~0.25–0.4%
- 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 CarbomerLysine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An 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
More about LysineTyrosine~0.2–0.4%
Phenylalanine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Valine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Threonine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An 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
More about ThreonineProline~0.2–0.4%
Isoleucine~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function
More about IsoleucineHistidine~0.15–0.3%
Methionine~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cysteine~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin and might be helpful against hyperpigmentation
More about CysteineHydroxyacetophenone~0.1–0.15%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Dipropylene glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylic acid, Unknown, Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin), Hydrogenated polydecene, Dicaprylyl ether, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Vinyl dimethicone, Cetearyl olivate, Glyceryl stearate se, Betaine, Unknown, Panthenol, Zea mays kernel extract, Malus domestica fruit extract, Hydrogenated lecithin, Behenyl alcohol, Sorbitan olivate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Glucose, Unknown, Glycol, Dimethiconol, Polyglyceryl-10 myristate, Cholesterol, Xanthan gum, Adenosine, Disodium edta, Ceramide np, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Glucose, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Glycerin, Glutamine, Unknown, Arginine, Tocopherol, Leucine, Carbomer, Lysine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin
Compare prices
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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.
| VARUZAVelvet Firming CreamYOUR PRODUCT | ACWELLLicorice pH Balancing Extreme Moisture Cream 55ml | MISSHAActibarrier Strong Moist Cream INTENSIVE | RejuranTurnover Cream Enhanced 50ml | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 86% | 83% |
| Price | — | $21.03 | $28.11 | $24.54 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 16 of 21 | 14 of 21 | 8 of 21 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Ns | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Pentapeptide-18 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"VARUZA - Velvet Firming Cream" 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 (panthenol, arginine, betaine, glycerin and histidine) 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 (ceramide np, cholesterol, vinyl dimethicone, arginine and dimethicone) 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
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide np 0.25% - 0.45%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-5 0.20% - 0.35%). 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.
- Adenosine 0.20% - 0.35%. 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).
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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Polyene Group as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 4
- 5
- 6
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