Works for
MoisturizingTrifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2, Urea + 8 moreWorks well
“It leads to self moisturizing skin and enhances the penetration and persistence of beauty ingredients.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, dextran.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2, urea
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Urea, Hydroxyethyl urea + 1 moreWorks well
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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2May help
This product contains trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2. 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~5.4–6.7%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~4.6–5.6%
- 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 glycolPentylene glycol~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolHuman adipocyte conditioned media extract~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aphanothece sacrum polysaccharide~2.3–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Salix alba bark extract~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractAscorbyl hyaluronate~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTrifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2~1.2–1.4%
- 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 Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2Urea~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally 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
More about Urea1,2-hexanediol~0.6–0.9%
Diglycerin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DiglycerinPeg-12 glyceryl dimyristate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyethyl urea~0.35–0.65%
- 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 ureaBetaine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineHydrogenated lecithin~0.25–0.45%
- 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 lecithinXanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBis-ethoxydiglycol cyclohexane 1,4-dicarboxylate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateDextran~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the most upper layer of the skin. Derived from sugar
More about DextranSodium polyphosphate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Pentylene glycol, Human adipocyte conditioned media extract, Aphanothece sacrum polysaccharide, Salix alba bark extract, Ascorbyl hyaluronate, Sodium hyaluronate, Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2, Unknown, Urea, 1,2-hexanediol, Diglycerin, Peg-12 glyceryl dimyristate, Hydroxyethyl urea, Betaine, Hydrogenated lecithin, Xanthan gum, Bis-ethoxydiglycol cyclohexane 1,4-dicarboxylate, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Dextran, Sodium polyphosphate, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| WABIOStem Active LotionYOUR PRODUCT | DarphinIdeal Resource Anti-Age & Radiance Eye Contour Radiance Repair Cream | NITTO SEIKIIkukin Probiotic Lotion | The Grey MenCOMFORT+ FACE CREAM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 44% | 41% |
| Price | $80.30 | — | $52.60−$27.70 | $93.90+$13.60 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 3 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Knotgrass Extract | Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Gel Cream Fragrance FreeIndeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly
Product summary
"WABIO - Stem Active Lotion" 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 (urea, betaine, dextran, diglycerin and glycerin) 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 (pentylene 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
- This moisturizer also contains Peptides (trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2 1.50% - 1.90%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that they are helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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 for 91.90$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extractonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Topical urea in skincare: A reviewpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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