Wander Beauty Glow Ahead Illuminating Oil
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing8 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Our blend of age-defying oils help restore skin’s moisture and provide a youthful glow.”
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, 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: arginine, ribes nigrum seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Our blend of age-defying oils help restore skin’s moisture and provide a youthful glow.”
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Rosa damascena flower oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.9%
- 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 GlycerinPropanediol~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolIsopentyldiol~2.7–4.1%
Niacinamide~2–3%
- 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 NiacinamidePanthenol~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about Panthenol1,2-hexanediol~0.5–1.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMicrocrystalline cellulose~1.1–1.7%
Synthetic fluorphlogopite~0.9–1.3%
- 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 fluorphlogopitePpg-26-buteth-26~0.5–1.2%
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilArginine~0.35–0.8%
- 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 ArginineTitanium dioxide~0.4–0.95%
- 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 dioxideAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.8%
- 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 crosspolymerButylene glycol~0.3–0.75%
- 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 glycolCellulose gum~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.7%
Carbomer~0.15–0.65%
- 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 CarbomerDisodium edta~0.15–0.6%
Polysorbate 60~0.15–0.65%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateRosa damascena flower oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower oilCi 14700~0.15–0.55%
Symphytum officinale leaf extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has an anti-bacterial effect
More about Symphytum officinale leaf extractRibes nigrum seed oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.
More about Ribes nigrum seed oilOctyldodecanol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolOctyldodecyl oleate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Paeonia suffruticosa root extract~0.1–0.35%
Ci 42090~0.1–0.3%
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractMorus alba root extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polygonum multiflorum root extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, 1,2-hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Microcrystalline cellulose, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Arginine, Titanium dioxide, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Butylene glycol, Cellulose gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Disodium edta, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Rosa damascena flower oil, Ci 14700, Symphytum officinale leaf extract, Ribes nigrum seed oil, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodecyl oleate, Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, Paeonia suffruticosa root extract, Ci 42090, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Morus alba root extract, Polygonum multiflorum root extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
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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.
| Wander BeautyGlow Ahead Illuminating OilYOUR PRODUCT | OlayCollagen Peptide 24 Moisturizer | CetaphilRestoring Water Gel | BootsIngredients Multibiotic Moisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 86% | 86% |
| Price | $42.00 | $9.95−$32.05 | $19.79−$22.21 | $6.61−$35.39 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 | Anhydroxylitol | Mineral Oil |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Wander Beauty - Glow Ahead Illuminating Oil" works well for moisturizing the skin. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Wander Beauty - Glow Ahead Illuminating Oil ticks this box. Panthenol, arginine, glycerin and butylene glycol 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). Emollients in this formulation (ribes nigrum seed oil, arginine and octyldodecanol) 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% - 3.00%. 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 formulation also includes panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 1.60% - 2.40% concentration. In this concentration, panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Wander Beauty" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 42.00$ in the United States, for 80.00A$ in Australia and for 58.80CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
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