Works for
Anti-agingSerine, Retinyl palmitate + 3 moreMay help
“anti-aging and hydrating effects”
This product contains retinyl palmitate, serine. There is some human evidence that these ingredients help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and firmness, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best anti-aging ingredients.
MoisturizingSqualane, Imperata cylindrica root extract + 10 moreWorks
“intense hydration activating complex”
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: squalane, caprylyl glycol.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Imperata cylindrica root extract, Tocopheryl acetate + 1 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (imperata cylindrica root extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is some human evidence for this effect in skin, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best antioxidants.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Retinyl palmitate, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateMay help
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl palmitate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Rosa damascena flower oilMedium 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~40–60%
Squalane~5.2–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneMethyl glucose isostearate~3.6–5.4%
Imperata cylindrica root extract~2.8–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Imperata cylindrica root extractGlycerin~2.2–3.3%
- 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 GlycerinSodium caprylate~1.8–2.7%
Sodium pca~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaSimethicone~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to create nice product texture and is used as an anti-foaming agent
More about SimethiconeSerine~1.1–1.7%
- 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 SerineAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTocopheryl acetate~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A 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.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAscorbyl tetraisopalmitate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
More about Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitatePichia anomala extract~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Retinyl palmitate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateBiosaccharide gum-1~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps 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
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Hyaluronic acid~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One 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
More about Hyaluronic acidRosa damascena flower oil~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower oilSorbic acid~0.1–0.4%
Citric acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPolysorbate 80~0.1–0.4%
Carbomer~0.05–0.25%
- 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 CarbomerCaprylyl glycol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolIsohexadecane~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneIngredient list view
Water, Squalane, Methyl glucose isostearate, Imperata cylindrica root extract, Glycerin, Sodium caprylate, Unknown, Unknown, Sodium pca, Simethicone, Serine, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, Pichia anomala extract, Retinyl palmitate, Biosaccharide gum-1, Hyaluronic acid, Unknown, Rosa damascena flower oil, Unknown, Sorbic acid, Citric acid, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Caprylyl glycol, Isohexadecane
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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.
| Yon-Ka ParisHydra N1 SerumYOUR PRODUCT | BalmLabsClearBalm Serum Hydrator | BasiclabEsteticus - serum with 10 % trehalose, peptide and hyaluronic acid | BABORSkinovage Calming Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 34% | 34% | 34% |
| Price | — | — | — | $23.28 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Acetyl Octapeptide-3 | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Arencia Deep Water Surge Hydrating Serum 30Global Beauty Care Hydrating Double Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Allergic contact dermatitis from grassespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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