Zelens Z-22 Absolute Face Oil
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingCamellia oleifera seed oil, Squalane + 7 moreGood evidence
“A blend of 22 precious oils, carefully selected for their distinctive skin-restorative properties – from Basil and Bergamot to Rosehip Seed and Rosemary – this lightweight formula reinforces the skin’s natural barrier whilst providing an extra layer of moisture to plump, smooth and strengthen all skin types.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Anti-agingCamellia sinensis leaf extract, TocopherolLimited evidence
“At the cutting edge of high-performance, anti-ageing skin care, Zelens products combine breakthrough active biotechnology ingredients with a unique blend of plant-derived molecules, to deliver proven, visible results.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - camellia sinensis leaf extract - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
This ingredient camellia sinensis leaf extract might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.
Evens skin toneCamellia sinensis leaf extractWeak evidence
“With incredible anti-ageing power, the unique vitamin and fatty acid-rich formula helps restore elasticity and tone whilst plumping and brightening skin for a radiant, younger-looking complexion.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Rosa canina fruit oil + 4 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) 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?
Irritancy17 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium bergamia peel oil, Parfum + 15 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Perilla frutescens seed oil~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Oryza sativa bran/germ oil~9.1–13.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Camellia oleifera seed oil~5.8–8.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that does not leave a greasy finish
More about Camellia oleifera seed oilSqualane~4.4–6.6%
- 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 SqualaneCetearyl ethylhexanoate~3.4–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Cetearyl ethylhexanoateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideIsopropyl myristate~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateRosa canina fruit oil~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
More about Rosa canina fruit oilVitis vinifera seed oil~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilCitrus aurantium bergamia peel oil~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Parfum~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumTocopherol~0.5–1.15%
- 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 TocopherolCitrus limon peel oil~0.4–0.95%
Citrus aurantium leaf oil~0.35–0.85%
Litsea cubeba fruit oil~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil with a lemon-like smell that is extracted from a fruit grown in Asia. Used as a fragrance
More about Litsea cubeba fruit oilCitrus aurantium peel oil~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cymbopogon citratus leaf oil~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Elettaria cardamomum seed oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lavandula angustifolia herb oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Is a common allergen and irritant
More about Lavandula angustifolia herb oilRosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilPinus pinaster twig leaf oil~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pelargonium graveolens leaf oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Pelargonium graveolens leaf oilRosa centifolia flower oil~0.2–0.75%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractCitrus aurantium peel oil expressed~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus aurantium amara flower extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance for its citrus smell. Can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium amara flower extractJasminum officinale flower oil~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cistus ladaniferus leaf oil~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ocimum basilicum herb oil~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Limonene~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.15%
Citral~0.01–0.1%
Geraniol~0.01–0.05%
Citronellol~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Perilla frutescens seed oil, Oryza sativa bran/germ oil, Camellia oleifera seed oil, Squalane, Cetearyl ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Isopropyl myristate, Rosa canina fruit oil, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia peel oil, Parfum, Tocopherol, Citrus limon peel oil, Citrus aurantium leaf oil, Litsea cubeba fruit oil, Citrus aurantium peel oil, Cymbopogon citratus leaf oil, Elettaria cardamomum seed oil, Lavandula angustifolia herb oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Pinus pinaster twig leaf oil, Pelargonium graveolens leaf oil, Rosa centifolia flower oil, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Citrus aurantium peel oil expressed, Citrus aurantium amara flower extract, Jasminum officinale flower oil, Cistus ladaniferus leaf oil, Ocimum basilicum herb oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Geraniol, Citronellol
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Occupational contact dermatitis due to essential oilsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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