All skin types, including oily or acne-prone, see skin benefits from adding moisturizers to their skincare routine. Moisturizers include water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients to provide hydration and moisture to the skin, which help to reinforce its protective barrier. There are several formulations on the market, from gel creams to luxe, nourishing options, to address your specific skin concerns. But, not all are created equal.
If you've been a Starlight Glow Getter for some time, you know our approach to formulating products based on the comedogenic, irritant, and toxicity scales. Need a refresh?
Comedogenic
The comedogenic scale is a rating system that indicates how likely a specific ingredient is to clog pores. This rating is essential for those with acne-prone skin and ranges from 0-5, with zero being non-comedogenic and five being severely comedogenic. This scale matters for every age and skin type. Clogged pores not only cause congestion but also block ingredient penetration. No ingredient penetration = ineffective products and no results.
Irritation
Irritation describes ingredients in skincare and cosmetics that produce, you guessed it, skin irritation. Irritants include a variety of ingredients, such as essential oils, drying alcohols, and fragrances, both natural and synthetic. The effects of irritants are often immediately apparent and cause sensations of skin tightening, tingling, or burning, but, in other instances, the effects of irritants occur over time, causing damage below the skin surface.
Safety
The safety index assesses ingredients on a scale of 1-10 for the likelihood of dangerous/toxic ingredients. The lower the rating, the lower the risk an ingredient is. Unlike comedogenic and irritation, safety is a comprehensive rating that reviews long-term usage and exposure, according to reports from credible sources, like the FDA. The purpose of assessing the safety of an ingredient is to determine the risk for long-term injury to your skin, cells, and your body as a whole.
Now, for the main event. We've taken two of Sephora's top-selling moisturizers and run them through our rating scales in contrast to our very own StarLIGHT and StarLUX moisturizers. The results? Well, keep reading...
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream vs. StarLIGHT Moisturizer
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream
Comedogenic Ingredients
Carbomer (1)
Butylene Glycol (1)
Tocopherol (3)
Irritants
Carbomer
Tocopherol
Fragrances
Oils
Limmanthes Alba Seed Oil
The Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream contains several ingredients that rank on the comedogenic scale, making it an unsafe choice for all skin types. Carbomer and Butylene Glycol, which rate 1 on the comedogenic scale, may clog pores and lead to breakouts for those with acne-prone skin.
Tocopherol, an ingredient that has a comedogenic rating of 3, poses a risk of pore blockage. Carbomer and Tocopherol as irritants, coupled with the presence of fragrance and Limmanthes Alba Seed Oil, increases the likelihood of skin irritation. Due to these factors, those with sensitive or acne-prone skin should not use this moisturizer.
Starlight Skin StarLIGHT Moisturizer
Instead, we recommend clients opt for Starlight Skin's StarLIGHT Moisturizer. An oil-free, clarifying hydrator, it is a breakthrough formula that supercharges and balances skin with a quickly absorbing, lightweight texture. This dream cream uses Sodium PCA to accelerate skin rejuvenation, while a macadamia-derived natural emollient and a vegan hyaluronic acid keep skin supple and shine-free.
Formulated Without:
Oils
Comedogenic ingredients
Irritating Fragrances and dyes
PEGS
Parabens,
Animal-cruelty
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides vs. Starlight Skin StarLUX Moisturizer
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides
Comedogenic Ingredients
Caprylic Triglyceride (1)
Isopropyl Triglyceride (5)
Glyceryl Stearate SE (3)
Cetearyl Alcohol (2)
Palmitic Acid (3)
Stearic Acid (2)
Ceteareth-20 (2)
Tocopherol (3)
Carbomer (1)
Oils
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Irritants
Glyceryl Stearate SE
Cetearyl Alcohol
Tocopherol
Carbomer
Drunk Elephant's Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides has to be the most popular moisturizer we debunk for clients with dry or dehydrated skin. Marketed as a "rescue cream," it contains a plethora of comedogenic ingredients, making it a dangerous choice for those with clogged pores or acne-prone and sensitive skin types. Isopropyl Triglyceride, a highly comedogenic ingredient that rates a 5 on the scale, increases the likelihood of pore blockage and breakouts. Other ingredients such as Glyceryl Stearate SE (3), Cetearyl Alcohol (2), Palmitic Acid (3), and Stearic Acid (2) are known to clog pores and cause acne.
Furthermore, the presence of several oils, including Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, and Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, is known to lead to skin irritation and breakouts. Other irritants include Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, and Carbomer, which can further aggravate sensitive skin. Due to these factors, this is a product we highly recommend avoiding.
Starlight Skin StarLUX Moisturizer
Instead, we recommend clients opt for Starlight Skin's StarLUX Moisturizer. This rejuvenating moisturizer stimulates cellular metabolism and optimal luminosity. A dehydration dream cream, it offers a thirst-quenching treatment and a powerful complex of peptides to illuminate the complexion and fortify tone and elasticity. Silicone-free, yet intensely protective, skin will feel nourished by this soufflé-textured hydrator that delivers the perfect blend of antioxidants and natural emollients to retain a radiant appearance. This moisturizer does contain 100% Argan oil, but if your skin is reactive to oils, opt for StarLIGHT Moisturizer instead.
Formulated Without:
Comedogenic ingredients
Irritating Fragrances and dyes
PEGS
Parabens,
Animal-cruelty
If you're using the Laneige or Drunk Elephant moisturizers listed above, stop immediately! Not only do they contain harmful ingredients, but they also block good ingredients from effectively penetrating the skin and providing results. Not sure where to start? Book a 100% free skin consultation with a Starlight Glow Master, or download the latest version of our Debunk Dictionary today.
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