HOME | PRODUCTS REVIEWS/DECODING | INGREDIENTS | ROUTINE ORDER | SKINCARE MYTHS | TERMINOLOGY | GUIDE | BLOGS
CeraVe
PM Facial Mosturizing Lotion
Niacinamide-containing night creams are best for calming skin while you sleep. Look for components like hyaluronic acid and ceramides for the most effective hydration and skin-barrier replenishment that aids in the skin's ability to hold onto moisture.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview of ingredients
Aqua/​Water/​Eau, Glycerin, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Highlights
Ultra-lightweight night cream
no fragrance
oil-free
Non comedogenic
MVE Technology
Ingredients
Anti-acne: Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Antimicrobial/antibacterial: Phytosphingosine
Buffering: Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate
Cell-communicating ingredients: Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Chelating: Disodium EDTA
Emollient: Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol
Emulsifying: Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Moisturizer/humectant: Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol
Preservative: Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin brightening: Niacinamide
Skin-identical ingredients: Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine
Solvent: Aqua/​Water/​Eau
Surfactant/cleansing: Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Viscosity controlling: Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients explained
ALSO-CALLED: Water | WHAT-IT-DOES: solvent
Aqua (Water)/Eau:The Vital Hydrator
The unsung star in skincare and cleaning products is aqua, also known as water. The most typical component of skincare. The majority of the time, it appears right at the top of the ingredient list, indicating that it is the greatest component of the product. Water, the ultimate hydrator, is the foundation of every skincare solution. Its primary function is to restore the skin's moisture levels, resulting in proper hydration and a flawless complexion. Water serves as a base for the other components, enabling them to efficiently permeate the skin and perform their magic.
Aqua satisfies the skin's thirst and replaces moisture that has been lost while acting as a gentle and efficient moisturizing agent in skincare. It is suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, because of its light weight and non-comedogenic properties.
Aqua acts as a crucial carrier in cleaning goods, dissolving pollutants and delicately removing filth and grime. Its solvent qualities make it the ideal foundation for mild cleansers that remove impurities from the face without removing its natural oils.
CeraVe Moisturizer
WHAT-IT-DOES: ALSO-CALLED: Glycerol | WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient, moisturizer/humectant | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 0
Superstar Glycerin
A natural humectant found in our skin. A very common, affordable, efficient, and safe chemical that has been in use for more than 50 years. A basic moisturizer that is much more than that: It retains our skin's lipids in a healthy (liquid crystal) state between our skin cells, guards against irritation, and aids in barrier restoration. Effective at concentrations as low as 3%, with further advantages for dry skin at 20–40% . Using high-glycerin moisturizers to treat really dry skin is fantastic.
WHAT-IT-DOES: Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
This substance, which is derived from coconut oil, works as a thin emollient to moisturize skin without blocking pores. It's a pleasant component that simply feels good on the skin, is highly well tolerated by all skin types, and is simple to use into formulations. The reason it's such a hit!
ALSO-CALLED: vitamin B3, nicotinamide | WHAT-IT-DOES: cell-communicating ingredient, skin brightening, anti-acne, moisturizer/humectant
Niacinamide: The Powerhouse
Nicotinamide, often known as vitamin B3, is a cellular communicator, skin brightener, anti-acne agent, and humectant. a multifaceted skincare superstar with a number of skin advantages that have been demonstrated Excellent wrinkle-smoothing and anti-aging substances utilized at a concentration of 4-5% acetyl glucosamine and amino sugar alone or in combination fade brown patches. increases the production of ceramides, which strengthen and improve the skin barrier and improve skin moisture. can aid in the improvement of a number of skin disorders, including rosacea, acne, and atopic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Alcohol
WHAT-IT-DOES: emollient, viscosity controlling, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, surfactant/cleansing | IRRITANCY: 1 | COMEDOGENICITY: 2
A very popular multipurpose component that gives creams and lotions body and an emollient sensation for your skin. Despite the fact that it is not an emulsifier in and of itself, it aids in the stabilization of oil-water mixtures (emulsions). The majority of cream-type formulations typically use it at a level of 2-3%. It is a mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, two additional emollient fatty alcohols. Although it is an alcohol chemically speaking (it has a -OH group in its molecule), it has completely distinct qualities from drying or low molecular weight alcohols like denat. alcohol. Since fatty alcohols contain a very lengthy oil-soluble (and hence emollient) tail component, they are completely safe for use on skin.
Potassium Phosphate
WHAT-IT-DOES: buffering
It's a little additive that aids in adjusting the pH of a cosmetic composition to the ideal level.
ALSO-CALLED: Ceramide 3 | WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient
Goodie: Ceramide NP
One of the numerous kinds of ceramides that occur naturally in the epidermis. Ceramides serve a crucial function in maintaining a good skin barrier and keeping the skin moisturized, making up around 50% of the gooey substance between our skin cells. In combination with its friend, Ceramide 1, it performs even better.
Goodie: Ceramide AP
A particular kind of ceramide that occurs naturally in the epidermis. Ceramides, which make up 50% of the gooey substance found in between our skin cells, are crucial for maintaining a good skin barrier and keeping the skin moisturized.
Goodie: Ceramide EOP
There is good news: there is a reason why ceramides are currently receiving so much attention. But first, let's quickly establish what the heck ceramides are before getting into the specifics: They are waxy lipids that are naturally present in the stratum corneum, or outer layer, of the skin. And they are present in great numbers! Extracellular matrix, which primarily consists of lipids, is the gooey substance that lies between our skin cells. And around 50% of those lipids are ceramides (the other significant lipids being cholesterol, with 25%, and fatty acids, with 15%).
Ceramide 1, also known as Ceramide EOP more recently, was the first one discovered in 1982 and is a unique snowflake. It has a special structure and contains linoleic acid, an important fatty acid. Ceramide 1 is thought to have a "binding role" in the extracellular matrix's lipid layers. Along with ceramides 4 and 7, they are essential for maintaining the integrity of the epidermis and act as the primary sites for storing linoleic acid, a fatty acid that is also crucial for barrier repair. Oh, and did I mention that alkaline pH inhibits the enzymes that aid in the formation of ceramide in our skin? Therefore, you now understand why your skin could start to feel dry after using soap.
ALSO-CALLED: Ceramide 6 | WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient
ALSO-CALLED: Ceramide 1 | WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient
A large molecule made up of numerous repeating molecules (an acrylic acid polymer), which miraculously transforms a liquid into a lovely gel formula. The thickening typically requires neutralization with a base (such as sodium hydroxide) and results in viscous, transparent gels that feel pleasant and non-tacky on the skin. It makes sense because it is a widely used and popular substance. typically used in formulations at 1% or less.
WHAT-IT-DOES: regulating the viscosity and stabilizing the emulsion | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 1
WHAT-IT-DOES: emollient | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 1
Dimethicone
The silicone that is most likely to be encountered, It is a polymer (a molecule made of repeating subunits) with a range of molecular weights and viscosities, from thin liquid to thick liquid. In terms of skincare, it gives the skin a faint gloss, a silky smooth finish, and a protective barrier (also known as an occlusive). Additionally, it works effectively to conceal fine lines and wrinkles and give skin a plump appearance (although this effect is only brief). Additionally, there are scar therapy gels on the market that use dimethicone as their primary component. Scars become softer and more elastic as a result. Since it is a non-volatile silicone, it does not evaporate from the hair and smooths it better than any other product. Depending on the nature of your hair, it could be a little challenging to wash out and result in some buildup (note that this is only true with non-volatile silicones).
Ceteareth-20
WHAT-IT-DOES: emulsifying, surfactant/cleansing | IRRITANCY: 3 | COMEDOGENICITY: 2
Emulsifiers are often used as functional additives that thicken, stabilize, and help keep water- and oil-loving components combined in applications. It is ethoxylated Cetearyl alcohol, chemically speaking, which means that some ethylene oxide was added to the fatty alcohol to boost the water-soluble portion of the molecule. The emulsifier molecule that keeps oil and water combined in creams is created as a result of the conversion of the predominantly oil soluble, emollient fatty alcohol. A decent emulsifier has 20 ethylene oxide molecules added on average, as shown by the number in the name of ceteareth emulsifiers.
WHAT-IT-DOES: surfactant/cleansing
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
It is mostly used in haircare products as an antistatic (which prevents your hair from flying around due to electricity), hair conditioning, and softening ingredient. When combined with cetearyl alcohol, they create an emulsifier duo that is simple to use, extremely stable, has great spreadability, and adds a pleasing finishing touch to the products.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
WHAT-IT-DOES: emulsifying
A supporting substance that serves as a co-emulsifier (i.e., works with other emulsifiers in the recipe to aid in the mixing of water and oil) and foam stabilizing agent. Additionally, it exhibits some antibacterial activity, increasing the efficiency of the preservative system.
Goodie: Sodium Hyaluronate
WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient, moisturizer/humectant | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 0
It is a relative of the well-known NMF hyaluronic acid (HA) in sodium form. Hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate are essentially the same thing when it comes to skincare, and the two terms are frequently used interchangeably. Despite this, sodium hyaluronate is smaller and has superior skin penetration, as you may discover if you search for "hyaluronic acid vs sodium hyaluronate" in several different locations. Chemically, this is undoubtedly false because both forms are almost identical polymers and allow for unlimited repetition of the subunits. But the real difference appears to be that the salt version is more prevalent since it is more stable, simpler to make, and less expensive.
WHAT-IT-DOES: preservative
Phenoxyethanol
It essentially serves as the current IT preventative. It is gentle and safe, but more significantly, it is not a paraben, which is generally dreaded without scientific justification. It was first used around 1950 and is still available today in up to 1% of the world's population. Green tea contains it naturally, however, the form used in cosmetics is synthetic. It offers some other benefits in addition to a high safety profile and being rather mild on the skin. It can withstand temperatures up to 85°C and functions well across a wide pH range (ph 3–10), making it suitable for usage in a variety of formulations. It frequently pairs with ethylhexylglycerin because it enhances phenoxyethanol's preservation capabilities.
Cholesterol - Goodie
WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient, emollient IRRITANCY: 0 COMEDOGENICITY: 0
It's one of the significant lipids that are naturally present in the skin's outer layer. Cholesterol makes up around 25% of the slimy substance that lies in between our skin cells. They are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and keeping the skin moisturized, working in tandem with ceramides and fatty acids. It functions as an emollient, a stabilizer, and a key skin-identical component.
WHAT-IT-DOES: chelating
Disodium EDTA
A very popular tiny helper component that prolongs the stability and niceness of products. It accomplishes this by neutralizing the metal ions in the formula (which typically enter there through water) that, if left unchecked, might lead to some undesirable modifications. Usually, only very little amounts—say, 0.1% or less—are used.
Dipotassium Phosphate
WHAT-IT-DOES: emulsifying
Dipotassium phosphate functions as a sequestrant or chelant. In actuality, it is a kind of preservative. Any formulation that contains dipotassium phosphate draws polyvalent cations like iron, nickel, or copper that would otherwise form complexes with other active ingredients and potentially oxidize the formulation.
Caprylyl Glycol
WHAT-IT-DOES: a moisturizer, humectant, and deodorant
It's a useful, multifunctional component that makes the skin feel lovely and silky. Additionally, it increases the efficiency of other preservatives, such as the now widely utilized phenoxyethanol. The combination of these two ingredients, known as Optiphen, not only helps to keep your cosmetics free from unpleasant things for a long time but also gives the finished product a pleasant feel. It's a well-known team.
Phytosphingosine - Goodie
WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient, cell-communicating ingredient, anti-acne, antimicrobial/antibacterial
It is a particular class of lipid known as a sphingoid base, which occurs naturally in the epidermis of the skin. It can be found both "free-form" and as a component of ceramides, well-known skin lipids. New research on phytosphingosine suggests that it has antibacterial and cell-communicating characteristics and is thought to be a component of the skin's natural defensive mechanism.
Xanthan Gum
WHAT-IT-DOES: Controls viscosity, stabilizes emulsions
It is one of the most widely used emulsion stabilizers and thickeners. A small amount of xanthan gum will make the mixture more gel-like if it is excessively watery. It is an excellent team player and is typically paired with other thickeners and so-called rheology modifiers (assistant chemicals that change the flow and hence the feel of the formula). Used alone, it can make the formula sticky. The average Xantha Gum consumption level is less than 1%; it often falls between 0.1% and 0.5%. By the way, Xanthan gum is completely natural; it is a polysaccharide chain created through fermentation from individual sugar molecules (glucose and sucrose). It has Ecocert approval and is employed in the food business (E415).
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
WHAT-IT-DOES: emulsifying | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 4
A natural emulsifier that gives the recipe a powdery, soft texture. It is also very soft and is suggested for products for delicate skin or infant skin.
WHAT-IT-DOES: preservative, deodorant
Ethylhexylglycerin
In addition to the current IT-preservative, phenoxyethanol, you will most likely also see ethylhexylglycerin listed as an ingredient. They get along well because ethylhexylglycerin feels wonderful on the skin and helps phenoxyethanol (and other preservatives) work more effectively. Additionally, it works well as a deodorant and is a medium spreading emollient.