Aesop Elemental Facial Barrier Cream

Aesop Elemental Facial Barrier Cream
9.2
/ 10
Moisturizing
8.5 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using Aesop Elemental Facial Barrier Cream:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Aesop Elemental Facial Barrier Cream:

  • Intense moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 9.2 out of 10.

How moisturizing is it?

Intensely moisturizing: Aesop Elemental Facial Barrier Cream has a moisturizing rating of 9.2 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Rather occlusive. It has a very high humectancy of 8.5 out of 10, primarily due to the substantial concentration of Glycerin (est. ≈6.0%), and a maximum occlusivity of 10 out of 10, mainly due to the significant content of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil (est. ≈9.0%) and Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate (est. ≈4.0%).

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Aesop Elemental Facial Barrier Cream has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Copper PCA, an ingredient marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Copper PCA provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
60
9
6
4
3
2.5
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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Ratings

All humectants
8.5
6
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
21.3
9.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
9.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 8.5 10
8.5
6
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 21.3 20
10.0
9.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
9.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 8.5 10
8.5
All humectants
8.5
6
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
9
4
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 21.3 20
10.0
All occlusives
21.3
9.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Copper PCA
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.9 3 No
All antioxidants
0.9
Tocopherol
0.3
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
0.3
Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
All soothing 0.6 5 No
All soothing
0.6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %60
Function
Origin
The most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil
Est. %9
Function
Origin
A fatty oil extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant with very unique fatty acid composition. It is used in skincare as an occlusive moisturizer and emollient that leaves the skin feeling soft and silky after application.
Glycerin
Est. %6
Function
Origin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Est. %4
Function
Origin
An emollient ester with high gloss and thickening properties.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Est. %3
Function
Origin
A semi-solid, buttery fat extracted from the seeds of the Shea tree that is a wonderful occlusive and emollient ingredient mainly comprised of fatty acids. Shea butter contains a large amount of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
A blend of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, the fatty alcohols that are derived from palm oil. It helps to create emulsions that give off a soft and silky emollient feel and also increase product thickness.
Stearic Acid
Est. %2
Function
Origin
A saturated fatty acid found in vegetable butter and animal fats. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient and also helps to maintain the barrier function of the skin.
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
A processed, butter-like castor oil. It is solely comprised of occlusive moisturizing and emollient saturated fatty acids and is best suited for dry skin. It can also act as a thickener and emulsifier.
PEG-20 Stearate
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Ceteareth-20
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A fatty alcohol emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water together, best for oil-in-water emulsions. It is also a cleansing agent. When combined with cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20 forms a mix that, according to acne.org, can be comedogenic.
Glyceryl Stearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An emollient and emulsifier typically derived from vegetable sources through a chemical reaction with glycerin. It provides stability, texture, and consistency to formulations. Its main function is to allow oil and water to mix.
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An occlusive moisturizing and emollient oil extracted from the little hard seeds inside of the red, fleshy rosehip. It contains mainly emollient fatty acids and a very high amount of antioxidant carotenoids, which give the oil its light orange color.
Coco-Caprylate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A naturally-derived or synthetically produced oil with a very light feel. An alternative to silicones, this ingredient spreads quickly and doesn't leave a residue on skin.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
The most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin

A fragrant essential oil derived from Australian sandalwood. It is primarily used in skincare as a fragrance ingredient that imparts a unique, sweet-woody aroma. It also potentially offers soothing effects and antioxidant protection.

Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A thick wax obtained from the stems of the Candelilla, or wax plant that is native to Mexico and the southern USA. Its stems are covered in wax to protect the plant from water loss. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A natural occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient, it is a blend of glycerin and two fatty acids, caprylic and capric acid. It creates an oil-based protective layer on the skin, thereby preventing water loss.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fatty oil expressed from sunflower seeds and one of the most commonly used oils in skincare. It has great emollient and occlusive moisturizing properties. Sunflower oil is one of the richest sources of vitamin E – an important skin antioxidant.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Obtained from the leaves of Carnauba wax palm, this occlusive, emollient, and film-forming wax is commonly used in lip products. It is comprised mainly of various wax esters and is one of the hardest and most resistant plant waxes.
Bisabolol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An anti-inflammatory compound found naturally in German chamomile essential oil. It has a pleasant, sweet, and floral scent. Bisabolol also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties but can cause an allergic reaction in more sensitive individuals.
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An essential oil distilled from the leaves of rosemary. It is used as a fragrance in skincare and has a spicy, earthy, camphoraceous scent. It also has antioxidant properties according to some research.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An essential oil derived from common, or true, lavender. It is used in skincare for its lovely, calming scent. Like all essential oils, however, it may cause a contact skin allergy in more sensitive individuals.
Zinc PCA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A two-part ingredient: Zinc helps to control sebum and bacteria in acne-prone skin, while skin-identical PCA is a moisturizing humectant. Zinc PCA may even boost collagen production and so is researched as a potential anti-wrinkle ingredient.
Benzoic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A preservative effective against fungi, yeast, and some bacteria. It is commonly paired with phenoxyethanol to create a broad spectrum preservation system. Benzoic acid can also serve as a pH adjuster, fragrance, and bulking agent.
Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Decyl Glucoside
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A surfactant that can function as both a cleansing agent and emulsifier. As a cleansing agent, it is very mild on the skin. As an emulsifier, decyl glucoside will produce oil-in-water emulsions. It is naturally derived from vegetable oils and starch.
Dehydroacetic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A globally approved preservative ingredient. It is a powerful fungicide and a moderate bactericide, which makes it a broad-spectrum preservative. Because it is mildly effective against bacteria, it is often paired with stronger bactericides.
Copper PCA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin

A blue-green synthetic salt of copper and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. It has antimicrobial properties and may be able to help with wound healing and sebum control, although the studies are lacking.

Sodium Citrate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A salt of citric acid that has a salty and tart flavor and is used as a fragrance. It is mildly basic, meaning that its addition to a skincare product can adjust the pH upward.
Ormenis Multicaulis Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fragrant essential oil isolated from the flowers of the Moroccan chamomile. The scent may vary from camphoraceous to fruity or balsamic, depending on the harvest location.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fragrant oil extracted from tangerine peels that, like other citrus peels, contains a citrusy-scented phytochemical known as limonene.
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin

A naturally or synthetically derived preservative that exhibits effective antifungal and antibacterial traits. It also acts as a booster for more traditional preservatives. Pentylene glycol can also serve as a moisturizing humectant and solvent.

Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fragrant and anti-inflammatory extract derived from ginger roots. It is a major part of Chinese traditional medicine. In can increase blood circulation, which helps with skin healing and skin metabolism.
Farnesol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fragrant, liquid alcohol that is naturally found in many essential oils. It has a soft, sweet, floral scent. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Eugenol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fragrant liquid that can be found naturally in the essential oils derived from cloves, cinnamon, basil, and bay leaf. It has a spicy and warm scent. People with sensitive skin should consider doing a patch test first, as it is a potential irritant.
Linalool
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fragrant, volatile compound naturally present in many essential oils. It has a pleasant scent and is often used in skincare products as a fragrance. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Limonene
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
One of the most used fragrances in skincare products. It is produced from the peels of citrus fruits and has a fresh, pleasant, citrusy smell. People who are sensitive to citrus should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.