Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence Review

Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence
3.9
/ 10
Moisturizing
7.8 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence has to offer:
 
  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 3.9 out of 10.
  • Soothing: Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizer Well-Suited for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 3.9 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a high humectancy of 7.8 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (est. ≈6.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is well-suited for oily skin, providing moderate hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

A Humectant Enhancement for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant enhancement will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

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

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (est. ≈6.0%) and Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour (est. ≈4.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (est. ≈6.0%) and Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour (est. ≈4.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence to your skincare routine:
 

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing well-suited for oily skin
  • As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing enhancement, beneficial for any skin type
  • Lightweight texture
  • Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
  • Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour

Cons: 

  • Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
6
4
3
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
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Function:
Origin:
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour
Function:
Origin:
1,2-Hexanediol
Function:
Origin:
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract
Function:
Origin:
Hordeum Vulgare Powder
Function:
Origin:
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Function:
Origin:
Piperonyl Glucoside
Function:
Origin:
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyacetophenone
Function:
Origin:
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Function:
Origin:
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Function:
Origin:
Lavandula Spica (Lavender) Flower Oil
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Linalool
Function:
Origin:
Limonene
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Sorbate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
7.8
6
1.5
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
3.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 7.8 10
7.8
6
1.5
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
3.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
1.5
0.3
All humectants 7.8 10
7.8
All humectants
7.8
6
1.5
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
6
4
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 10.6 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
10.6
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
6
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour
4
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract
0.3
Hydroxyacetophenone
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
6
4
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 12.2 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
12.2
6
4
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe 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.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceA gelatinous juice from Aloe vera leaves that acts as a powerful humectant, emollient, and antioxidant. It contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that soothe irritated skin and have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel FlourA mild abrasive, finely milled oat kernel flour that is also used as a formula helper.
1,2-Hexanediol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
1,2-HexanediolA multi-functional formula helper. It is a well-studied preservtive against bacteria and can help pigments and fragrances disperse evenly in a formula.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %2
Function
Origin
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilA castor oil-derived ingredient often used to incorporate small amounts of oil (such as a fragrance) into a water-based product. PEG-4 HCO is a gold-standard solubilizer and can be used in low amounts due to its ability to solubilize things so well.
Propanediol
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract
Hordeum Vulgare Powder
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Hordeum Vulgare Powder
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf ExtractAn extract derived from sage leaves with toning and anti-inflammatory properties. It has a mild sage aroma due to the presence of sage essential oil.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateA licorice root derivative with powerful anti-inflammatory and soothing activities. It is often used as a flavoring agent in lip products.
Piperonyl Glucoside
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Piperonyl Glucoside
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lavandula Hybrida OilA fragrant essential oil distilled from a lavender hybrid of the two most common lavender species: true lavender and spike lavender. It contains linalool and linalyl acetate as well as eucalyptol and camphor, which altogether give it a cooling, lavender scent.
Hydroxyacetophenone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
HydroxyacetophenoneAn antioxidant compound that can be found in many plants, although it is manufactured synthetically for skincare purposes. It can boost the preservative action of other conservants.
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf OilAn essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Eucalyptus globulus, a tall, evergreen, Australian tree with waxy leaves. It mostly consists of cineole – which has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tetrasodium Glutamate DiacetateA biodegradable chelating agent that chemically captures the heavy metal ions naturally present in water and disarms their harmful effects.
Lavandula Spica (Lavender) Flower Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lavandula Spica (Lavender) Flower Oil
Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Xanthan GumA natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Linalool
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LinaloolA 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
Limonene

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.

Potassium Sorbate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium SorbateA preservative widely used in food and personal care products, available from natural sources or synthetically produced. Potassium sorbate works by inhibiting the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria.
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.