Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel

Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel
2.5
/ 10
Moisturizing
5.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers

Review

Does Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel:

  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.5 out of 10.
  • Soothing: Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

Basic moisturizer for oily skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 2.5 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 moderate humectancy of 5.0 out of 10, entirely due to the high content of Propylene Glycol (est. ≈5.0%).

This product, when used alone as a moisturizer, can provide light humectant hydration in a fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients. This could work for people with oily skin who need a basic level of hydration.

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.

Since it contains a moderate amount of humectants, it can also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer.

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

Skin soothing and calming potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Menthol (est. ≈3.0%) and Betula Alba Bark Extract (est. ≈2.0%).

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.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
7.5
5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol Denat. Sd Alcohol 39-C
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Menthol
Function:
Origin:
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Function:
Origin:
Carbomer
Function:
Origin:
Camphor
Function:
Origin:
Triethanolamine
Function:
Origin:
Methylparaben
Function:
Origin:
Propylparaben
Function:
Origin:
Yellow 5 (CI 19140)
Function:
Origin:
Blue 1 (CI 42090)
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
5.0
5
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 5 10
5.0
5
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
2.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
5
All humectants 5 10
5
All humectants
5.0
5
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
2
All antioxidants 2 3 No
All antioxidants
2
Betula Alba Bark Extract
2
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
3
2
1.5
1
All soothing 7.5 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
7.5
3
2
1.5
1
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.
Alcohol Denat. Sd Alcohol 39-C
Est. %7.5
Function
Origin
Alcohol Denat. Sd Alcohol 39-C
Propylene Glycol
Est. %5
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Menthol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
MentholA volatile compound isolated from peppermint oil. It causes a cooling sensation on the skin that can be very soothing. Menthol can also act as a topical painkiller. In more sensitive individuals, however, it may cause skin irritation or an allergy.
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
Arnica Montana Flower ExtractAn extract derived from the flower heads of the mountain arnica plant. This plant is used as herbal medicine to treat wounds, bruises, and inflammation. In skincare, however, it is mostly added for fragrance purposes due to its pleasant pine and sage odor.
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Betula Alba Bark ExtractAn extract of white birch with a woody aroma that contains powerful wound healing, astringent and anti-inflammatory terpenoids, as well as tannins. It is suitable for irritated, inflamed, and problematic skin.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) WaterA fragrant, astringent essential water obtained by steeping and distilling the twigs and leaves of the witch hazel plant. It leaves the skin feeling tight and refreshed after application and helps with the healing of small cuts on the skin.
Carbomer
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
CarbomerA synthetic ingredient with the ability to gel water. When used in emulsions, such as lotions and creams, carbomer can also act as an emulsion stabilizer.
Camphor
Est. %1
Function
Origin
CamphorA multifunctional fragrance ingredient that makes a great plasticizer.
Triethanolamine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
TriethanolamineA clear, colorless, and highly viscous liquid, this ingredient is an excellent pH adjuster. When it is necessary to neutralize an acidic solution or to generally increase the pH of a product, triethanolamine is a common choice.
Methylparaben
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MethylparabenA preservative that keeps a product unspoiled. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding parabens, although the concentrations found in cosmetic formulations are generally considered to be safe.
Propylparaben
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PropylparabenA preservative that keeps a product unspoiled. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding parabens, although the concentrations found in cosmetic formulations are generally considered to be safe.
Yellow 5 (CI 19140)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Yellow 5 (CI 19140)A bright yellow colorant that is often also listed as FD&C Yellow 5.
Blue 1 (CI 42090)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Blue 1 (CI 42090)A synthetic dye commonly known as Brilliant Blue FCF that produces rich blue colors for various cosmetic uses. FD&C Blue #1 can also be found in foods, medications, and dietary supplements, as it is considered non-toxic and safe for use.