NARS Light Reflecting Moisturizer

NARS Light Reflecting Moisturizer
5.1
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.2 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants

Review

Does NARS Light Reflecting Moisturizer work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using NARS Light Reflecting Moisturizer:

  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.1 out of 10.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Lightweight moisturizer ideal for oily skin and a humectant boost for any skincare routine

According to CreamScan analysis, NARS Light Reflecting Moisturizer is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.1 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 0.2 out of 10 and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Butylene Glycol (est. ≈6.0%), Glycerin (est. ≈4.0%) and Pentylene Glycol (est. ≈2.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, offering significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula with a minimal amount of occlusive ingredients. It’s also a great choice for people with normal skin who prefer lightweight moisturizers.

Such a humectant boost 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 NARS Light Reflecting Moisturizer is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Camellia Japonica Flower Extract (est. ≈1.3%), Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract (est. ≈1.0%), Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract (est. ≈0.3%), and others.

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.

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
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Dipropylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Function:
Origin:
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Function:
Origin:
Pentylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Function:
Origin:
Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Function:
Origin:
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Squalane
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 60
Function:
Origin:
Sorbitan Isostearate
Function:
Origin:
Saccharide Isomerate
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Citrate
Function:
Origin:
Sorbitan Olivate
Function:
Origin:
Cetearyl Olivate
Function:
Origin:
Disodium Phosphate
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Lecithin
Function:
Origin:
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Function:
Origin:
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Hexylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Fragrance
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Caprylate
Function:
Origin:
Glycine
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyproline
Function:
Origin:
Isoleucine
Function:
Origin:
Cysteine
Function:
Origin:
Lysine
Function:
Origin:
Glutamine
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Phytate
Function:
Origin:
Limonene
Function:
Origin:
Benzyl Salicylate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Benzyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Benzoic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Gold (CI 77480)
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
16.2
6
4
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.1
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 16.2 10
10.0
6
4
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.3 20
0.2
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.1
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
4
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 16.2 10
10
All humectants
16.2
6
4
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
0.3
All occlusives 0.3 20
0.2
All occlusives
0.3
0.3
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
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 3.5 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
3.5
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
1.3
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
1
Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
0.3
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Cysteine
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
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.
Dipropylene Glycol
Est. %9
Function
Origin
Dipropylene GlycolA clear, colorless liquid that has several uses. One of its main functions is as a solvent. Dipropylene glycol is also used to reduce the thickness of skincare products.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Glycerin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
Coco-Caprylate/CaprateA naturally-derived emollient ester. It is a blend of caprylates and caprates and, relative to other emollients, is lightweight and dry on the skin. As a result, coco-caprylate/caprate serves as a natural alternative to volatile silicones.
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Pentylene Glycol

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.

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.
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Camellia Japonica Flower ExtractAn extract obtained from the flowers of the Japanese camellia. It is rich in antioxidant flavonoids and anthocyanins.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Moringa Oleifera Seed ExtractAn extract derived from the seeds of a bush native to Northern India. It contains antioxidant, antimicrobial, and astringent organic acids, flavonoids, and alkaloids.
Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lepidium Sativum Sprout ExtractA pungently fragrant extract derived from cress. It that is rich in sulfur and contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids, carotenoids, and organic acids.
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed ExtractA cocoa beans extract that contains caffeine and astringent and antioxidant flavonols and tannins.
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerAn emulsion stabilizer and thickener that helps to create a pleasant, satiny, and light formula texture. It works by forming a gel-like network within water or oil, which both stabilizes other ingredients and produces a thickening effect.
Squalane
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SqualaneAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient compound that forms part of the skin’s sebum. The main source of squalane had always been shark liver. Now, however, it is manufactured synthetically or derived from plant oils, such as olive and peanut oil.
Polysorbate 60
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin