Hero Cosmetics clarifying prebiotic moisturizer

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Water
2. Butylene Glycol
3. Ethylhexyl Palmitate
4. Cetyl Alcohol
5. Glycerin
6. Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
7. 1,2-Hexanediol
8. Glyceryl Stearate
9. Squalane
10. Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
11. Erythritol
12. Sorbitol
13. Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
14. Ceramide NP
15. Trehalose
16. Salix Alba Bark Extract
17. Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
18. Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
19. Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
20. Zinc Pca
21. Sodium Hyaluronate
22. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
23. Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
24. Hyaluronic Acid
25. Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
26. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
27. Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
28. Potassium Hyaluronate
29. Mandelic Acid
30. Glycolic Acid
31. Hydrogenated Lecithin
32. Betaine
33. Dipropylene Glycol
34. Pentylene Glycol
35. Stearyl Alcohol
36. Carbomer
37. Tromethamine
38. Ethylhexylglycerin

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of fragranceFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains animal-derivedContains essential oils

Formulation view O/W emulsion with Ceramide NP and multi-weight HA. Includes plant extracts and low-concentration AHAs. Preserved with 1,2-hexanediol. Suited for combination or mildly sensitive skin, focusing on microbiome balance. Factory insight: High polyol and lipid blends prioritize hydration with restrained AHA levels, minimizing irritation for long-term barrier maintenance.

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

HUMECTANT

Butylene Glycol

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Ethylhexyl PalmitateCetyl AlcoholHydrogenated Vegetable OilGlyceryl Stearate

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SKIN CONDITIONING

1,2-Hexanediol

Other ingredients

SqualanePolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearateErythritolSorbitolSalvia Officinalis Leaf ExtractCeramide NPTrehaloseSalix Alba Bark ExtractHamamelis Virginiana ExtractCitrus Junos Fruit ExtractAnanas Sativus Fruit ExtractZinc PcaSodium HyaluronateHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidHydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateHyaluronic AcidSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerSodium Acetylated HyaluronateHydroxypropyltrimonium HyaluronatePotassium HyaluronateMandelic AcidGlycolic AcidHydrogenated LecithinBetaineDipropylene GlycolPentylene GlycolStearyl AlcoholCarbomerTromethamineEthylhexylglycerin

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Synthetic ester emollient with light skin feel; small molecule, slightly comedogenic, use cautiously for acne-prone skin, often blended with other oils.

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl alcohol for emulsification/thickening; high concentration >10% may irritate.

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil

Occlusive emollient for smooth feel; high levels may be comedogenic, use caution for acne-prone skin

1,2-Hexanediol

Polyol solvent and preservative booster at 1–5%; light feel, can replace some traditional preservatives

Glyceryl Stearate

Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification

Squalane

Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate

Non-ionic emulsifier at 1–3%; mild, easily combined with other surfactants.

Erythritol

Polyol humectant with light feel; high hygroscopy, watch in dry climates.

Sorbitol

Polyol humectant with strong hygroscopy; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives; also a solvent or adjuster.

Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract

Herbal extract for seborrhea control, antibacterial action, and oral care; high levels may irritate sensitive skin.

Ceramide NP

Ceramide N3 for barrier repair; lipophilic, needs oil phase or emulsion, avoid high standalone use.

Trehalose

Trehalose; mild humectant and stabilizer for proteins/actives; hygroscopic, light skin feel.

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Contains natural salicylic acid precursors, mild exfoliating and antibacterial; may irritate at high levels; avoid in sensitive skin.

Hamamelis Virginiana Extract

Botanical extract for astringent and sebum control; mild irritation risk for sensitive skin at high concentrations.

Citrus Junos Fruit Extract

Yuzu peel extract; provides antioxidants, low concentration reduces photosensitivity risk.

Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract

Pineapple extract with protease and Vit C; mild AHA exfoliant; may irritate at high levels, use caution.

Zinc Pca

Zinc salt for sebum control and antimicrobial; often paired with PCA sodium, high levels may cause sensitization

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Low-MW humectant with superior penetration vs high-MW; 0.1-0.5% typical, hygroscopic, store dry to prevent clumping.

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid derivative with better penetration and strong hydration; different molecular weights provide hydration at various depths, typical concentration 0.1-1%.

Hyaluronic Acid

High-water-binding humectant at 0.1-1%; high-MW for surface film, low-MW for dermal potential, check cationic compatibility.

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Crosslinked high-MW HA; forms surface hydrogel for long-lasting hydration, minimal penetration, physical film-forming.

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Acetylated HA; modified for hydrophobicity, improved penetration and non-tacky feel compared to standard HA.

Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate

Cationic hyaluronic acid, 0.1–1%; water-soluble thickener and conditioning agent.

Potassium Hyaluronate

Hyaluronic salt, excellent humectant; efficacy varies with MW, best with occlusive base

Mandelic Acid

Alpha-hydroxy acid for exfoliation and antibacterial effects; mild penetration, less photosensitivity than other AHAs

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid for exfoliation; requires buffering at concentrations >10%, avoid combination with other acids.

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifier from lecithin; stable, used in powder emulsions

Betaine

Betaine for mild moisturizing/surfactant; low concentration 1-2% common, high may irritate.

Dipropylene Glycol

Solvent for essential oils; better humectancy than PEG

Pentylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin

Stearyl Alcohol

Stearic alcohol; fatty alcohol for emulsion thickening/structure, often blended with soaps, moderate comedogenicity.

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Tromethamine

pH adjuster, alkaline; precise dosing required

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

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