essence Hydro Hero Primer

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. Aqua
2. Silica
3. Dicaprylyl Carbonate
4. Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
5. Glycerin
6. Cetearyl Olivate
7. Dimethicone
8. Isoamyl Laurate
9. Niacinamide
10. Pentylene Glycol
11. Sorbitan Olivate
12. Xylitylglucoside
13. Cucumis Sativus Juice
14. Panthenol
15. Sodium Hyaluronate
16. Anhydroxylitol
17. Propylene Glycol
18. Tocopheryl Acetate
19. Xylitol
20. Allantoin
21. Betaine
22. Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
23. Ethylhexylglycerin
24. Sodium Sulfite
25. Lactic Acid
26. Sodium Hydroxide
27. Phosphoric Acid
28. Citric Acid
29. Phenoxyethanol
30. Sodium Benzoate
31. Potassium Sorbate
32. Parfum

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains EU-26 allergensContains fragrance

Formulation view Aqueous serum featuring Glycerin, HA, and Niacinamide for hydration. Silica provides matte oil control, supplemented by Cucumber juice and Panthenol. Light esters suit oily skin. Note: High Silica content absorbs oil effectively but may cause tightness; robust pH regulation.

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

ABRASIVE

Silica

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Dicaprylyl CarbonateCoco-Caprylate/CaprateCetearyl OlivateIsoamyl Laurate

DENATURANT

Glycerin

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

Other ingredients

NiacinamidePentylene GlycolSorbitan OlivateXylitylglucosideCucumis Sativus JuicePanthenolSodium HyaluronateAnhydroxylitolPropylene GlycolTocopheryl AcetateXylitolAllantoinBetaineCocos Nucifera Fruit JuiceEthylhexylglycerinSodium SulfiteLactic AcidSodium HydroxidePhosphoric AcidCitric AcidPhenoxyethanolSodium BenzoatePotassium SorbateParfum

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Silica

Silica powder at 1–10%; absorbs oil, thickens, provides matte finish, for oil-control products

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Light emollient solvent at 5–15%; mineral oil-free, refreshing feel, low sensitization.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Lightweight mid-chain ester, quick spreading, suitable for oily skin, non-comedogenic.

Glycerin

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

Cetearyl Olivate

Natural emulsifier pairing with glucosides; skin-like feel, biodegradable, prone to oxidation requiring light protection

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Isoamyl Laurate

Lightweight ester emollient; fast-drying, non-greasy feel, suitable for oily skin or summer formulations

Niacinamide

Niacinamide at 2–5%; improves texture, controls oil, brightens; high levels may cause sensitivity

Pentylene Glycol

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

Sorbitan Olivate

O/W emulsifier, HLB ~15, requires ionic co-surfactant, potential sensitizer.

Xylitylglucoside

Polyol humectant with high water absorption and fresh feel; often co-used with propylene glycol for enhanced hydration.

Cucumis Sativus Juice

Not decoded yet

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Sodium Hyaluronate

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

Anhydroxylitol

Anhydrous xylitol, potent humectant; high hygroscopicity may cause stickiness at high levels.

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Xylitol

Polyol humectant, sweet taste; water-soluble, high hygroscopy, excess draws moisture.

Allantoin

Skin soother at 0.5-2%; promotes cell regeneration

Betaine

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

Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice

Coconut water containing minerals and amino acids; acts as humectant and hair conditioner, requires preservatives due to high sugar content.

Ethylhexylglycerin

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

Sodium Sulfite

Sulfite antioxidant to prevent oxidation; sulfites are known allergens and must be strictly declared on labels.

Lactic Acid

AHA pH adjuster at 0.5-5%; exfoliation/humectancy, mild at low conc., irritating at high, avoid conflict with alkaline preservatives.

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Phosphoric Acid

Strong buffering agent for pH control; highly irritant, requires precise concentration management

Citric Acid

Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Benzoate

Preservative booster, effective below pH 4.5; combinable with sorbates

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative effective below pH 6; combinable with sodium benzoate

Parfum

Fragrance for scent; may contain allergens, caution for sensitive skin, full labeling required.

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