Cetaphil advanced defence serum am
Cetaphil cetaphil advanced defence serum am lists 35 ingredients on its label, 35 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
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.
- Water
- Dicaprylyl Carbonate
- Glycerin
- 1,2-Hexanediol
- Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
- Distarch Phosphate
- 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Anhydroxylitol
- Bisabolol
- Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Citric Acid
- Dunaliella Salina Extract
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract
- Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
- Jojoba Esters
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
- Panthenol
- Pantolactone
- Pentylene Glycol
- Phenoxyethanol
- Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
- Polyisobutene
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- Sodium Benzoate
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Sodium PCA
- Sorbitan Oleate
- Tocopherol
- Xylitol
- Xylitylglucoside
Highlights
Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains fragranceContains animal-derived
Formulation view Light serum with dicaprylyl carbonate for freshness, glycerin/hexanediol for hydration, niacinamide for brightening, bisabolol for soothing. Suitable for mixed/sensitive skin. Factory note: Low-viscosity systems require balancing solubility of actives; preservation must be compatible with acidic components.
Key ingredients
- ANTIPLAQUE
- Water
- SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
- Dicaprylyl Carbonate
- DENATURANT
- Glycerin
- SKIN CONDITIONING
- 1,2-Hexanediol
- SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
- Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
- ABSORBENT
- Distarch Phosphate
- FRAGRANCE
- 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
- EMULSION STABILISING
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Other ingredients
AnhydroxylitolBisabololCaprylyl/Capryl GlucosideCetyl AlcoholCitric AcidDunaliella Salina ExtractEthylhexylglycerinGlobularia Alypum Leaf ExtractHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidJojoba EstersPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5PanthenolPantolactonePentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanolPolyglyceryl-3 BeeswaxPolyisobutenePotassium SorbateSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSodium BenzoateSodium HyaluronateSodium HydroxideSodium PCASorbitan OleateTocopherolXylitolXylitylglucoside
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | ANTIPLAQUE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Dicaprylyl Carbonate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glycerin | DENATURANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN PROTECTING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| 1,2-Hexanediol | SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Distarch Phosphate | ABSORBENT, ANTICAKING, BINDING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol | FRAGRANCE, PERFUMING | 0 · – | Green |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | EMULSION STABILISING, FILM FORMING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Anhydroxylitol | HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Bisabolol | FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOOTHING | 0 · – | Green |
| Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside | CLEANSING, FOAMING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · – | Green |
| Cetyl Alcohol | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, FRAGRANCE, OPACIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 1 · 1 | Green |
| Citric Acid | BUFFERING, CHELATING, FRAGRANCE | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Dunaliella Salina Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING | — | Green |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | DEODORANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING | — | Green |
| Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid | HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Jojoba Esters | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, MOISTURISING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOOTHING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 | SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Panthenol | ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Pantolactone | HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Pentylene Glycol | SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · – | Green |
| Polyisobutene | BINDING, FILM FORMING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Potassium Sorbate | FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/4 | 0 · – | Yellow |
| Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer | ANTICAKING, EMULSION STABILISING, FILM FORMING, OPACIFYING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Benzoate | ANTICORROSIVE, FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/1 | 0 · – | Yellow |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Hydroxide | BUFFERING, DENATURANT · 限制 III/15a | 3 · – | Green |
| Sodium PCA | ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | – · 0 | Green |
| Sorbitan Oleate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Tocopherol | ANTIOXIDANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS, SKIN CONDITIONING - OCCLUSIVE | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Xylitol | ANTI-SEBORRHEIC, DEODORANT, HUMECTANT, FLAVOURING, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Xylitylglucoside | HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
Ingredients explained
- Water
- Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth
- Dicaprylyl Carbonate
- Light emollient solvent at 5–15%; mineral oil-free, refreshing feel, low sensitization.
- Glycerin
- Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives
- 1,2-Hexanediol
- Polyol solvent and preservative booster at 1–5%; light feel, can replace some traditional preservatives
- Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
- Non-ionic emulsifier; mild, PEG-free, good compatibility for cream systems.
- Distarch Phosphate
- Crosslinked starch phosphate; absorbent/anticaking, may feel dry at high levels
- 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
- Fixative and scent masker; not a primary skin conditioning agent.
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Crosspolymer for thickening/film; needs neutralization to pH 7-8 to hydrate, check ion strength.
- Anhydroxylitol
- Anhydrous xylitol, potent humectant; high hygroscopicity may cause stickiness at high levels.
- Bisabolol
- Soothing and anti-inflammatory agent, 0.01–0.1%; low irritation, good for sensitive skin.
- Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
- Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, mild sugar surfactant; low irritation, moderate cleansing
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Cetyl alcohol for emulsification/thickening; high concentration >10% may irritate.
- Citric Acid
- Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH
- Dunaliella Salina Extract
- Microalgal extract used as a skin conditioning agent for soothing and barrier support; no public irritancy or comedogenic data.
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel
- Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract
- Yellow globularia leaf extract for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects; monitor plant toxins.
- Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
- Low-MW humectant with superior penetration vs high-MW; 0.1-0.5% typical, hygroscopic, store dry to prevent clumping.
- Jojoba Esters
- Jojoba esters, light emollient ester, low comedogenic; sebum-like, excellent spreadability.
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
- Peptide actives for skin conditioning; typically used at low levels.
- Panthenol
- Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery
- Pantolactone
- Pantolactone, humectant; hydrolyzes to release panthenol, improves skin hydration, low level use, high safety
- Pentylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin
- Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
- Beeswax-derived emulsifier, mild and biodegradable; offers emollience for sensitive formulations
- Polyisobutene
- Inert film former and occlusive; increases viscosity, slippery feel, used in lipsticks
- Potassium Sorbate
- Preservative effective below pH 6; combinable with sodium benzoate
- Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- Acrylate copolymer for film/thickening; water-soluble, compatible, monitor residual monomers.
- Sodium Benzoate
- Preservative booster, effective below pH 4.5; combinable with sorbates
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care
- Sodium PCA
- Sodium PCA, NMF component, 1-10% humectant; salty/tacky at high levels.
- Sorbitan Oleate
- Non-ionic emulsifier for oil-in-water systems; plant-derived, check oxidative stability
- Tocopherol
- Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light
- Xylitol
- Polyol humectant, sweet taste; water-soluble, high hygroscopy, excess draws moisture.
- Xylitylglucoside
- Polyol humectant with high water absorption and fresh feel; often co-used with propylene glycol for enhanced hydration.
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-17. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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