Amazon Basics Triple Replenishing Moisturizer Night Cream with Vitamin C, Glycerin, Shea Butter

This is a silicone-based, radiance-boosting daily moisturizer formulated with Ascorbyl Glucoside (Vitamin C), Green Tea Extract, and light-reflecting minerals to smooth, hydrate, and brighten dull skin.

Performance Rating: 7.3

The formula provides solid hydrating and texturizing efficacy through a well-rounded blend of humectants and emollients. Glycerin and xylitol work together to draw essential moisture into the skin, while shea butter and fatty alcohols reinforce the lipid barrier against trans-epidermal water loss. The incorporation of dimethicone, dimethicone crosspolymer, and methyl methacrylate crosspolymer delivers a smooth, velvety finish with subtle soft-focus blurring. For long-term care, ascorbyl glucoside and green tea leaf extract supply steady antioxidant defense and gentle brightening, while mica imparts an instant optical radiance, making it a reliable, cosmetically elegant daily moisturizer.

Safety Rating: 7.8

The product demonstrates a favorable safety profile supported by gentle thickeners, standard emulsifiers, and benign conditioning agents like sclerotium gum and behenyl alcohol. Microbial safety is reliably managed via phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin, aided by disodium EDTA as a chelating stabilizer. Minor caution is warranted due to the inclusion of fragrance, which represents a common trigger for allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Furthermore, isopropyl palmitate exhibits moderate comedogenic potential for acne-prone skin, and propylene glycol may occasionally induce mild irritation on compromised skin barriers, slightly curbing its universal tolerance.

Final Rating: 7.5

Overall, the moisturizer achieves a well-balanced combination of effective skin hydration, antioxidant support, and aesthetic refinement. Its silicones and natural lipids create an appealing, non-greasy texture that layers smoothly under makeup while locking in moisture. Although the presence of added fragrance and comedogenic esters prevents it from being a completely universal choice for highly reactive or breakout-prone complexions, it remains a dependable, mid-to-high performing option for normal and combination skin seeking both immediate surface smoothing and sustained daily nourishment.

Verdict

At its core, this facial moisturizer functions primarily as an illuminating and texture-refining cream that bridges the gap between skincare and makeup priming. Built upon a base of Glycerin, Dimethicone, and Shea Butter, it delivers immediate surface hydration while locking in essential moisture. The high concentration of silicones combined with Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer provides a velvety, blurred finish that softens the visual appearance of pores and fine lines, creating an ultra-smooth canvas suitable for daily wear under makeup.

The standout active ingredient is Ascorbyl Glucoside, a stable and gentle Vitamin C derivative known for promoting skin brightening and stimulating collagen production without causing excessive irritation. Complemented by Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, the formula delivers a decent dose of antioxidant defense against daily environmental pollutants and free radical damage. Furthermore, the inclusion of Mica and Titanium Dioxide introduces subtle optical diffusers that lend the complexion an instant, healthy-looking glow upon application.

From a texture standpoint, the formula maintains a delicate balance between emollience and a smooth, semi-matte dry-down. Thickeners like Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer and natural emulsifying fatty alcohols lend a luxurious, cushiony spreadability without feeling overly greasy. Additional humectants such as Xylitol and Propylene Glycol help support the skin’s moisture barrier, ensuring sustained comfort throughout the day for normal to combination skin types seeking both hydration and cosmetic radiance.

However, the formulation has several distinct drawbacks that specific skin profiles should consider carefully. The inclusion of added fragrance alongside potential irritants makes it less than ideal for reactive or hypersensitive skin barriers. Additionally, comedogenic emollients like Isopropyl Palmitate paired with occlusive polymers may pose a risk of clogged pores and breakouts for individuals with severe acne-prone or congestion-prone skin. It remains best suited as a hybrid daily brightening cream for normal, combination, and dull skin types desiring a luminous finish.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Solvent and base vehicle

Notes: Forms the continuous aqueous phase of the formulation and dissolves water-soluble ingredients.

🧪 Propylene Glycol / 丙二醇

Purpose: Solvent, penetration enhancer, and humectant

Concerns: May cause irritation in individuals with compromised skin barriers or specific sensitivities.

Notes: Improves active ingredient penetration and assists in moisture retention.

📁 Humectants / 保湿剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant and skin replenishing

Notes: A benchmark humectant that attracts water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the stratum corneum.

🧪 Xylitol / 木糖醇

Purpose: Humectant and skin hydration supporter

Notes: A polyol sugar alcohol that helps optimize skin moisture flow and barrier protein synthesis.

📁 Emollients / 润肤剂

🧪 Dimethicone / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Emollient and occlusive barrier agent

Notes: Provides a smooth, silky slip and forms a breathable protective layer to reduce transepidermal water loss.

🧪 Dimethicone Crosspolymer / 聚二甲基硅氧烷交联聚合物

Purpose: Emollient and texture modifier

Notes: Contributes to a soft-focus, velvety, non-greasy powder-like skin feel.

🧪 Isopropyl Palmitate / 棕榈酸异丙酯

Purpose: Emollient and spreading agent

Concerns: Moderate comedogenic potential for acne-prone skin.

Notes: A lightweight ester that imparts rapid absorption and improves spreadability.

🧪 Isononyl Isononanoate / 异壬酸异壬酯

Purpose: Emollient and skin conditioner

Notes: A synthetic ester that provides a dry, silky after-feel similar to volatile silicones.

🧪 Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter / 牛油果树果脂

Purpose: Emollient and barrier nourishment

Notes: Rich in stearic and oleic fatty acids as well as unsaponifiables that support skin lipid replenishment.

📁 Surfactants / 表面活性剂

🧪 Steareth-2 / 硬脂醇聚醚-2

Purpose: Emulsifier and surfactant

Concerns: Ethoxylated ingredient; subject to manufacturing controls for 1,4-dioxane impurities.

Notes: A low-HLB non-ionic emulsifier frequently paired with Steareth-21 to form stable emulsions.

🧪 Steareth-21 / 硬脂醇聚醚-21

Purpose: Emulsifier and surfactant

Concerns: Ethoxylated ingredient; subject to manufacturing controls for 1,4-dioxane impurities.

Notes: A high-HLB non-ionic emulsifier that stabilizes oil-in-water cosmetic formulations.

🧪 Cetyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡醇

Purpose: Co-emulsifier, emulsion stabilizer, and emollient

Notes: A fatty alcohol that builds formula body and prevents phase separation without drying the skin.

🧪 Stearyl Alcohol / 硬脂醇

Purpose: Co-emulsifier, emulsion stabilizer, and emollient

Notes: An 18-carbon saturated fatty alcohol that adds structure, richness, and stability to creams.

🧪 Arachidyl Alcohol / 花生醇

Purpose: Co-emulsifier and viscosity builder

Notes: A long-chain fatty alcohol that forms lamellar liquid crystalline structures for prolonged hydration.

🧪 Behenyl Alcohol / 山嵛醇

Purpose: Co-emulsifier and emulsion stabilizer

Notes: A 22-carbon fatty alcohol providing rich texture and stabilizing liquid crystal networks.

🧪 Arachidyl Glucoside / 花生醇葡糖苷

Purpose: Emulsifier and surfactant

Notes: A plant-derived non-ionic emulsifying glucoside commonly blended with arachidyl and behenyl alcohols.

📁 Thickeners / 增稠剂

🧪 Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer / 甲基丙烯酸甲酯交联聚合物

Purpose: Texture modifier, mattifying agent, and sebum absorber

Concerns: Polymeric microparticle subject to environmental microplastic assessments.

Notes: Spherical micro-beads that scatter light to blur skin imperfections and absorb excess surface sebum.

🧪 Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer / 丙烯酰二甲基牛磺酸铵/VP 共聚物

Purpose: Thickener, stabilizer, and rheology modifier

Notes: Provides high clarity, electrolyte tolerance, and a quick-break fresh texture upon application.

🧪 Sclerotium Gum / 硬化小核菌胶

Purpose: Thickener, stabilizer, and film-former

Notes: A natural polysaccharide produced by fermentation that offers shear-thinning rheology and thermal stability.

📁 Active Ingredients / 活性成分

🧪 Ascorbyl Glucoside / 抗坏血酸葡糖苷

Purpose: Antioxidant and skin brightener

Notes: A stable vitamin C derivative that enzymatic action hydrolyzes into active L-ascorbic acid within the skin.

🧪 Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract / 茶提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant and skin-soothing agent

Notes: Rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and polyphenols that neutralize free radicals and calm skin redness.

📁 pH Adjusters / pH调节剂

🧪 Disodium EDTA / 乙二胺四乙酸二钠

Purpose: Chelating agent and formula stabilizer

Notes: Binds trace metallic ions to prevent formula oxidation, cloudiness, and preservative destabilization.

🧪 Sodium Hydroxide / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH adjuster and neutralizing agent

Concerns: Strongly alkaline in raw form, but neutralized and safe within the finished formulation.

Notes: Used in minimal quantities to adjust the product to a physiological, skin-friendly pH range.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Concentration is restricted in cosmetics (up to 1.0%); may cause contact irritation in sensitive individuals.

Notes: A standard broad-spectrum antimicrobial effective primarily against Gram-negative bacteria.

🧪 Ethylhexylglycerin / 乙基己基甘油

Purpose: Preservative booster and skin conditioning agent

Notes: Disrupts bacterial cell membranes to boost the efficacy of phenoxyethanol and other preservatives.

🧪 Fragrance / 香精

Purpose: Fragrance and olfactory enhancement

Concerns: Common cause of contact allergies and skin sensitization.

Notes: Imparts an aesthetic scent to mask base raw material aromas.

📁 Colorants / 着色剂

🧪 Titanium Dioxide / 二氧化钛

Purpose: Opacifying agent and physical colorant

Notes: A white mineral pigment used to provide opacity, tone correction, and minor physical light deflection.

🧪 Mica / 云母

Purpose: Pearlescent agent and optical brightener

Concerns: Ethical and labor traceability concerns in natural mica mining.

Notes: A mineral silicate sheet that imparts luminosity and a subtle glow through light reflection.