Amazon Basics Moisturizing Water Gel

A lightweight, silicone-based gel-cream that utilizes Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate to provide hydration while creating a smooth, primed finish.

Performance Rating: 3.9

This formula represents a solid, texture-focused moisturizer, likely presenting as a gel-cream due to the combination of Polyacrylamide and Silicones. It features a strong hydration system using Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate to attract water, while Dimethicone and Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer provide a silky, non-greasy occlusive barrier to lock it in. The addition of Cetearyl Olivate and Sorbitan Olivate mimics the skin’s lipid structure, enhancing barrier repair. While effective for basic moisturizing, it lacks advanced active ingredients (like Niacinamide or Ceramides) found in higher-tier formulations.

Safety Rating: 3.5

The safety profile is generally standard but compromised by the inclusion of Fragrance and Blue 1 (artificial dye). These are common sensitizers that offer no skin benefit and may cause irritation for those with sensitive skin or compromised barriers. The preservative system relies on Phenoxyethanol and Chlorphenesin, which are widely used and safe for most people. Polyacrylamide is generally safe but is a synthetic polymer that some clean-beauty advocates avoid.

Final Rating: 3.7

This is a well-engineered daily moisturizer that prioritizes sensory feel and hydration. The blend of humectants and silicones ensures it feels lightweight yet effective, making it suitable for normal to combination skin types. However, the presence of added fragrance and dye prevents it from achieving a higher score, as these ingredients limit its suitability for sensitive skin types. It is a reliable ‘workhorse’ product but not a treatment powerhouse.

Verdict

This formulation presents itself as a modern, lightweight moisturizer designed primarily to hydrate and smooth the skin surface simultaneously. At the core of the formula lies a significant concentration of Dimethicone and Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer. These silicones are renowned for creating a breathable barrier that locks in moisture while providing a unique “slip,” resulting in a velvety, matte finish that often doubles effectively as a makeup primer. To address hydration, the product utilizes Glycerin, a gold-standard humectant that draws water into the outer layer of the skin. This is bolstered by Sodium Hyaluronate, the salt form of Hyaluronic Acid, which is capable of holding vast amounts of water to plump the skin. The inclusion of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil and Stearyl Stearate adds a degree of emollience, helping to soften rough patches, although these are balanced carefully to prevent the product from feeling heavy or greasy. The emulsification system, featuring Cetearyl Olivate and Sorbitan Olivate, is derived from olive oil and mimics the skin’s natural lipid structure, promoting barrier repair. However, the ingredient list reveals some choices that may not suit every user. The presence of Polyacrylamide and C13-14 Isoparaffin indicates a gel-cream texture, which is excellent for absorption but acts as a film-former. More notably, the inclusion of Fragrance and the dye Blue 1 serves purely aesthetic purposes—making the product smell good and look appealing in the jar—but offers no skincare benefit. For those with a compromised skin barrier or a history of contact dermatitis, these additives can be potential triggers for irritation. Overall, this moisturizer is likely best suited for those seeking a cosmetic elegance over deep, heavy repair. It is an excellent option for locking in serums during the day, provided your skin tolerates scent and dyes well.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Solvent base

Concerns: None

Notes: The primary component of the formula.

📁 Humectants & Moisturizers / 保湿剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture to the skin.

🧪 Sodium Hyaluronate / 透明质酸钠

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Salt form of Hyaluronic Acid; holds vast amounts of water.

🧪 Ethylhexylglycerin / 乙基己基甘油

Purpose: Skin conditioning, Preservative booster

Concerns: Low risk of irritation

Notes: Often used to replace parabens.

📁 Emollients & Occlusives / 柔润剂与封闭剂

🧪 Dimethicone / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Emollient, Silicone

Concerns: None (non-comedogenic)

Notes: Provides a silky feel and prevents moisture loss.

🧪 Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil / 氢化植物油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: Potential breakout trigger for very oily skin

Notes: Vegetable oil turned solid/waxy.

🧪 Stearyl Stearate / 硬脂酸硬脂酯

Purpose: Emollient, Skin conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: A wax ester.

📁 Emulsifiers / 乳化剂

🧪 Cetearyl Olivate / 鲸蜡硬脂醇橄榄油酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Derived from olive oil; often paired with Sorbitan Olivate.

🧪 Sorbitan Olivate / 山梨坦橄榄油酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Derived from olive oil; helps blend oil and water.

🧪 C12-14 Pareth-12 / C12-14 链烷醇聚醚-12

Purpose: Surfactant, Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps mix ingredients.

🧪 Stearic Acid / 硬脂酸

Purpose: Emulsifier, Thickener

Concerns: Low risk

Notes: Fatty acid that adds richness.

📁 Texture Enhancers & Thickeners / 质地调节剂与增稠剂

🧪 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer / 聚二甲基硅氧烷/乙烯基聚二甲基硅氧烷交联聚合物

Purpose: Texture enhancer

Concerns: None

Notes: Silicone powder that gives a matte, silky finish.

🧪 Polyacrylamide / 聚丙烯酰胺

Purpose: Film former, Thickener

Concerns: Trace contamination concerns (usually monitored)

Notes: Creates a gel-like texture.

🧪 C13-14 Isoparaffin / C13-14 异链烷烃

Purpose: Solvent, Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Often part of a thickener blend with Polyacrylamide.

🧪 Laureth-7 / 月桂醇聚醚-7

Purpose: Surfactant, Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Often part of a thickener blend with Polyacrylamide.

🧪 Ozokerite / 地蜡

Purpose: Binder, Stabilizer

Concerns: None

Notes: Mineral wax used to harden the stick or cream structure.

🧪 Carbomer / 卡波姆

Purpose: Thickener, Gel maker

Concerns: None

Notes: Creates clear gels; requires pH adjustment.

🧪 Sodium Hydroxide / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Irritant in pure form

Notes: Used in tiny amounts to neutralize Carbomer.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Can be irritating to sensitive skin

Notes: Very common safe preservative.

🧪 Chlorphenesin / 氯苯甘醚

Purpose: Preservative, Antimicrobial

Concerns: Restricted in some regions (safe in low conc.)

Notes: Prevents bacterial growth.

📁 Fragrance & Colorants / 香精与色料

🧪 Fragrance / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: Common sensitizer/Allergen

Notes: Can irritate sensitive skin.

🧪 Blue 1 / CI 42090 (亮蓝)

Purpose: Colorant

Concerns: Unnecessary for function

Notes: Synthetic blue dye.