Youth Therapy Moisturizing Anti-Wrinkle Cream 40+
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
A silicone that sits on your skin as an invisible, non-greasy shield. Reduces water loss, protects against irritants (think soap, friction, incontinence), and is FDA-recognised as a skin protectant from 1-30%. The reason your favourite primer feels silky and your barrier cream actually works under makeup.
Good for: Barrier repair, Hydrating
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.
Good for: Hydrating
A rich, naturally occlusive plant butter from the African karite tree. Soothes dry, irritation-prone skin, refills the lipid barrier, and was well tolerated enough in randomized trials that most participants used it comfortably as a daily emollient.
Good for: Barrier repair, Hydrating, Anti-inflammatory
A Korean-skincare staple that hydrates, soothes, and helps surface damage recover faster. Especially nice on dehydrated or post-acne skin.
Good for: Hydrating, Barrier repair
A lightweight oil that mimics what your skin already makes. Softens and seals in hydration without feeling greasy.
Good for: Barrier repair, Hydrating
Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.
Good for: Brightening, Antioxidant
Evidence behind the ingredients
Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.
A silicone that sits on your skin as an invisible, non-greasy shield. Reduces water loss, protects against irritants (think soap, friction, incontinence), and is FDA-recognised as a skin protectant from 1-30%. The reason your favourite primer feels silky and your barrier cream actually works under makeup.
Beeckman D, Verhaeghe S, Defloor T, et al. A 3-in-1 perineal care washcloth impregnated with dimethicone 3% versus water and pH neutral soap to prevent and treat incontinence-associated dermatitis: a randomized, controlled clinical trial. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2011;38(6):627-634.
Saary J, Qureshi R, Palda V, et al. A systematic review of contact dermatitis treatment and prevention. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;53(5):845-855. (Barrier creams containing dimethicone prevent irritant contact dermatitis.)
FDA OTC Final Monograph, 21 CFR Part 347 — Skin Protectant Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; dimethicone listed at section 347.10 as a Category I active ingredient at 1-30%.
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164 — glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection
Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736 — topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin
Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748 — 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration
A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.
Karabat MU, Tuncer MC. Effects of hyaluronic acid on skin at the cellular level: a systematic review. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2025;71(8):e20250208. — Systematic review of 45 studies found low-molecular-weight HA stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration while high-molecular-weight HA drives skin hydration, supporting topical HA as an effective skin-hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredient.
Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging
Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020
+−4 more ingredients
A rich, naturally occlusive plant butter from the African karite tree. Soothes dry, irritation-prone skin, refills the lipid barrier, and was well tolerated enough in randomized trials that most participants used it comfortably as a daily emollient.
O'Connor RJ et al., Clinical Evaluation of a Diaper Containing a Shea Butter-Based Emollient and Impact on Diapered Skin Erythema, Pediatr Dermatol 2025;42(3):532-538 — RCT n=271 infants, shea-butter diaper reduced dermatitis
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety Assessment of Butyrospermum parkii (Shea)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Final Report.
Verallo-Rowell VM, Katalbas SS, Pangasinan JP. Natural (Mineral, Vegetable, Coconut, Essential) Oils and Contact Dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2016;16(7):51. — discussing shea butter unsaponifiable fraction NF-kB inhibition and dermatologic use.
A Korean-skincare staple that hydrates, soothes, and helps surface damage recover faster. Especially nice on dehydrated or post-acne skin.
Sekar D et al., From Slime to Sublime: The Impact of Snail Mucin on Scar Therapy and Wound Healing in Dermatology, Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 2025
Puaratanaarunkon T et al., Efficacy and safety of a facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract in the treatment of maskne: A randomized placebo-controlled study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4470-4478 — 12-week RCT (n=66): snail-secretion-filtrate serum significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions
McDermott M et al., Advancing Discovery of Snail Mucins Function and Application, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 2021
A lightweight oil that mimics what your skin already makes. Softens and seals in hydration without feeling greasy.
Wolosik K et al., Squalane as a Promising Agent Protecting UV-Induced Inhibition of Collagen Biosynthesis and Wound Healing in Human Dermal Fibroblast, Molecules 2025;30(9):1964 — low-dose squalane (0.005-0.015%) restored collagen biosynthesis and wound healing in UVA-exposed human dermal fibroblasts
Morgan AB et al., Explicating the multifunctional roles of tocotrienol and squalene in promoting skin health, Skin Health and Disease 2024;4(5):e448 — squalene/squalane promotes skin health via antioxidant, hydrating, emollient, anti-inflammatory mechanisms
Fiume M et al., Safety Assessment of Squalane and Squalene as Used in Cosmetics, International Journal of Toxicology 2023;42(3_suppl):107S-109S — CIR expert-panel assessment concluding squalane is safe as a cosmetic ingredient
Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.
Krutmann J et al. PINGing Sunshine: A Review of the Evidence for Adding Non-Filtering Photoprotective Ingredients to Sunscreens. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2025;41(6). — Review of Photoprotective INGredients (PINGs); L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) identified as a top-ranked PING demonstrating efficacy across multiple photodamage endpoints.
Pullar JM et al., The roles of vitamin C in skin health, Nutrients 2017;9(8):866 — concluded topical efficacy "poorly understood"; supports dietary vitamin C
Lee JH et al., Effects of VitabridC12 on Skin Inflammation, Annals of Dermatology 2017
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.
Layering conflicts
Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.
- Benzoyl Peroxidemedium
Benzoyl peroxide breaks down vitamin C, making both less effective. Use one in the morning and the other at night.
- Retinollow
Vitamin C and retinol work best at different pH levels. Use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.
Similar comparisons
Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.