Below is every ingredient in Man Arden Hydrating Face Cream For Men explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring, sulfur-containing amino acid derivative used in skincare as a potent antioxidant that helps protect skin cells from oxidative stress and may support skin barrier function. It is valued for its stability and ability to scavenge free radicals.
Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinoyl Dipalmitoyl Glycerate is a coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) derivative esterified with glyceryl and palmitoyl groups to improve lipid solubility and stability. It functions as a lipid-soluble antioxidant intended to reduce oxidative stress and support skin barrier protection.
Yeast extract (Faex) is a bioactive derived from fermented yeast, rich in beta-glucans, amino acids, peptides, vitamins, and minerals. It is used in skincare for its hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant properties, and may support skin barrier function and wound healing.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water itself is essentially non-irritating; rare reactions relate to impurities or hardness minerals rather than water itself |
| Transepidermal water loss from excess evaporation | Uncommon | Water-heavy products without occlusives may evaporate and contribute to skin dryness in some individuals |
| Skin dryness | Common | High concentrations can strip natural oils and reduce skin hydration. |
| Irritation or stinging | Common | Especially on compromised, sensitive, or freshly exfoliated skin. |
| Disruption of skin barrier | Uncommon | Repeated exposure may impair barrier function with frequent use. |
| Contact dermatitis | Rare | Irritant or allergic reactions reported in susceptible individuals. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol itself | Very rare | True ethanol allergy is uncommon and documented in isolated cases. |
| Mild skin irritation or redness | Rare | Generally considered non-irritating; occasional mild reactions reported. |
| Clogged pores / comedogenic-related breakouts | Uncommon | Often anecdotal; dimethicone is largely regarded as non-comedogenic but may trap debris if skin is not cleansed well. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | True silicone allergy is exceptionally uncommon. |
| Eye irritation on accidental contact | Rare | Transient stinging or discomfort if product enters the eyes. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Water/Aqua/Eau Solvent/vehicle | Water is the most common base ingredient in skincare formulations, serving as a solvent for water-soluble actives and as the continuous phase in emulsions. It is considered inert and non-active, providing hydration to the formula rather than direct therapeutic effect. |
| Alcohol Denat Solvent/penetration enhancer | Alcohol Denat (denatured ethanol) is a volatile solvent used in skincare to dissolve other ingredients, improve product spreadability and absorption, and create a quick-drying, lightweight feel. It is a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Dimethicone Emollient/occlusive (silicone) | Dimethicone is a silicone-based polymer used in skincare to soften skin, smooth texture, and form a breathable protective barrier that reduces transepidermal water loss. It is widely used as a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a lightweight emollient derived from coconut or palm oil and glycerin, used to soften skin, improve spreadability, and act as a carrier for oil-soluble ingredients. It is widely regarded as well-tolerated and non-comedogenic in most formulations. |
| Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer Texture enhancer / mattifying agent | Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer used in cosmetics as a film-former and oil-absorbing powder that imparts a smooth, soft-focus, matte feel to formulations. It functions primarily as a sensory and texturizing base ingredient rather than a skin-treatment active. |
| Butylene Glycol Humectant / solvent | Butylene glycol is a small diol commonly used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and viscosity-reducing agent that helps dissolve other ingredients and improve skin feel. It is widely regarded as safe and non-sensitizing for the majority of users at cosmetic concentrations. |
| Ergothioneine Key active Antioxidant | Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring, sulfur-containing amino acid derivative used in skincare as a potent antioxidant that helps protect skin cells from oxidative stress and may support skin barrier function. It is valued for its stability and ability to scavenge free radicals. |
| Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinoyl Dipalmitoyl Glycerate Key active Antioxidant | Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinoyl Dipalmitoyl Glycerate is a coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) derivative esterified with glyceryl and palmitoyl groups to improve lipid solubility and stability. It functions as a lipid-soluble antioxidant intended to reduce oxidative stress and support skin barrier protection. |
| Yeast Extract/Faex/Extrait De Levure Key active Skin conditioning/soothing agent | Yeast extract (Faex) is a bioactive derived from fermented yeast, rich in beta-glucans, amino acids, peptides, vitamins, and minerals. It is used in skincare for its hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant properties, and may support skin barrier function and wound healing. |
| Tridecyl Trimellitate Emollient/skin-conditioning agent | Tridecyl Trimellitate is a synthetic ester used in cosmetics as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent, providing a smooth, non-greasy feel and helping to soften skin. It functions primarily as a texture-enhancing and moisturizing base ingredient in lotions, creams, and color cosmetics. |
| Soy Amino Acids Humectant / skin-conditioning agent | Soy Amino Acids are a blend of amino acids derived from soybean protein hydrolysis, used in skincare for their humectant and moisturizing properties. They help bind water to the skin and support the skin barrier, often functioning as part of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) mimetics. |
| PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Solubilizer/emulsifier | PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is a nonionic surfactant derived from hydrogenated castor oil reacted with ethylene oxide, widely used to dissolve fragrances and oils into water-based formulations and to stabilize emulsions. It functions as a base/formulation ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Propylene Glycol Humectant / solvent | Propylene glycol is a small glycol molecule widely used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer that helps attract water and dissolve other ingredients. It is considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Conditioning/film-forming agent | Hydrolyzed soy protein is a soy-derived protein broken into smaller peptides and amino acids, used in skincare and haircare for its moisturizing, conditioning, and film-forming properties that can temporarily improve skin smoothness and hair manageability. It is valued for its water-binding capacity and substantivity to skin and hair surfaces. |
| PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone Silicone-based emulsifier/conditioning agent | PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone is a water-dispersible silicone surfactant used to emulsify, stabilize, and impart a smooth, silky feel to skincare and cosmetic formulations. It functions primarily as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Trideceth-6 Surfactant/emulsifier | Trideceth-6 is a polyethylene glycol ether of tridecyl alcohol used as a nonionic surfactant, emulsifier, and solubilizer in cosmetic formulations. It helps blend oil and water phases and disperse fragrances or other oily components in water-based products. |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Rheology modifier / emulsion stabilizer | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic crosslinked acrylic polymer used to thicken, gel, and stabilize emulsions in skincare and cosmetic formulations. It helps suspend ingredients and provides a smooth, consistent texture without acting as a treatment active. |
| Sodium Polyacrylate Thickener / absorbent | Sodium polyacrylate is a superabsorbent acrylic-acid polymer used in skincare as a thickening, stabilizing, and water-binding agent that can hold large amounts of liquid to create gel-like textures. It functions as a formulation and texture-enhancing ingredient rather than a biologically active treatment. |
| Xanthan Gum Thickener/stabilizer | Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation, used in skincare as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilizing agent. It improves product texture and suspension of ingredients without contributing active treatment effects. |
| EDTA Chelating agent | EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a chelating agent used in skincare formulations to bind metal ions, improving product stability, preventing discoloration, and enhancing the efficacy of preservatives. It is typically used at low concentrations as a formulation aid rather than as a therapeutic active. |
| Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster | Sodium hydroxide (lye) is a strong alkaline compound used in small amounts to adjust and stabilize the pH of cosmetic formulations. At regulated low concentrations in finished products it is considered safe, though it is corrosive in concentrated form. |
| BHT Antioxidant/preservative | BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is a synthetic phenolic antioxidant used in small amounts to prevent oxidation and rancidity of oils, fragrances, and other unstable components, helping maintain product stability and shelf life. |
| Disodium EDTA Chelating agent | Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used in cosmetics to bind metal ions, improving product stability, preventing rancidity, and enhancing the efficacy of preservatives. It is a formulation/base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Cyclopentasiloxane Emollient/silicone | Cyclopentasiloxane is a volatile cyclic silicone widely used in skincare and cosmetics to impart a smooth, silky feel and spreadability before evaporating, leaving no greasy residue. It also serves as a carrier and helps reduce tackiness in formulations. |
| Parfum/Fragrance Fragrance/masking agent | Parfum (fragrance) is a blend of aromatic compounds added to cosmetic products to impart a pleasant scent or mask the base odor of other ingredients. It provides no skincare benefit and is one of the most common causes of cosmetic-related skin reactions. |
| Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone Fragrance ingredient | Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a synthetic fragrance compound with a sweet, violet-like floral scent used to impart or enhance aroma in cosmetic and skincare formulations. It has no therapeutic skin benefit and serves purely an olfactory/sensory role. |
| Linalool Fragrance/masking agent | Linalool is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in lavender, coriander, and many other plants, used in skincare primarily as a fragrance component. It readily oxidizes upon exposure to air, forming sensitizing hydroperoxides. |
| Ethyl Paraben Preservative | Ethyl paraben is a paraben-class preservative used in cosmetics to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi, thereby extending product shelf life and ensuring formulation safety. It is typically used at low concentrations and often in combination with other parabens. |
| Methyl Paraben Preservative | Methylparaben is a widely used antimicrobial preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at low concentrations as a base/formulation ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Potassium Sorbate Preservative | Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, used as a mild preservative to inhibit mold, yeast, and some bacterial growth in cosmetic formulations. It is most effective at acidic pH and is often combined with other preservatives for broad-spectrum protection. |
| Propylparaben Preservative | Propylparaben is a paraben-class antimicrobial preservative used to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast in cosmetic and personal care formulations. It is typically used at low concentrations alongside other parabens for broad-spectrum preservation. |
| Sodium Benzoate Preservative | Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid used as a preservative in cosmetic and skincare formulations to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, particularly in acidic products. It is most effective at a pH below 5. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.