Below is every ingredient in Shills Professional Exclusive Hydra Boost Water Moisturiser Toner 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.
Witch hazel leaf extract is a plant-derived astringent rich in tannins and polyphenols, commonly used in toners and topical formulations to tighten skin, reduce excess oil, and provide mild anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Its potency and tolerability vary depending on extraction method and tannin content.
Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products.
Fucus Vesiculosus (bladderwrack) Extract is a brown seaweed-derived ingredient rich in polysaccharides, fucoidan, polyphenols, and minerals, used in skincare for its antioxidant, hydrating, and purported anti-aging and firming properties. It is typically included for skin-conditioning and protective effects against oxidative stress.
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract is derived from the Australian tea tree and is valued for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly used in skincare products targeting acne, blemishes, and oily skin.
Myrciaria Dubia (camu camu) fruit extract is derived from an Amazonian fruit exceptionally rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, used in topical formulations for its antioxidant and skin-brightening properties. It may help neutralize free radicals and support a more even skin tone.
Himanthalia Elongata Extract is derived from a brown seaweed (sea spaghetti) and is used in skincare for its antioxidant, mineral, and skin-conditioning properties. It is valued for moisturizing and protective effects against oxidative stress.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin dryness or barrier disruption with excessive contact | Uncommon | Frequent or prolonged exposure to water, especially hot or hard water, can disrupt the skin barrier and contribute to transepidermal water loss. |
| Irritation from impurities or hard water minerals | Rare | Reactions are attributed to contaminants, chlorine, or mineral content rather than water itself. |
| 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. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Documented in patch-test studies but considered a relatively weak sensitizer. |
| Redness or itching | Rare | Typically resolves after discontinuation. |
| Skin irritation (mild redness or stinging) | Uncommon | Generally well tolerated; transient irritation may occur, particularly at higher concentrations or on compromised skin. |
| Skin dryness or tightness | Rare | Possible with high concentrations in leave-on products. |
| Redness or erythema | Uncommon | Typically mild and resolves after discontinuation. |
| Redness or tingling | Rare | Typically resolves quickly after discontinuation |
| Mild irritation or stinging | Rare | Transient irritation may occur, more often on compromised or sensitive skin. |
| Contact urticaria | Very rare | Isolated reports of immediate hives following topical exposure. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Water Solvent/vehicle | Water is the most common base ingredient in cosmetic formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves other ingredients and forms the bulk of emulsions and aqueous solutions. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 1,2-Hexanediol Humectant / preservative booster | 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic diol used in skincare as a humectant and solvent that also enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of formulations, often allowing reduced or preservative-free systems. It helps maintain product stability while contributing mild moisturizing properties. |
| Pentylene Glycol Humectant / solvent / preservative-booster | Pentylene glycol is a glycol used in cosmetics as a humectant and solvent that also enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of formulations, helping reduce reliance on traditional preservatives. It improves skin hydration and aids the delivery and stability of other ingredients. |
| Betaine Humectant / osmolyte | Betaine is a naturally derived amino acid derivative (trimethylglycine) used in skincare as a humectant and osmoprotectant that attracts and retains moisture while helping stabilize skin barrier function. It also improves the texture and mildness of formulations. |
| Panthenol Humectant / skin-conditioning agent | Panthenol (provitamin B5) is converted to pantothenic acid in the skin, where it acts as a humectant and helps support skin barrier function and hydration. It is also used for its soothing and mild anti-inflammatory properties in topical formulations. |
| Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract Fragrance/soothing botanical extract | Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its aromatic, antioxidant, and traditionally soothing properties. It contains volatile compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate that can contribute fragrance and potential skin-conditioning effects. |
| Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract Emollient / skin-conditioning | Adansonia Digitata (baobab) Seed Extract is an oil-rich botanical extract used in skincare for its fatty acids, tocopherols, and vitamins that provide emollient and conditioning benefits. It helps soften skin, support the barrier, and offer mild antioxidant activity. |
| Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract Key active Astringent/antioxidant | Witch hazel leaf extract is a plant-derived astringent rich in tannins and polyphenols, commonly used in toners and topical formulations to tighten skin, reduce excess oil, and provide mild anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Its potency and tolerability vary depending on extraction method and tannin content. |
| Allantoin Key active Soothing/skin-conditioning agent | Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products. |
| Laminaria Japonica Extract Antioxidant/humectant (marine botanical) | Laminaria Japonica Extract is derived from a brown seaweed (kombu) and is used in skincare for its hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant properties, owing to its content of polysaccharides, minerals, vitamins, and fucoidan. It is generally regarded as a conditioning and protective ingredient rather than a primary clinical active. |
| Fucus Vesiculosus Extract Key active Marine algae conditioning/antioxidant agent | Fucus Vesiculosus (bladderwrack) Extract is a brown seaweed-derived ingredient rich in polysaccharides, fucoidan, polyphenols, and minerals, used in skincare for its antioxidant, hydrating, and purported anti-aging and firming properties. It is typically included for skin-conditioning and protective effects against oxidative stress. |
| Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract Skin-conditioning/film-forming agent | Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract is derived from red algae and is used in skincare primarily as a hydrating, film-forming and skin-conditioning ingredient that can provide soothing and texturizing properties. It is generally considered a supportive/base ingredient rather than a clinically proven treatment active. |
| Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract Key active Antimicrobial/antiseptic | Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract is derived from the Australian tea tree and is valued for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly used in skincare products targeting acne, blemishes, and oily skin. |
| Cetraria Islandica Extract Soothing/conditioning botanical | Cetraria Islandica (Iceland moss) extract is a lichen-derived ingredient rich in mucilage polysaccharides and lichen acids, used in skincare for its soothing, emollient, hydrating, and mild antimicrobial properties. It is most commonly included to calm irritated skin and support the skin barrier. |
| Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract Key active Antioxidant / brightening | Myrciaria Dubia (camu camu) fruit extract is derived from an Amazonian fruit exceptionally rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, used in topical formulations for its antioxidant and skin-brightening properties. It may help neutralize free radicals and support a more even skin tone. |
| Himanthalia Elongata Extract Key active Antioxidant/conditioning agent | Himanthalia Elongata Extract is derived from a brown seaweed (sea spaghetti) and is used in skincare for its antioxidant, mineral, and skin-conditioning properties. It is valued for moisturizing and protective effects against oxidative stress. |
| Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract Key active Skin-brightening / anti-inflammatory antioxidant | An extract from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese licorice) used in skincare for its skin-soothing, antioxidant, and pigment-reducing properties, largely attributed to compounds such as glabridin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizin. It is commonly included in formulations targeting hyperpigmentation, redness, and irritation. |
| 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. |
| Ethylhexylglycerin Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent | Ethylhexylglycerin is a multifunctional glyceryl ether used in cosmetics primarily as a preservative-enhancing agent and emollient, often paired with phenoxyethanol to broaden antimicrobial efficacy. It also acts as a deodorizing agent and humectant in skincare formulations. |
| 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. |
| Propanediol Humectant/solvent | Propanediol is a plant-derived glycol used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer that improves moisturization and the spreadability of formulations. It also helps solubilize other ingredients and can boost the efficacy of certain actives. |
| Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract Key active Soothing / anti-inflammatory botanical extract | Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract is a plant-derived ingredient rich in compounds such as bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids, valued for its skin-calming and antioxidant properties. It is commonly used in topical formulations to reduce redness and irritation. |
| Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans Humectant / skin-conditioning agent | Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans are enzymatically or chemically broken-down GAGs (such as hyaluronic acid and related polysaccharides) used in skincare to bind water and improve skin hydration and surface smoothness. The smaller fragments are intended to aid absorption and provide moisturizing, conditioning benefits. |
| Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant / hydrator | Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin to improve hydration and surface plumpness. Its lower molecular weight allows better penetration than native hyaluronic acid. |
| Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Humectant / hydrating agent | Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a chemically cross-linked form of sodium hyaluronate that forms a hydrated network, providing enhanced moisture retention and longer-lasting surface hydration compared to standard hyaluronic acid. It is widely used in moisturizers, serums, and masks to plump and smooth the skin surface. |
| Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Humectant / moisturizer | Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is a low-molecular-weight form of hyaluronic acid broken into smaller fragments, allowing better penetration into the skin to bind water and improve hydration. It is widely used in moisturizers and serums to enhance skin moisture content and surface smoothness. |
| Tocopherol Key active Antioxidant | Tocopherol (vitamin E) is a lipid-soluble antioxidant used in skincare to protect skin and formulations from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and UV exposure. It also functions as a skin-conditioning and emollient agent and can stabilize oils against rancidity. |
| Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate Humectant / conditioning agent | Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate is a cationic (quaternized) modified form of hyaluronic acid that carries a positive charge, improving its substantivity and ability to bind to skin and hair for enhanced moisturization and conditioning. It functions primarily as a humectant and film-forming conditioning agent in cosmetic formulations. |
| Hyaluronic Acid Key active Humectant / hydrating agent | Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin, helping to maintain hydration and improve the appearance of plumpness and smoothness. It is widely used in moisturizers and serums and is generally well tolerated across skin types. |
| Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate Humectant / moisturizer | Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is an acetylated, sodium-salt derivative of hyaluronic acid used in skincare for its enhanced moisture retention and improved skin adherence compared to standard hyaluronic acid. The acetyl modification increases lipophilicity, allowing better surface binding and prolonged hydration. |
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.