Below is every ingredient in The Face Shop Pomegranate Collagen Volume Firming Cream 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.
Punica Granatum (pomegranate) Fruit Extract is a botanical ingredient rich in polyphenols such as ellagic acid and punicalagins, used in skincare for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties. It is reported to help neutralize free radicals and support protection against environmental and UV-induced oxidative stress.
Adenosine is a nucleoside that signals through cell-surface receptors to promote dermal fibroblast activity and collagen/elastin production, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties at low concentrations commonly used in cosmetics (around 0.04-0.1%).
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation or dryness | Very rare | Pure water itself is essentially non-irritating; rare effects relate to disruption of skin barrier with excessive exposure rather than chemical sensitivity. |
| Allergic reaction | Very rare | True allergy to water (aquagenic conditions) is extremely uncommon and not an ingredient sensitivity per se. |
| Comedogenicity (pore-clogging) | Uncommon | May contribute to clogged pores or breakouts in acne-prone or oily skin, though shea is generally low on the comedogenic scale. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Sensitization is uncommon; despite tree-nut origin, refined shea butter contains negligible nut proteins and is rarely linked to nut allergy reactions. |
| Skin irritation or redness | Rare | Occasional mild irritation, often related to impurities in unrefined products or individual sensitivity. |
| Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Transient stinging or redness, more likely on compromised or sensitive skin. |
| Enhanced penetration of co-formulated irritants | Uncommon | As a penetration enhancer it may increase absorption and irritation potential of other actives. |
| Comedogenicity (pore clogging) | Rare | Considered low comedogenic potential, but heavy ester formulations may contribute in acne-prone skin. |
| 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. |
| Skin or lip irritation | Rare | Mild irritation occasionally reported, generally in sensitive individuals. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis / cheilitis | Rare | Isolated case reports, primarily related to lip products. |
| Comedogenicity / acneiform breakouts | Uncommon | Possible in acne-prone users due to its occlusive, oily ester nature. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Water/Eau Solvent/vehicle | Water is the most common base ingredient in cosmetics, serving as a solvent and dispersing medium for water-soluble ingredients and forming the continuous phase of emulsions. It is purified (deionized or distilled) before use in formulations. |
| Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Emollient / occlusive moisturizer | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter is a plant-derived fat extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree, rich in triglycerides and unsaponifiables. It is widely used in skincare to soften, smooth, and condition the skin while forming an occlusive barrier that reduces water loss. |
| 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. |
| Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate is a synthetic ester (pentaerythritol esterified with 2-ethylhexanoic acid) used as a lightweight, non-greasy emollient and spreading agent in cosmetics. It softens skin, improves texture and slip, and serves as a solvent for sunscreen filters and other oil-soluble ingredients. |
| 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. |
| Diisostearyl Malate Emollient / Skin-conditioning agent | Diisostearyl Malate is an ester of malic acid and isostearyl alcohol used as an emollient and binder, particularly common in lipsticks and other anhydrous color cosmetics where it imparts gloss, spreadability, and pigment dispersion. It functions as a base/formulation ingredient 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. |
| Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil Emollient / occlusive | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil is a stable, long-chain fatty acid–rich plant oil used as an emollient and occlusive that conditions skin, reduces moisture loss, and improves the spreadability and oxidative stability of formulations. It is valued for its high resistance to rancidity due to its unusual long-chain fatty acid composition. |
| 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. |
| PEG-100 Stearate Emulsifier/surfactant | PEG-100 Stearate is a polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid used as a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water formulations and improve skin feel. It functions as a formulation base ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Glyceryl Stearate Emulsifier/emollient | Glyceryl Stearate is a glycerol ester of stearic acid widely used as a non-ionic emulsifier and emollient to stabilize oil-in-water formulations and improve skin feel. It functions as a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Stearyl Alcohol Emollient/emulsifier | Stearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol used in skincare as an emollient, emulsion stabilizer, and thickening agent to improve texture and prevent ingredient separation. It softens skin and helps maintain the consistency of creams and lotions. |
| Punica Granatum Fruit Extract Key active Antioxidant | Punica Granatum (pomegranate) Fruit Extract is a botanical ingredient rich in polyphenols such as ellagic acid and punicalagins, used in skincare for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties. It is reported to help neutralize free radicals and support protection against environmental and UV-induced oxidative stress. |
| 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. |
| Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Caprylic/Capric Glycerides are a mixture of mono-, di-, and triglycerides derived from coconut or palm-derived medium-chain fatty acids (caprylic and capric acids) combined with glycerin. They function as an emollient, solvent, and skin-conditioning agent that softens skin and improves the spreadability and texture of formulations. |
| Sorbitan Sesquioleate Emulsifier / surfactant | Sorbitan sesquioleate is a sorbitan ester used as a lipophilic (water-in-oil) emulsifier and surfactant to stabilize creams and lotions. It is a formulation/base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Emulsifier/stabilizer (thickener) | Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a synthetic acrylate-based polymer used to thicken, stabilize, and emulsify cosmetic formulations, creating smooth gel and cream textures. It is widely employed as a rheology modifier and is not a therapeutic active. |
| Squalane Emollient / occlusive moisturizer | Squalane is a saturated, stable hydrocarbon derived from squalene (sourced from plants like olives or sugarcane, or shark liver) used as a lightweight emollient that softens skin and reinforces the skin barrier by reducing transepidermal water loss. It is well tolerated, non-comedogenic for most users, and serves as a base or carrier ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Polysorbate 60 Emulsifier / surfactant | Polysorbate 60 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and stearic acid, used to blend oil and water phases and stabilize emulsions in creams and lotions. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Adenosine Key active Anti-aging/soothing active | Adenosine is a nucleoside that signals through cell-surface receptors to promote dermal fibroblast activity and collagen/elastin production, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties at low concentrations commonly used in cosmetics (around 0.04-0.1%). |
| Hydrolyzed Collagen Humectant / skin-conditioning agent | Hydrolyzed collagen is collagen broken down into smaller peptides and amino acids, used in topical formulations to attract and bind water and improve skin surface smoothness and hydration. It functions primarily as a moisturizer and film-former rather than rebuilding the skin's own collagen. |
| Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract Fragrance/antimicrobial extract | Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract is a plant-derived extract used in cosmetics primarily for its aromatic, antioxidant, and mild antimicrobial properties. It contains anethole and other volatile compounds that contribute fragrance and some preservative-boosting effects. |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride 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 solvent for oil-soluble ingredients. It is well-tolerated and serves primarily as a base ingredient rather than an active. |
| Potassium Hydroxide pH adjuster / saponifying agent | Potassium hydroxide is a strong alkaline compound used in cosmetics to adjust pH and to saponify fatty acids in the production of liquid soaps and cleansers. At regulated low concentrations in finished products it is considered safe, functioning as a formulation aid rather than an active treatment. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Caprylyl Glycol Humectant / skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster | Caprylyl glycol is a multifunctional emollient and humectant derived from caprylic acid that helps hydrate skin and enhance the efficacy of preservatives in formulations. It is widely used as a stabilizing and conditioning base ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| 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. |
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.