Olay Regenerist Facial Treatment Mask is sold and marketed in both Australia and New Zealand and can be bought online. It is a 15 minute mask that has a stretch and fit design that will firm skin and minimize pores and lines. There are 14 ingredients in the mask other than water.
Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers are those agents that keep a solution together and well-blended. Polyacrylamide, cetearyl glucoside, stearyl alcohol and isoparaffin laureth-7 are all emulsifiers in the Olay Regenerist Mask. Stearyl alcohol also helps keep the emulsion from separating into oils and liquids, according to the Cosmetics Info website.
Preservatives
Preservatives like potassium sorbate and chlorphenesin, both found in this product, work to inhibit the growth of microbes in the formula. Chlorphenesin increases shelf life and decreases mold, fungi, bacteria and yeast growth, according to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetic online database. Potassium sorbate works well on mold and yeast and usually has to be with another preservative for total preservation of the product, according to the Cosmetics Cop website.
Lubricant
Lubricants give a skin a smoother appearance. It also reduces friction by creating a softer smoother surface. Panthenol and isopropyl isostearate are the two lubricants in Olay Regenerist Facial Treatment Mask. Panthenol is derived from vitamin E while isopropyl isostearate is the ester of stearic acid and isopropyl alcohol, according to Cosmetics Info.
Anti-Irritants
Anti-irritants are items that keep skin from getting irritated. Allantoin, a uric acid by-product that is taken from urea, is the anti-irritant in this facial mask, according to Cosmetics Cop.
Emollients
Emollients make skin feel softer, reduce flaking and increase moisture. Cetyl alcohol and niacinamide are the two emollients in this product. Cetyl alcohol is also a thickener and emulsifier, according to Cosmetics Cop. The Cosmetics Info website states that niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3.
pH Control
Sodium citrate is an ingredient that functions to control the pH of the mask, making sure it is not too alkaline or too acidic. It can also function as a preservative and antioxidant, according to Cosmetics Cop.
Solvents
Solvents break down ingredients into a solution. Butylene glycol works as the solvent in Olay Regenerist mask, according to Cosmetics Info. Butylene glycol can also be listed as “1,3-Butanediol”.
Water Binders
A water binder binds with water and keeps it on the skin’s surface. Sucrose, a type of sugar product, is the water binder in this mask, according to Cosmetics Cop.
While not for sale in the United States, it is available for purchase from online markets and eBay for those looking to get one.
Sources:
Cosmetics Cop Cosmetics Info Skin Deep
This article was first published on Suite 101 on July 9, 2010.