Is Q10 Night Cream Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Boots
This page reviews Q10 Night Cream by Boots as a skincare. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Paraffinum Liquidum, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes glycerin and tocopherol, which are beneficial for skin hydration and protection. However, the presence of paraffinum liquidum and phenoxyethanol raises concerns about synthetic additives and potential irritation.
Main concern
Paraffinum liquidum is a mineral oil that can create a barrier on the skin, potentially leading to clogged pores and irritation.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture in the skin, contributing positively to hydration.
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E) acts as an antioxidant, providing skin protection and supporting overall skin health.
Concerns
- Paraffinum liquidum is a mineral oil that can create a barrier on the skin, potentially leading to clogged pores and irritation.
- Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, raising safety concerns.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid silicones
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this skincare and why it matters.
-
Is Water safe in this skincare?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a solvent and base for the cream, providing hydration and facilitating the absorption of other ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: aqua (water)
-
Is Glycerin safe in this skincare?
Good
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture to the skin, enhancing hydration and improving skin texture.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: glycerin
-
Is Paraffinum Liquidum safe in this skincare?
Bad
Paraffinum Liquidum is used here as emollient. Paraffinum liquidum is a mineral oil that forms a barrier on the skin, which can lead to clogged pores and potential irritation.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: paraffinum liquidum
-
Is Dimethicone safe in this skincare?
Medium
Dimethicone is used here as emollient. Dimethicone is a silicone that provides a smooth application and helps to lock in moisture, but may cause buildup on the skin.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: dimethicone
-
Is Glyceryl Stearate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Glyceryl Stearate is used here as emulsifier. Glyceryl stearate acts as an emulsifier, helping to blend oil and water components, but is a processed ingredient with mixed properties.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: glyceryl stearate
-
Is Caprylic Capric Triglyceride safe in this skincare?
Medium
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride is used here as emollient. This ingredient is derived from coconut oil and glycerin, providing a lightweight moisturizing effect but is processed.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: caprylic/capric triglyceride
Read the full ingredient profile for Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
-
Is Ethylhexyl Stearate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ethylhexyl Stearate is used here as emollient. Ethylhexyl stearate is an ester that provides a smooth feel and helps to condition the skin, though it is a synthetic compound.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: ethylhexyl stearate
-
Is Isopropyl Myristate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Isopropyl Myristate is used here as emollient. Isopropyl myristate enhances skin absorption of other ingredients but can be comedogenic for some skin types.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: isopropyl myristate
-
Is Castor Seed Oil safe in this skincare?
Good
Castor Seed Oil is used here as emollient. Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil is a natural oil that provides moisture and nourishment to the skin, supporting hydration.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: ricinus communis (castor) seed oil
-
Is Cetearyl Alcohol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Cetearyl Alcohol is used here as emulsifier. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol that acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer, though it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: cetearyl alcohol
-
Is Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer is used here as thickener. This copolymer is used to thicken formulations and improve texture, but is a synthetic ingredient with mixed safety profiles.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer
Read the full ingredient profile for Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer
-
Is Ceteareth 12 safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ceteareth 12 is used here as emulsifier. Ceteareth-12 is an emulsifier that helps blend ingredients but is a processed compound with potential irritation concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: ceteareth-12
-
Is Ceteareth 20 safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ceteareth 20 is used here as emulsifier. Ceteareth-20 is another emulsifier that aids in product stability but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: ceteareth-20
-
Is Cetyl Palmitate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Cetyl Palmitate is used here as emulsifier. Cetyl palmitate is used to stabilize emulsions but is a synthetic ingredient that may raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: cetyl palmitate
-
Is Pentylene Glycol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Pentylene Glycol is used here as humectant. Pentylene glycol acts as a humectant and solvent, enhancing moisture retention but is a synthetic compound.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: pentylene glycol
-
Is Caprylyl Glycol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Caprylyl Glycol is used here as humectant. Caprylyl glycol is a skin-conditioning agent that also has antimicrobial properties, though it is synthetic.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: caprylyl glycol
-
Is Phenoxyethanol safe in this skincare?
Bad
Phenoxyethanol is used here as preservative. Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that can cause irritation in sensitive individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: phenoxyethanol
-
Is Dipropylene Glycol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Dipropylene Glycol is used here as solvent. Dipropylene glycol is used as a solvent and humectant, but it is a synthetic ingredient with potential irritation risks.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: dipropylene glycol
-
Is Hydrogenated Castor Oil safe in this skincare?
Medium
Hydrogenated Castor Oil is used here as emollient. Hydrogenated castor oil provides a smooth texture and emollient properties but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: hydrogenated castor oil
Read the full ingredient profile for Hydrogenated Castor Oil
-
Is Fragrance safe in this skincare?
Bad
Fragrance is used here as fragrance. Fragrance is a common allergen that can cause irritation and sensitivity in some individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: parfum (fragrance)
-
Is Disodium Edta safe in this skincare?
Medium
Disodium Edta is used here as chelating_agent. Disodium EDTA is used to stabilize formulations but is a synthetic compound that may raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: chelating_agent
Original: disodium edta
-
Is Ethylhexylglycerin safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ethylhexylglycerin is used here as preservative. Ethylhexylglycerin is a synthetic preservative that also acts as a skin conditioning agent, with mixed safety profiles.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: ethylhexylglycerin
-
Is Carnauba Wax safe in this skincare?
Good
Carnauba Wax is used here as thickener. Copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax is a natural thickener that provides texture and stability to the cream, supporting quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax
-
Is Carnosine safe in this skincare?
Good
Carnosine is used here as antioxidant. Carnosine is a natural antioxidant that helps protect skin cells from damage, contributing positively to skin health.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: carnosine
-
Is Lecithin safe in this skincare?
Medium
Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Lecithin is an emulsifier that helps blend ingredients but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety implications.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: lecithin
-
Is Carnitine safe in this skincare?
Medium
Carnitine is used here as nutrient. Carnitine is included for its potential skin benefits, but its effectiveness in topical applications is debated.
Role in formula: nutrient
Original: carnitine
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a mild preservative that helps prevent microbial growth but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: potassium sorbate
-
Is Trisodium Edta safe in this skincare?
Medium
Trisodium Edta is used here as chelating_agent. Trisodium EDTA is used to stabilize formulations but is a synthetic compound that may raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: chelating_agent
Original: trisodium edta
-
Is Ubiquinone safe in this skincare?
Good
Ubiquinone is used here as antioxidant. Ubiquinone (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that helps protect skin from oxidative stress, supporting skin health.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: ubiquinone
-
Is Triethyl Citrate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Triethyl Citrate is used here as solvent. Triethyl citrate is used as a solvent and skin conditioning agent, but it is a synthetic ingredient with mixed safety profiles.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: triethyl citrate
-
Is Tocopherol safe in this skincare?
Good
Tocopherol is used here as antioxidant. Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is an antioxidant that protects skin from damage and supports overall skin health.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: tocopherol
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 4279431
More from this brand: Boots products in Zerotox
Similar products: skincare in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.