In recent years, Mercadona’s cosmetics section has become one of the most sought after in this supermarket chain. With a rhythm of presentation of new products that is sometimes overwhelming, they are completely up to date with trendy ingredients. In fact, They were already slow to join the centella asiatica fever. With your new exosome and cica mistthey have corrected the error.
This product promises to hydrate, strengthen and energize the skin at any time of the day. In addition, Mercadona claims that it reduces expression lines and helps stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis. All this while reinforcing the skin barrier. It is, therefore, an ideal product for dry and/or sensitive skin, although anyone can use it.
This is what Mercadona says. In order to check if it is worth it, I have been using this product for a week. Although it may not be enough time to notice results if there are any, I can make an initial verdict and, in the process, analyze the ingredients, because the reality is that, with science in hand, this Mercadona exosome and cica mist has a lot to cut through.
What is the INCI?
From now on we are going to talk a lot about INCI, so it is important to be clear about what exactly it is. This is the list of ingredients that all cosmetics must contain. in it All components of the product are detailed in descending order of concentration. This means that the most abundant ingredients are at the beginning and those with the least amount at the end. Therefore, it is not only important that we check the ingredients. It is also key that we look at where they are in the INCI. Sometimes, some brands promote a product to us for a specific ingredient, but when we look at the list we see it practically at the end. Logically, the effects will not be the same.
Yes, it is important to keep in mind that those ingredients that are below 1% can now be listed in any orderso the last ones on the list will not necessarily be ordered by decreasing concentration.
What is in the INCI of this mist of exosomes and cica from Mercadona?
The first ingredient in Mercadona’s exosome and cica mist is water. This is normal in many cosmetics, since It is a very good solvent and is usually the base in which the rest of the formula is mixed.. Leaving this aside, the next ingredient, which would be the most abundant after water, is glycerin. This is a very common ingredient in moisturizing products, since hydrates in three possible ways.
A substance that hydrates It can be humectant, occlusive or emollient. The former retain water, swelling and promoting hydration. The latter form a protective layer that prevents the water that is already on the skin from evaporating. Finally, emollient substances also create a protective barrier, but introducing lipids between the cells that mimic the skin’s natural barrier. The result is also a much softer appearance.
In addition to glycerin, which moisturizes in every possible way, there are other moisturizing ingredients in the formula, such as propanediol, which is in second place (always without counting water), ribose, in fourth place, or hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, in fifth place. There is also ethylhexylglycerin, much further down. In sixth place we find vitamin E (tocopherol), which acts as an antioxidant, but also has an occlusive effect.
Special mention to gotu kola
Something interesting about this product is that its main claim is quite high in the INCI. Centella asiatica, also known as Cicais the third ingredient without counting water.
It is a plant known for its anti-inflammatory and skin regenerative effects. This is what the cosmetic claims say, but also what science says, since there are quite a few studies that support its use. These highlight the benefits of three active ingredients present in the plant: asiatic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside. The first has shown to be a great healerthe second stimulates collagen synthesis and the third has great anti-inflammatory power. Therefore, it can be a good option for sensitive and damaged skin.
Its role in stimulating collagen synthesisFurthermore, it is interesting after the age of 30, when we start to produce less naturally. This is why it could help reduce certain expression lines, as long as it is found at adequate concentrations.
From the age of 30 we produce less collagen naturally
In the case of Mercadona’s exosome and cica mist we see that it is the fourth ingredient if we count water. It is one of the most abundant ingredients, but that does not mean that its concentration is very high. There could, for example, be a lot of glycerin and everything else be in very low concentrations. Unfortunately, it is something that brands are not required to indicate, so we cannot know. We only have to observe the results.
What about exosomes?
exosomes They are very small vesicles that are naturally released by cells to communicate with each other or send substances from one to another. The use of exosomes of plant origin is beginning to become increasingly common in cosmetics, since can help provide interesting substancessuch as proteins and lipids. This is why it has become a great marketing claim, although there is a problem: there is no regulatory obligation to include the presence of exosomes in the INCI.
In fact, It is not even an approved component to be included in this type of list.. At most, it can be indicated that there is a plant extract, as is the case in this case with gotu kola. But we do not know if there are centella asiatica exosomes or, on the contrary, other components.
Other ingredients
After tocopherol, the function of most ingredients is not focused on the users’ skin, but on the usability of the product itself. There are preservative compounds, such as phenoxyethanol, emulsifiers, such as polysorbate 20, formula stabilizers, such as tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, or pH regulators, such as citric acid.
There is also perfume. Perfumes can cause allergic reactions on skin sensitive to them, so the ideal is for them to be as close to the end of the formula as possible. In this case it is quite low. Furthermore, if you look closely, it is not a product with a very intense aroma. And it is actually logical if we remember that Mercadona’s exosome and cica mist is recommended for sensitive skin.
It should be noted that phenoxyethanol It is quite regulated for possible risksespecially in children. However, this is not a product formulated for children’s use, so it is not particularly worrying as long as it is in the appropriate doses. If it wasn’t, it couldn’t be marketed, so so far so good. Additionally, it is very late in the formula, so it is in a very low concentration. Another weak point of the INCI is that the process of obtaining tetrasodium glutamate diacetate It is harmful to the environmentso it is an ingredient that should be used less and less.
Cosmetics always contain in their INCI ingredients related to their ease of use and conservation.
My opinion on Mercadona’s exosome and cica mist
After a week of use, I consider that this product is basically what you would expect from reading its INCI. A very hydrating mist, which helps retain water in dry skin. The immediate sensation is of hydration and freshness. I think that in summer, especially if it is placed in the refrigerator, it can be a good option for calming and hydrating without resorting to heavy products. However, I feel that hydration it is not very durable. If used alone, without adding serums or moisturizing creams on top, the soothing and hydrating sensation does not last quite long.
That’s why, I think it may have a fairly high amount of glycerin, which is responsible for giving that quick shot of hydration, but much more modest concentrations of the rest of the interesting ingredients. It should also have a lot of water. After all, it is a very watery mixture. As a result, little concentration is left for other ingredients.
As for exosomes, I think that in this case they are more marketing than components that really make a difference. Would I use it again? Maybe, because I am personally a big fan of moisturizing mists for summer. Do I consider it to be the best low-cost gotu kola product on the market? Not at all. It’s nice and really hydrating, but it’s not a panacea either.
Images | Mercadona/Freepik
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