This is the famous Mercadona cream with Dragon’s Blood that is advertised as an antioxidant and regenerator . Thousands of women have already tried it due to its reasonable price (€ 5), and its good reviews.
According to the brand, the cream is formulated with a “ powerful antioxidant and regenerating extract obtained from the red sap of the Croton Lechleri tree ”. It helps protect the skin from free radical damage, thus delaying the signs of aging.
In addition, it provides extra softness and elasticity, leaving the complexion with a visibly rejuvenated appearance.
But is it possible that a cream of only € 5 can have good ingredients? This is what we are going to find out by analyzing its ingredients.
And after finding out, you can’t miss our article with the best dragon blood creams you can find right now. Spoiler: Beauté Mediterranea is not our favorite.
Index
Dragon´s Blood of Beauty Mediterranea analysis
- Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate : Analyzed in Mercadona’s 9.60 anti-wrinkle cream for men .
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf juice) : Analyzed in the Fiori di Cipria anti-wrinkle cream for men .
- C12-20 Acid Peg-8 Ester : Analyzed in the anti-wrinkle cream with aloe vera from Pere Marve Cosmetics .
- Benzophenone-3 : Tested in Neutrogena Men’s Age Fighter Wrinkle Cream as Oxybenzone.
- Propylene Glycol : Tested in the L’Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 eye contour .
- Decyl Oleate : Analyzed in Transparent Clinic’s Hydra Collagen cream .
- Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Glyceryl Stearate : Analyzed in Fiori di Cipria’s anti-wrinkle cream for men .
- Glycerin : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Hydrolyzed collagen : Analyzed in the Nezeni Cosmetics Antiage eye contour .
- Tocopheryl Acetate : Analyzed in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Tocopherol : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Allantoin : Analyzed in the outline of Sisbela de Mercadona .
- Croton Lechleri Resin Extract (Croton Lechleri Resin Powder) : Analyzed in Rodial’s facial toner .
- Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate : Tested in Estée Lauder Perfectionist CP + R Serum .
- Carbomer : Analyzed in the Youth Eye Complex eye contour from iS Clinical .
- Cetyl Phosphate : Analyzed in the eye contour LIFTACTIV Vichy Eyes as Potassium Cetyl Phosphate.
- Triethanolamine : It is an amine produced by reacting ethylene oxide (considered highly toxic) with ammonia (another known toxin). It is used as a buffering agent, masking and fragrance ingredient, and surfactant, in addition to its primary use as a pH adjuster. It is also used in conjunction with fatty acids to convert acid to salt, which in turn becomes the base of a cleaner. Triethanolamine was determined to be “safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products designed for short-term, discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsing of the skin surface. In products intended for prolonged contact with the skin, the concentration of triethanolamine should not exceed 5%.
- Dimethicone : Tested in Shiseido Men’s Wrinkle Cream .
- BHT : Tested in Shiseido Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream .
- Tropolone : Analyzed in Fiori di Cipria’s anti-wrinkle cream for men .
- Caprylyl Glycol : Analyzed in the Youth Eye Complex from iS Clinical .
- 1,2-Hexanediol : Analyzed in the outline of Sisbela de Mercadona .
- Phenoxyethanol : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Parfum (Fragrance) .
- Geraniol : Tested on Decleor’s Harmonie Calms eye contour .
- Butylphenyl Methylpropional : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Citronellol : Tested in Shiseido Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream .
- Linalool : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
Dragon’s Blood analysis summary of Beauté Mediterranea
The Beauté Mediterranea Dragon’s Blood cream has an SPF 12 , and this can be seen as soon as you start the list, as we find a couple of sun filters.
The problem is that this protection factor is quite low, and if we are going to go out, we will have to use a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher on top. It is a help, but the half measures in the protection against the sun are not worth it.
One of the most concentrated active ingredients in the formula is aloe vera , which is one of the best moisturizers and regenerators out there. So I suspect that the regenerating part attributed to the cream comes from this active ingredient.
The following ingredients are basically moisturizers, lubricants and emollients that leave a smooth feeling and a smooth complexion. This guarantees that when applying the cream, the texture and sensation it leaves is very pleasant.
These ingredients are complemented with hydrolyzed collagen, which reduces flaking, increases flexibility and favors the creation of new natural collagen by our dermis, although its anti-wrinkle effect is very limited.
And then we find the rest of the active ingredients in the formula, vitamin E that provides an antioxidant action, allantoin , a botanical extract that exfoliates dead cells and is soothing, and the active ingredient that gives the product its name: Dragon’s Blood .
It is the latter that is responsible for the antioxidant action of the cream, preventing the signs of aging from showing prematurely.
And basically these are are all the compounds that bring something positive to the product.
There are also those who contribute something negative, there are also several. A humectant in the beginning is an irritant and sensitizer ; Decyl Oleate is derived from a fatty acid and turns out to be comedogenic (it clogs pores, beware oily skin!); Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate has some developmental and reproductive toxicity .
In addition there is an eye irritant, perfume, and various synthetic fragrances. Preservatives are also high, which can increase the combined effect of cosmetics.
In summary, the Beauté Mediterranea Dragon’s Blood cream has only 4 active ingredients, which would not be a problem if all of them were in high concentrations.
But of them, only aloe vera is at the top of the list . So instead of being advertised as a cream with dragon’s blood, it is more appropriate that it be called aloe vera, since it is what it has the most.
There is nothing wrong with this, since aloe vera is a very interesting ingredient for the skin, and it has many benefits. And for the price it has, it is very good.
Many people think that this cream is anti-wrinkle, and it will be able to reduce wrinkles and lines on the face. But this is not what you can do.
What it will do is to deeply hydrate, regenerate damaged skin and, in the best of cases, prevent the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes and other signs of photoaging.
Only the problem remains of the negative effects that it can leave on your skin (and on your health) that may not be noticed immediately, but that will accumulate over time, and can bring long-term problems.
Although it is a cheap cosmetic, it does not give carte blanche to put anything on your face. And more if you already know what it includes. That is why I always leave an alternative that, in my opinion, is better for the skin and for the health.
Alternative
This is why I like Nezeni Cosmetics Antiage cream so much , because it does not have any irritants or harmful ingredients, and its level of preservatives is very low.
In addition, the assets it has (which includes dragon blood) are present in high concentrations. Which means that it is not only an excellent ally to reduce the depth of wrinkles and prevent their appearance, but it also takes care of our health in the long term.
You have more information about her in the link you have above.
Kathie Sand always saw the world of beauty as the terrain on which to build her professional career, a goal that was clear to her when she was only 15 years old. Her great concern to expand knowledge led her to settle in Paris where she studied hand in hand with the best beauty professionals and with the most advanced techniques for skin care.
