Artelac Nighttime Gel

Overall target layer: All three layers together

Preservative and its effect: It actually contains two preservation-related substances: (1) cetrimide – a traditional cationic antiseptic and the main antimicrobial preservative, which may cause irritation with frequent or long-term use; (2) sodium edetate (EDTA) – a chelating agent that acts as a "preservative potentiator" by binding the metal ions bacteria need to grow, thereby strengthening the effect of cetrimide. The manufacturer recommends nighttime use only to limit repeated exposure to both.

Ingredients:

• Carbomer (0.2%): high-viscosity gel that stays on the ocular surface all night (target layer: aqueous + mucin adhesion)

• Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT): supports the lipid layer and reduces overnight evaporation (target layer: lipid)

• Sorbitol: osmotic balance (target layer: aqueous)

Additional benefits (beyond lubrication): The combination of carbomer with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) makes it one of the few gels that directly support the lipid layer in addition to lubrication – designed specifically for nighttime, not daytime, use