Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPalmitoyl tripeptide-1, Centella asiatica extract + 10 moreStrong evidence
“Real Aqua Balancing Stick Cream”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: palmitoyl tripeptide-1, bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tripeptide-1
Evens skin toneGlycyrrhiza uralensis root extractLimited evidence
“Additionally, cica extract provides benefits such as strengthening the skin barrier, increasing elasticity, and fading dark spots.”
This product contains ingredients (glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Centella asiatica extractModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (centella asiatica extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Centella asiatica extractModerate evidence
This product contains centella asiatica extract, palmitoyl tripeptide-1. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Centella asiatica extract~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractButylene glycol~5.3–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolBis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~4.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneGlycerin~3.4–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSodium stearate~3.2–4.8%
Pentylene glycol~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.6–1.4%
Sedum sarmentosum extract~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Houttuynia cordata extract~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.9–1.3%
Allantoin~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinGlycyrrhiza uralensis root extract~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Licorice root extract. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractBht~0.45–1.05%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSaccharide isomerate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateHydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerSodium acetylated hyaluronate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of hyaluronic acid that works as an excellent moisturizer by attracting water into the upper layer of the skin. Is typically feels less sticky on the skin compared to the usual hyaluronic acid
More about Sodium acetylated hyaluronatePalmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Ci 42090~0.1–0.3%
Ci 17200~0.05–0.3%
Ingredient list view
Centella asiatica extract, Butylene glycol, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Glycerin, Sodium stearate, Pentylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Sedum sarmentosum extract, Houttuynia cordata extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Bht, Sodium hyaluronate, Saccharide isomerate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Ci 42090, Ci 17200
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ACWELLReal Aqua Balancing Stick CreamYOUR PRODUCT | NEOGEN X SUR.MEDICDermalogy Probiotics Youth Repair Cream | e.l.f. CosmeticsFragrance Free Holy Hydration! Face Cream | MiildSkin Love The Comfort Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 51% | 51% |
| Price | $30.00 | $28.32−$1.68 | $12.13−$17.87 | $82.36+$52.36 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 | 3 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Hexapeptide-9 | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | High | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"ACWELL - Real Aqua Balancing Stick Cream" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, saccharide isomerate, sodium acetylated hyaluronate and sodium hyaluronate) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane and pentylene glycol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.60%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- In addition, this moisturizer contains Allantoin (0.45% - 1.10%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 30.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Centella asiatica in cosmetologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Contact dermatitis due to Madecassolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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