Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingUrea, Cyclomethicone + 15 moreStrong evidence
“Active Moisture Gel 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:
alanine, cyclomethicone.
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: dimethiconol, squalene.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Creatine, SqualeneModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (creatine, squalene) 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 · Creatine, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceModerate evidence
This product contains creatine. This ingredient 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?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Actinidia chinensis fruit water, Parfum + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycereth-26~4.4–6.6%
Cyclomethicone~3.2–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
More about CyclomethiconeIsodecyl neopentanoate~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.
More about Isodecyl neopentanoateAloe barbadensis leaf juice~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juicePropanediol~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~1.4–2.1%
- 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 GlycerinCyclopentasiloxane~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxanePeg/ppg-19/19 dimethicone~1–1.45%
Squalene~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
More about SqualeneSodium lactate~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateTrehalose~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehalosePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl methicone~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconePropylene carbonate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateQuaternium-18 hectorite~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chitosan succinamide~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sea water~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water
More about Sea waterDimethiconol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolAlanine~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking
More about AlanineCreatine~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can support skin's ability to neutralize free radicals and produce collagen, though further research is needed to confirm effectiveness
More about CreatineDehydroacetic acid~0.1–0.3%
Glycine~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineMagnesium aspartate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and calm down inflammation in skin
More about Magnesium aspartateSaccharide hydrolysate~0.05–0.25%
Urea~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaIsodecyl isononanoate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Actinidia chinensis fruit water~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Claimed to have anti-oxidant properties but it is unlikely that it can have an effect in the skin
More about Actinidia chinensis fruit waterAllantoin~0.05–0.2%
- 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 AllantoinParfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBenzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation protecting it from sun light
More about Benzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresolHydrolyzed corn protein~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg-12 dimethicone/ppg-20 crosspolymer~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Peg-12 dimethicone/ppg-20 crosspolymerLinum usitatissimum seed extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.3%
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalBenzyl salicylate~0.05–0.2%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.2%
Limonene~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneHydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehydeGeraniol~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycereth-26, Cyclomethicone, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Peg/ppg-19/19 dimethicone, Squalene, Sodium lactate, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl methicone, Propylene carbonate, Quaternium-18 hectorite, Chitosan succinamide, Sea water, Dimethiconol, Alanine, Creatine, Dehydroacetic acid, Glycine, Magnesium aspartate, Saccharide hydrolysate, Urea, Isodecyl isononanoate, Actinidia chinensis fruit water, Allantoin, Parfum, Benzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresol, Hydrolyzed corn protein, Peg-12 dimethicone/ppg-20 crosspolymer, Linum usitatissimum seed extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Benzyl salicylate, Hexyl cinnamal, Limonene, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Geraniol
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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.
| AhavaActive Moisture Gel CreamYOUR PRODUCT | NeutrogenaHydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Gel Cream Fragrance Free | The OrdinaryNatural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan | MineraliumRejuvenating Night Complex For All Skin Types | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 58% | 56% |
| Price | $32.57 | $22.35−$10.22 | $10.28−$22.29 | $236.64+$204.07 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 13 | 6 of 13 | 7 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Arginine | Anhydroxylitol | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Ahava - Active Moisture Gel Cream" works well for improving skin hydration As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (urea, alanine, cyclomethicone, glycerin and glycine) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (cyclomethicone, dimethiconol, squalene, cyclopentasiloxane and isodecyl neopentanoate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: allantoinIrritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 58.50A$ up to 59.95A$ in Australia and for 25.20£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Squalene and its potential clinical useseuropepmc.org
- 4
- 5Enhanced comedo formation in rabbit ear skin by squalene and oleic acid peroxidesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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