Ahava

Age Control Eye Cream

Name: Ahava - Age Control Eye Cream
Brand: Ahava

Efficacy 37/100·Medium irritancy

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 1 of 2 advertised claims delivered

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Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

9 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Good evidence

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: cyclomethicone, glycerin.

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: cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane.

PANTHENOLRole: Under-dosedHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.2–0.35%

CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACTRole: Under-dosedA 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.~0.4–0.65%

CYCLOMETHICONERole: Key activeA type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer~3.1–3.8%

CYCLOPENTASILOXANERole: Key activeA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~7.1–8.7%

GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~1.7–2.1%

PEG/PPG-18/18 DIMETHICONERole: Key activeA silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture~4–4.8%

SACCHARIDE ISOMERATERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.4%

ALLANTOINRole: Under-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.15–0.25%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.6%

Anti-aging

1 ingredient contributes at the levels below

Weak evidence

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

CyclopentasiloxaneRole: Key activeA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~7.1–8.7%

Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeRole: Key activeA silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture~4–4.8%

CyclomethiconeRole: Key activeA type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer~3.1–3.8%

Dimethicone crosspolymerRole: Key activeUsed to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface~2.3–2.8%

GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~1.7–2.1%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.6%

Saccharide isomerateRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.4%

Dunaliella salina extractRole: Key activeA green micro-algae extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but solid evidence is lacking. It helps to soften the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.2%

Irritancy

9 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.45–0.65%est.

Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.65%est.

Isostearyl isostearateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenicLow~1.9–2.4%est.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally 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 skinLow~0.95–1.15%est.

Centella asiatica extractA 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.Low~0.4–0.65%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.3–0.6%est.

Maris salUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentrationLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Ceratonia siliqua gumUsed to stabilize product formulations and create thicker consistencyLow~0.15–0.3%est.

Polyglyceryl-4 isostearateHelps water and oil mix togetherLow~0.1–0.15%est.

Comedogenic

Isostearyl isostearate ~1.9–2.4% — rinse-off or low %

Some risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Isostearyl isostearateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenicHigh~1.9–2.4%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels