Ahava Essential Day Moisture for Normal to Dry to Skin
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingUrea, Dimethicone + 13 moreStrong evidence
“Essential Day Moisture for Normal to Dry to Skin”
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, 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: dimethicone, isopropyl myristate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea
Anti-agingCreatine, Tocopherol + 1 moreModerate evidence
“It gives a youthful look that helps you navigate your day with confidence. . Protects against environmental damage with Vitamin E . Soothes with Aloe Vera.”
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Creatine, TocopherolModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (creatine) 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Parfum, Butylphenyl methylpropional + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Ethylhexyl palmitate~6–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateIsopropyl myristate~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateGlyceryl stearate~2.9–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCetyl alcohol~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholPropanediol~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alanine~1.4–1.7%
- 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~1.2–1.5%
- 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 CreatineGlycerin~1.1–1.3%
- 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 GlycerinGlycine~0.7–1.05%
- 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~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and calm down inflammation in skin
More about Magnesium aspartateSaccharide hydrolysate~0.55–0.8%
Urea~0.5–0.75%
- 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 UreaEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamatePeg-40 stearate~0.45–0.7%
Sorbitan tristearate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan tristearateCaprylyl glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Phenoxyethanol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMaris sal~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used 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 concentration
More about Maris salSea water~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water
More about Sea waterAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.2–0.4%
- 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 juiceDimethicone~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeAllantoin~0.2–0.35%
- 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~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumTocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolButylphenyl methylpropional~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalCoumarin~0.15–0.25%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.1–0.2%
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehydeLinalool~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Isopropyl myristate, Glyceryl stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Propanediol, Unknown, Glycol, Alanine, Creatine, Glycerin, Glycine, Magnesium aspartate, Saccharide hydrolysate, Urea, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Peg-40 stearate, Sorbitan tristearate, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Maris sal, Unknown, Sea water, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Dimethicone, Allantoin, Parfum, Tocopherol, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Coumarin, Hexyl cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Linalool
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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.
| AhavaEssential Day Moisture for Normal to Dry to SkinYOUR PRODUCT | MineraliumRejuvenating Night Complex For All Skin Types | UltraLuxeHydrasoft Cream | IOPEHyaluronic Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 57% | 54% |
| Price | — | — | $96.00 | $35.19 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 12 | 11 of 12 | 6 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Lactic Acid | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Ahava - Essential Day Moisture for Normal to Dry to Skin" works well for improving skin hydration This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Urea, alanine, glycerin, glycine and saccharide hydrolysate in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Isopropyl myristate, dimethicone, cetyl alcohol, ethylhexyl palmitate and caprylyl 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.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
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