"Ahava - Essential Moisturizing Lotion SPF15" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.

Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen uses so-called" chemical ", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 0.45% - 1.10%, octisalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 2.71% (declared).

Irritation 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 48.17A$ up to 59.95A$ in Australia, from 34.99$ up to 45.00$ in the United States and from 31.08£ up to 34.99£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Does not work for

Sun protection

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Its antioxidant and SPF-rich formula help to protect skin from premature ageing.

Source: Beauty Expert

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. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).

creatine 0.1% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Can support skin's ability to neutralize free radicals and produce collagen, though further research is needed to confirm effectiveness

tocopherol 0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.15% - 0.65%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Essential Moisturizing Lotion SPF15

Source: From product name

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, allantoin.

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, squalene.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea

helianthus annuus sprout extract 0.05% - 0.2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can help support the skin barrier

octyldodecyl neopentanoate 0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen

saccharide hydrolysate 0.05% - 0.2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Anti-oxidation

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.

creatine 0.1% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Can support skin's ability to neutralize free radicals and produce collagen, though further research is needed to confirm effectiveness

squalene 0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

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

zingiber officinale root extract 0.05% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking

Sun protection

This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.

This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.

octocrylene 2.71%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.

butyloctyl salicylate 0.45% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

allantoin 3.8% - 5.7%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-inflammatory, Reduces irritation, Reduces redness, Anti-blemish, Exfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.15% - 0.65%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation, Antibacterial, Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone

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Potential irritants

benzyl alcohol 0.35% - 0.8%

Irritation risk:

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

cinnamomum cassia bark extract 0.1% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

Comodogenic ingredients

isostearyl isostearate 0.1% - 0.35%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenic

porphyra umbilicalis extract 0.05% - 0.25%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-oxidation

An algae extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have an anti-oxidant effect in skin but evidence is lacking

All ingredients

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.

ethylhexyl salicylate 5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen

octocrylene 2.71%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

Ingredient list view

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, 1,2-hexanediol, Alanine, Allantoin, Aloe barbadensis leaf water, Water, Ascorbyl palmitate, Benzyl alcohol, Beta-sitosterol, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl salicylate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Caprylyl glycol, Cetearyl olivate, Cetyl palmitate, Cetyl phosphate, Cinnamomum cassia bark extract, Commiphora abyssinica resin extract, Creatine, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Cyclomethicone, Dehydroacetic acid, Dimethicone, Disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Hamamelis virginiana water, Helianthus annuus sprout extract, Hydrogenated vegetable glycerides citrate, Isostearyl isostearate, Lecithin, Magnesium aspartate, Maris aqua, Unknown, Sea water, Nylon-6/12, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract, Panthenol, Parfum, Peg-40 stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Porphyra umbilicalis extract, Propanediol, Unknown, Glycol, Propylene carbonate, Propylene glycol, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Pvp, Quaternium-18 hectorite, Saccharide hydrolysate, Salicylic acid, Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Sorbitan olivate, Sorbitan palmitate, Sorbitan tristearate, Squalene, Tocopherol, Urea, Xanthan gum, Zingiber officinale root extract

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Price
WIMJ similarity score		53%	49%	49%	49%	48%	48%	47%	47%	45%	45%
SPF	SPF 15	SPF 30	SPF 30	SPF 20	SPF 15	SPF 35	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 50
Key ingredients	panthenol urea +18 more	Common: urea panthenol +6 more Other: linoleic acid palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 +17 more	Common: panthenol urea +6 more Other: copper tripeptide-1 retinyl palmitate +13 more	Common: panthenol bisabolol +5 more Other: camellia oleifera leaf extract benzophenone-3 +1 more	Common: panthenol dimethicone +5 more Other: niacinamide ascorbic acid +6 more	Common: urea butyloctyl salicylate +6 more Other: linoleic acid acetyl hexapeptide-8 +15 more	Common: panthenol butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane +5 more Other: gluconolactone carnosine +11 more	Common: urea panthenol +2 more Other: ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate sodium polyacrylate +2 more	Common: panthenol dimethicone +3 more Other: retinyl palmitate ceramide 3 +5 more	Common: panthenol urea +3 more Other: caprylic/capric triglyceride bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine +2 more	Common: panthenol butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane +3 more Other: butyrospermum parkii butter diethylhexyl butamido triazone +4 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM
Potential Irritants	zingiber officinale root extract Has skin benefit? salicylic acid Has skin benefit? +20 more	morus alba bark extract Has skin benefit? carica papaya fruit extract Has skin benefit? +18 more	linalool Has skin benefit? limonene Has skin benefit? +18 more	parfum Has skin benefit? benzophenone-3 Has skin benefit? +9 more	parfum Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +12 more	myristyl alcohol Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +19 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? acacia decurrens flower wax Has skin benefit? +20 more	hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde Has skin benefit? butylphenyl methylpropional Has skin benefit? +10 more	retinyl palmitate Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +14 more	commiphora myrrha oil Has skin benefit? chamomilla recutita flower oil Has skin benefit? +19 more	panax ginseng root extract Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +18 more
All ingredients	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl salicylate Has skin benefit? +64 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +59 more	homosalate Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl salicylate Has skin benefit? +56 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +25 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +35 more	water Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +54 more	water Has skin benefit? octocrylene Has skin benefit? +41 more	water Has skin benefit? c12-15 alkyl benzoate Has skin benefit? +31 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +31 more	water Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? +37 more	water Has skin benefit? c12-15 alkyl benzoate Has skin benefit? +35 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Ahava Essential Moisturizing Lotion SPF15

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Sunscreen filters

Irritation risk

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-oxidation

Sun protection

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

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Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources