Name: AHC - Hydration Starter Pack
Brand: AHC

What can the product work for?

Works for

Anti-aging
Evens skin tone
Moisturizing
Anti-blemish
Exfoliation
Anti-oxidation

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Formulated with a complex of Peptides and Vitamins to improve the appearance of wrinkles and dullness, as well as texture, tone and elasticity.

Source: Supderdrug

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol, adenosine, palmitoyl hexapeptide-12.

These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, acetyl hexapeptide-8, ascorbic acid polypeptide, asiaticoside, aspartic acid, copper tripeptide-1, folic acid, hydroxydecyl ubiquinone, lysine, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, serine, threonine.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

retinol 0.1% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating

adenosine 0.15% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)

palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

These products are clinically proven to improve skin hydration, skin elasticity, even skin tone and reduce the appearance of pores after 8-weeks of use.

Source: Supderdrug

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: alanine, cysteine, glucosamine hcl.

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

retinol 0.1% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating

glucosamine hcl 0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Might be able to stimulate production of skin's natural moisturizing compounds such as hyaluronic acid. Could be helpful for evening the skin tone.

alanine 0.15% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: 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

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Hydration Starter Pack

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, arginine.

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: arginine, dimethicone.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, acetyl hexapeptide-8, ascorbic acid polypeptide, ceramide ap, ceramide as, ceramide eop, ceramide np, ceramide ns, copper tripeptide-1, palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, phytosphingosine, urea

glycosyl trehalose 0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

Anti-blemish

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca

retinol 0.1% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating

zinc pca 0.1% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing

oenothera biennis oil 0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

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

Exfoliation

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol.

retinol 0.1% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating

urea 0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

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

lactic acid 0.15% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

Anti-oxidation

This product contains antioxidants (asiaticoside, hydroxydecyl ubiquinone, retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

The following ingredients - ascorbic acid polypeptide, cysteine, epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, ficus carica fruit extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

retinol 0.1% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating

asiaticoside 0.1% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid), asiaticoside has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating

hydroxydecyl ubiquinone 0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

An analogue of coenzyme Q10 that has a lower molecular weight, which can improve its ability to penetrate the skin. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

niacinamide 0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Reduces irritation, Reduces redness, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

niacinamide 0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Reduces irritation, Reduces redness, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

Search top rated products by actives

Potential irritants

cocamidopropyl betaine 1.7% - 2.5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

parfum 0.35% - 0.8%

Irritation risk:

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

Comodogenic ingredients

myristic acid 1.9% - 2.9%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic

lauric acid 1.5% - 2.2%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Cleansing, Anti-blemish, Antibacterial

Helps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes

All ingredients

water 40% - 60%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

glycerin 4.1% - 6.2%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

palmitic acid 3.4% - 5.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Cleansing, Moisturizing

An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Myristic acid, Potassium hydroxide, Lauric acid, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Enteromorpha compressa extract, Codium tomentosum extract, Sodium chloride, Undaria pinnatifida extract, Parfum, Butylene glycol, Sodium benzoate, Potassium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Peg-14m, Arachidic acid, Cellulose gum, 1,2-hexanediol, Disodium edta, Silica, Citrus paradisi fruit extract, Saponaria officinalis leaf/root extract, Maris aqua, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydrogenated lecithin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Sodium hyaluronate, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Ceramide ns, Cholesterol, Ceramide as, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Madecassic acid, Phytosphingosine, Asiatic acid, Asiaticoside, Ceramide eop, Water, Dipropylene glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, 1,2-hexanediol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Alcohol denat., Glycereth-26, Butylene glycol, Enteromorpha compressa extract, Codium tomentosum extract, Undaria pinnatifida extract, Glycereth-25 pca isostearate, Artemisia princeps leaf extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maris aqua, Parfum, Adenosine, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Disodium edta, Biosaccharide gum-1, Sodium hyaluronate, Rosa damascena flower water, Betula alba juice, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydrogenated lecithin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Camellia sinensis leaf water, Ceramide np, Caprylyl glycol, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Daucus carota sativa root water, Chamaecyparis obtusa water, Thuja orientalis extract, Citrus unshiu peel extract, Vitis vinifera fruit water, Oryza sativa bran water, Prunus mume fruit water, Ceramide ns, Ceramide as, Ceramide ap, Cholesterol, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Phytosphingosine, Asiatic acid, Madecassic acid, Asiaticoside, Ceramide eop, Water, Methyl gluceth-20, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Niacinamide, Codium tomentosum extract, Enteromorpha compressa extract, Undaria pinnatifida extract, Glycereth-25 pca isostearate, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Artemisia princeps leaf extract, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Xanthan gum, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maris aqua, Parfum, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-10 oleate, Biosaccharide gum-1, Disodium edta, Trehalose, Sodium hyaluronate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Propanediol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Zinc pca, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Myrothamnus flabellifolia leaf/stem extract, Ceramide np, Cholesterol, Ceramide as, Ceramide ns, Ascorbic acid, Citric acid, Ceramide ap, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Asiatic acid, Phytosphingosine, Madecassic acid, Asiaticoside, Magnesium pca, Sodium lactate, Copper tripeptide-1, Serine, Sucrose, Urea, Glycine, Calcium chloride, Potassium hydroxide, Ornithine, Maris sal, Alanine, Magnesium chloride, Threonine, Histidine, Aspartic acid, Valine, Ceramide eop, Proline, Dipotassium phosphate, Lysine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Isoleucine, Magnesium citrate, Glucosamine hcl, Phenylalanine, Glutamic acid, Arginine, 1-methylhydantoin-2-imide, Asparagine, Citrulline, Uric acid, Methionine, Taurine, Tryptophan, Formic acid, Ammonia, Glutamine, Cysteine, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin), Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-hexanediol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Panthenol, Squalane, Dioscorea japonica root extract, Parfum, Calendula officinalis flower oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycosyl trehalose, Sorbitan isostearate, Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, Butylene glycol, Raffinose, Adenosine, Lecithin, Disodium edta, Hydrogenated lecithin, Xanthan gum, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Borago officinalis seed oil, Oenothera biennis oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Dipropylene glycol, Sodium palmitoyl proline, Ficus carica fruit extract, Centella asiatica extract, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Ceramide np, Folic acid, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydrolyzed lupine protein, Alchemilla vulgaris extract, Bifida ferment lysate, Centaurea cyanus flower water, Helichrysum italicum flower water, Cholesterol, Macadamia integrifolia seed oil, Elaeis guineensis oil, Biosaccharide gum-1, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Schizosaccharomyces ferment filtrate, Collagen extract, Propanediol, Alcohol, Anastatica hierochuntica extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Argania spinosa kernel extract, Phytosphingosine, Tromethamine, Maltodextrin, Acrylates copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Hydroxydecyl ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Caprylyl glycol, Lactic acid, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Sorbitan laurate, Lepidium meyenii root extract, Saccharide hydrolysate, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, Salicornia herbacea extract, Asparagus officinalis stem extract, Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, Oryza sativa extract, Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Mentha piperita leaf extract, Primula veris extract, Malva sylvestris extract, Achillea millefolium extract, Veronica officinalis extract, Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Rutin, Rhododendron ferrugineum extract, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Nymphaea alba flower extract, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Benzyl alcohol, Ascorbic acid polypeptide, Dipotassium phosphate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Plankton extract, Carbomer, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Ceramide ap, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Copper tripeptide-1, Vp/polycarbamyl polyglycol ester, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed sesame protein pg-propyl methylsilanediol, Gluconolactone, Calcium gluconate, Potassium sorbate, Saussurea involucrata extract, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Sodium benzoate, Dehydroacetic acid, Arginine ferulate, Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, Acetyl tripeptide-1, Disodium phosphate, Acetic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Phaseolus lunatus seed extract, Retinol, Sodium lactate, Magnesium pca, Lysine, Leucine, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Sucrose, Cysteine, Proline, Histidine, Calcium chloride, Taurine, Tryptophan, Asparagine, Formic acid, 1-methylhydantoin-2-imide, Magnesium citrate, Magnesium chloride, Citrulline, Ammonia, Ornithine, Uric acid, Tyrosine, Threonine, Phenylalanine, Potassium hydroxide, Alanine, Arginine, Urea, Isoleucine, Maris sal, Aspartic acid, Glycine, Glucosamine hcl, Glutamic acid, Glutamine, Ceramide eop, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl cinnamal, Limonene, Alpha-isomethyl ionone

	AHC - Hydration Starter Pack	Kiehl's - Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum Sponsored	Drunk Elephant - A-Passioni Retinol Cream	innisfree - Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum	No7 - Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate	CeraVe - Retinol Face Serum For Post-Acne Marks	Kiehl's - Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum	Replenix - All-Trans-Retinol Enriched Eye Repair	Clinique - Smart Night™ Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol	PCA SKIN - Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin	Patchology - CloudMasque Restoring Night Cream	Sweet Chef - Sweet Skin Sampler
Price
WIMJ similarity score		61%	66%	63%	63%	61%	61%	61%	61%	60%	59%	59%
Key ingredients	acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester copper tripeptide-1 +70 more	Common: niacinamide retinol +6 more Other: hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine tocopherol +2 more	Common: retinol niacinamide +9 more Other: linoleic acid passiflora edulis seed oil +12 more	Common: niacinamide retinol +10 more Other: acetyl tetrapeptide-11 glycine soja oil +6 more	Common: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester niacinamide +7 more Other: bisabolol centella asiatica leaf extract +1 more	Common: niacinamide retinol +7 more Other: dimethiconol dipotassium glycyrrhizate +1 more	Common: niacinamide retinol +6 more Other: hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine tocopherol +2 more	Common: niacinamide retinol +6 more Other: ascorbic acid dipeptide-2 +8 more	Common: niacinamide retinol +8 more Other: linoleic acid hydroxyethyl urea +7 more	Common: retinol niacinamide +5 more Other: hexylresorcinol polysilicone-11 +4 more	Common: retinol niacinamide +11 more Other: fructooligosaccharides hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid +6 more	Common: retinol copper tripeptide-1 +12 more Other: ascorbyl glucoside anhydroxylitol +17 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY HIGH
Potential Irritants	alpha-isomethyl ionone Has skin benefit? limonene Has skin benefit? +90 more	phenethyl alcohol Has skin benefit? retinol Has skin benefit? +7 more	n-hydroxysuccinimide Has skin benefit? physalis pubescens fruit juice Has skin benefit? +37 more	salicylic acid Has skin benefit? retinol Has skin benefit? +10 more	retinol Has skin benefit? benzoic acid Has skin benefit? +8 more	alcohol Has skin benefit? retinol Has skin benefit? +8 more	phenethyl alcohol Has skin benefit? retinol Has skin benefit? +7 more	albizia julibrissin bark extract Has skin benefit? hesperidin methyl chalcone Has skin benefit? +15 more	triacetin Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +17 more	zingiber officinale root extract Has skin benefit? decyl glucoside Has skin benefit? +12 more	parfum Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +27 more	linalool Has skin benefit? rose flower oil Has skin benefit? +78 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +335 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +42 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +61 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +33 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +28 more	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +31 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +42 more	water Has skin benefit? cyclomethicone Has skin benefit? +46 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +47 more	water Has skin benefit? isododecane Has skin benefit? +44 more	water Has skin benefit? cetyl ethylhexanoate Has skin benefit? +54 more	unknown Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +171 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

AHC Hydration Starter Pack

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

What can the product work for?

Works for

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-blemish

Exfoliation

Anti-oxidation

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

UK Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

Similar products & dupes

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources