Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturizer with SPF 15
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
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.
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This non-greasy, barely-there makeup primer may also assist in shielding skin from aging blue light damage.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl tetrapeptide-2.
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.
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturizer with SPF 15”
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:
glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
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, diisopropyl adipate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl tetrapeptide-2, niacinamide
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
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.
This product can also help with skin tone because it offers sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (dimethylmethoxy chromanol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Pelargonium graveolens oil, Citral + 4 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~45–55%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~5.3–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateOctocrylene~4.8–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about OctocryleneDicaprylyl ether~3.2–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherHomosalate~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about Homosalate4-methylbenzylidene camphor~2.6–3.1%
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone~1.3–1.6%
- 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 DimethiconeNiacinamide~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about NiacinamideButyrospermum parkii butter~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterSodium polyacrylate~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateGlycerin~0.55–0.8%
- 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 GlycerinSorbitan stearate~0.5–0.7%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolVaccinium myrtillus leaf extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractCaprylyl glycol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCaffeine~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeinePelargonium graveolens oil~0.3–0.55%
Pinus radiata bark extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Diisopropyl adipate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateDisodium edta~0.25–0.5%
Lecithin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPropanediol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAcrylic acid/acrylamidomethyl propane sulfonic acid copolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethylmethoxy chromanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Dimethylmethoxy chromanolGlyceryl caprylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateXanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAcetyl tetrapeptide-2~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl tetrapeptide-2Hexapeptide-10~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citral~0.15–0.25%
Citronellol~0.15–0.25%
Geraniol~0.1–0.2%
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Octocrylene, Dicaprylyl ether, Homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Sodium polyacrylate, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Glycerin, Sorbitan stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Vaccinium myrtillus leaf extract, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Caprylyl glycol, Caffeine, Pelargonium graveolens oil, Pinus radiata bark extract, Diisopropyl adipate, Disodium edta, Lecithin, Propanediol, Tocopheryl acetate, Acrylic acid/acrylamidomethyl propane sulfonic acid copolymer, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Glyceryl caprylate, Xanthan gum, Acetyl tetrapeptide-2, Hexapeptide-10, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, 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.
| Alpha-HEssential Skin Perfecting Moisturizer with SPF 15YOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeAM Facial Moisturiser SPF25 - Normal to Dry Skin | OlayLuminous Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 | La Roche-PosayDouble Repair Face Moisturizer UV SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 83% | 83% | 83% |
| Price | $48.00 | $20.48−$27.52 | $29.84−$18.16 | $20.99−$27.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 12 | 6 of 12 | 6 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Ap | Panthenol | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 25 | SPF 25 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Alpha-H - Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturizer with SPF 15" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called" chemical ", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 2.00% - 2.40%, uvinul a plus 0.75% - 1.10%, homosalate 3.30% - 4.00% and octocrylene 4.80% - 5.80%.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty" Alpha-H "is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 47.96A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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