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Aveda Botanical Kinetics INTENSE HYDRATING ESSENCE LOTION
Aveda

Aveda Botanical Kinetics INTENSE HYDRATING ESSENCE LOTION

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Chlorella vulgaris extract + 3 more
Works
What the product description says
“Botanical Kinetics™ INTENSE HYDRATING ESSENCE LOTION”
Source: Aveda

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4–6%
Chlorella vulgaris extractKey activeEffect: MediumA plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties~3.7–5.5%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~2.6–3.9%
Sodium pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~2–2.9%
Hydrolyzed alginKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumDerived from brown algae. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~1.3–1.9%
Exfoliation
Side benefit · Salicylic acid, Maris sal
Works well

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: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.55–1.3%
Maris salEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed 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~1.1–1.6%
Anti-blemish
Side benefit · Salicylic acid
Works well

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

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.55–1.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Parfum, Citronellol + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.55–1.3%est.
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~0.85–1.3%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.35–0.8%est.
CitronellolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.8%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.65%est.
Menthol—High~0.1–0.5%est.
Chlorella vulgaris extractA plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory propertiesMedium~3.7–5.5%est.
CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesMedium~1.5–2.2%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 concentrationMedium~1.1–1.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Chlorella vulgaris extractA plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties3/5~3.7–5.5%est.
Hydrolyzed alginDerived from brown algae. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin3/5~1.3–1.9%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner
Paula's choice Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner
Higher efficacy · 100/10096% match
Aloe BHA Skin Toner
Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner
Cheaper92% match
$10.99
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~4–6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
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

More about Glycerin
Chlorella vulgaris extract~3.7–5.5%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

More about Chlorella vulgaris extract
Sodium hyaluronate~2.6–3.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Sodium pca~2–2.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca
Caffeine~1.5–2.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
De-puffingAnti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

More about Caffeine
Hydrolyzed algin~1.3–1.9%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Derived from brown algae. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrolyzed algin
Maris sal~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Exfoliation

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 sal
Salicylic acid~0.55–1.3%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryExfoliationAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Decyl glucoside~0.85–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Citric acid~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Parfum~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Citronellol~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citronellol
Geraniol~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Menthol~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Rose flower oil/extract~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Rose flower oil/extract
Sodium citrate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Sodium phytate~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Chlorella vulgaris extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium pca, Caffeine, Hydrolyzed algin, Maris sal, Salicylic acid, Decyl glucoside, Citric acid, Parfum, Citronellol, Geraniol, Menthol, Rose flower oil/extract, Sodium citrate, Sodium phytate, Phenoxyethanol

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
AvedaBotanical Kinetics INTENSE HYDRATING ESSENCE LOTIONYOUR PRODUCTPaula's choiceHydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing TonerBentonAloe BHA Skin TonerBiodermaSebium Lotion Rebalancing water oil
Match—96%92%90%
Price$35.00—$10.99−$24.01$13.23−$21.77
Shared key ingredients—3 of 53 of 52 of 5
Key difference—PanthenolArginineFructooligosaccharides
Irritancy High Low Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin careresearchgate.net
  4. 4
    Safety Assessment of Plant Polysaccharide Gums as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  5. 5
    Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
Aveda Botanical Kinetics INTENSE HYDRATING ESSENCE LOTION
AvedaBotanical Kinetics INTENSE HYDRATING ESSENCE LOTION
Buy at Aveda$35.00Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Aveda$35.00Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.