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Avène Hydrance Hydrating Aqua Cream-in-Gel
Avène

Avène Hydrance Hydrating Aqua Cream-in-Gel

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium
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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing
13 ingredients credited for this claim
Good support
What the product description says
“Hydrance Hydrating Aqua Cream-in-Gel”
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: betaine, 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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.

BetaineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~1–1.5%
PhytosterolsKey active· EmollientEffect: HighLipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function~0.15–0.55%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.05–0.25%
SqualaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~0.1–0.3%
TriethylhexanoinKey activeEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~1.2–1.8%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~1.3–2%
Cucurbita pepo seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.6%
DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~2.1–3.1%
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%
Methyl gluceth-20Key active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it~0.8–1.2%
Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowA type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~0.35–0.8%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~3.7–5.5%
Isocetyl stearoyl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~1.6–2.5%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~3.7–5.5%est.
TriethylhexanoinHelps soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~1.2–1.8%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~1.3–2%est.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.45–1%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
C12-20 alkyl glucosideHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.3–0.75%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
PhytosterolsLipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier functionMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Potassium hydroxideUsed to adjust the pH level of productsMedium~0.1–0.45%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~0.1–0.3%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
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Cheaper Alternatives
Similar formulations, better price
Face Hydrance: Aqua-Gel
Eau Thermale Avene Face Hydrance: Aqua-Gel
50% match
$30.67
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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
Pentylene glycol~3.7–5.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Hexanediol~2.7–4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps dissolve other ingredients

More about Hexanediol
Dimethicone~2.1–3.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

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 Dimethicone
Isocetyl stearoyl stearate~1.6–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Isocetyl stearoyl stearate
Triethylhexanoin~1.2–1.8%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Triethylhexanoin
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~1.3–2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Betaine~1–1.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Betaine
Methyl gluceth-20~0.8–1.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it

More about Methyl gluceth-20
Polyglyceryl-10 myristate~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Polyglyceryl-10 myristate
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.45–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together

More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
Bht~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane
C12-20 alkyl glucoside~0.3–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about C12-20 alkyl glucoside
C14-22 alcohols~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A non-drying alcohol that helps stabilize product formulations

More about C14-22 alcohols
Carbomer~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Citric acid~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Cucurbita pepo seed oil~0.15–0.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Cucurbita pepo seed oil
Parfum~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Phytosterols~0.15–0.55%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function

More about Phytosterols
Potassium hydroxide~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to adjust the pH level of products

More about Potassium hydroxide
Sodium citrate~0.1–0.3%
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 dextran sulfate~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Sodium dextran sulfate
Sodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.25%
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
Squalane~0.1–0.3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane
Tocopheryl glucoside~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidation

Antioxidant that helps stabilize product formulations and, if used in higher concentration, might help neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Tocopheryl glucoside
Water~0.01–0.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Isocetyl stearoyl stearate, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Betaine, Methyl gluceth-20, Polyglyceryl-10 myristate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Bht, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, C14-22 alcohols, Carbomer, Citric acid, Cucurbita pepo seed oil, Parfum, Phytosterols, Potassium hydroxide, Sodium citrate, Sodium dextran sulfate, Sodium hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopheryl glucoside, Water

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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
AvèneHydrance Hydrating Aqua Cream-in-GelYOUR PRODUCTEau Thermale AveneFace Hydrance: Aqua-Gel
Match—50%
Price$31.60$30.67−$0.93
Shared key ingredients—9 of 9
Key difference——
Irritancy 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 9 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medicationsjaad.org
  3. 3
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
  4. 4
    Amended Safety Assessment of Triglycerides as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  5. 5
    Contact dermatitis caused by alkyl glucosides in the modern cosmetic industry and contact dermatitis in the Canadian aircraft industrydigitool.library.mcgill.ca
  6. 6
    Safety Assessment of Decyl Glucoside and Other Alkyl Glucosides as Used in Cosmeticsciteseerx.ist.psu.edu
Avène Hydrance Hydrating Aqua Cream-in-Gel
AvèneHydrance Hydrating Aqua Cream-in-Gel
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.