Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, "DHC - EGF Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. DHC - EGF Cream ticks this box. Arginine, glycerin, hydrolyzed collagen, mannitol and sodium hyaluronate in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, hydrolyzed collagen, arginine, butyrospermum parkii butter and caprylic/capric triglyceride) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.

Ingredient callouts

this moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.25% - 0.50%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.15% - 0.30%, palmitoyl oligopeptide 0.30% - 0.50% and oligopeptide-1 0.15% - 0.25%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. 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 for 92.00$ in the United States, from 59.98£ up to 80.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 95.70CA$ in Canada.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Renew your skin’s radiance with DHC’s EGF Cream ; an advanced, age-fighting moisturizer.

Source: SkincareRX

This product contains oligopeptide-1, palmitoyl oligopeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, serine, tocotrienols. These ingredients 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.

tocotrienols 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms

serine 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.15% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

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

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

EGF Cream

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: arginine, 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: arginine, butyrospermum parkii butter.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: oligopeptide-1, palmitoyl oligopeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7

arginine 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk: