PRODUCT REVIEW
e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Water Essence
Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
- Anti-blemish
Show more
Can it cause trouble?
Add to Compare
Cheaper alternatives
What can the product work for?
Works for
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
sodium pca
0.8% -
1.25%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
trehalose
2.8% -
4.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
urea
0.5% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
Show more
Anti-blemish
niacinamide
2.2% -
3.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
Anti-aging
niacinamide
2.2% -
3.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
Evens skin tone
niacinamide
2.2% -
3.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
Buy now
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
rosa damascena extract
1.5% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
chondrus crispus extract
1.9% -
2.8%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
Similar products & dupes
e.l.f. Cosmetics - Hydrating Water Essence | Mizon - Collagen Power Lifting Toner Sponsored | Comfort Zone - Hydramemory Essence | Skincare by Dr V - Super Hydrating Toner | Hey Honey - Tone It Up - Propolis & Echinacea Herbal Toner | Mizon - Collagen Power Lifting Toner | Wardah - White Secret Pure Treatment Essence | Naturium - Niacinamide Essence 3% | Formula 10.0.6 - Pure Tone Vitamin B Refining Light Gel Toner | Paula's choice - Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner | BANOBAGI - Milk Thistle Repair Toner | Good Molecules - Niacinamide Brightening Toner | |
Price | ||||||||||||
WIMJ similarity score |
76%
|
85%
|
85%
|
80%
|
76%
|
76%
|
76%
|
76%
|
75%
|
75%
|
75%
| |
Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common: Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
|
Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
|
Potential Irritants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All ingredients |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
2.2% -
3.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Moisturizing,
Evens skin tone,
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
urea
0.5% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Exfoliation
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
Show more
Potential irritants
rosa damascena extract
1.5% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
chondrus crispus extract
1.9% -
2.8%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
All ingredients
glycerin
4.1% -
6.1%
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
dipropylene glycol
3.7% -
5.6%
Irritation risk:
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Trehalose, Niacinamide, Chondrus crispus extract, Rosa damascena extract, Cyclodextrin, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium pca, Urea, Polyquaternium-51, Triacetin, Cocos nucifera water, Coceth-7, Ppg-1-peg-9 lauryl glycol ether, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Disodium edta, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Cyclodextrins: new drug delivery systems in dermatology
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging