e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Water Essence
Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Urea + 8 moreWorks well
“Hydrating Water Essence”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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: chondrus crispus extract, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, urea
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideWorks well
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideWorks well
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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium 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~40–60%
Glycerin~4.1–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinDipropylene glycol~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolTrehalose~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseNiacinamide~2.2–3.3%
- 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 NiacinamideChondrus crispus extract~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus extractCoffea arabica seed extract~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Coffea arabica seed extractCyclodextrin~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of sugar that is used to support delivery of active ingredients and can enhance their penetration into the skin without disrupting the skin's barrier
More about CyclodextrinSodium hyaluronate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium pca~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaUrea~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about UreaPolyquaternium-51~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps create a nice silky finish on the skin
More about Polyquaternium-51Triacetin~0.4–0.95%
Cocos nucifera water~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Cocos nucifera waterCoceth-7~0.2–0.75%
Ppg-1-peg-9 lauryl glycol ether~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Ppg-1-peg-9 lauryl glycol etherPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilDisodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Trehalose, Niacinamide, Chondrus crispus extract, Coffea arabica seed 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
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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.
| e.l.f. CosmeticsHydrating Water EssenceYOUR PRODUCT | LyniaFace Tonic "Anti-Aging" | Skincare by Dr VSuper Hydrating Toner | Comfort ZoneHydramemory Essence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 90% | 90% | 85% |
| Price | — | $13.01 | $28.00 | $33.51 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Lactic Acid | Glycine |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Charlotte Tilbury CHARLOTTE'S MAGIC HYDRATOR MISTGatineau Collagene Hydra Essence
Product summary
"e. L. F. Cosmetics - Hydrating Water Essence" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.20% - 3.30%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (urea 0.50% - 1.20%, trehalose 2.80% - 4.20%, sodium pca 0.80% - 1.25%, sodium hyaluronate 1.00% - 1.50% and glycerin 4.10% - 6.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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