Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Isododecane + 12 moreWorks well
“Powered by AAC Technology, which is comprised of three amino acids, it helps to maintain hydrated and resilient skin.”
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, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingCentella asiatica leaf extract, TocopherolMay help
“Ginger Root Extract: improves skin smoothness, promotes anti-wrinkle, and regulates an even complexion”
This product contains centella asiatica leaf extract. There is some human evidence that this ingredient helps reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and firmness, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best anti-aging ingredients.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Tocopherol, TaurineWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Centella asiatica leaf extract~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.
More about Centella asiatica leaf extractTocopherol~8–12.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolSodium hyaluronate~4.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePanthenol~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolWater~3–4.5%
Propanediol~2.3–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolIsododecane~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneGlycerin~1.6–2.5%
- 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 GlycerinDimethicone~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 DimethiconePolymethylsilsesquioxane~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePolysilicone-11~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Panthenol~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateTaurine~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Could be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, evening out the skin tone and neutralizing free radicals, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness
More about TaurineSodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerArginine~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineButylene glycol~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolTocopherol~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolHydroxyacetophenone~0.45–1.05%
Isohexadecane~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneCentella asiatica leaf extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.
More about Centella asiatica leaf extractAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/carboxyethyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.4–0.9%
Caprylyl glycol~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.35–0.8%
Coco-glucoside~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosidePolysorbate 80~0.35–0.8%
Decyl glucoside~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideHydroxyethylcellulose~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseCitric acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateGlycine~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateIngredient list view
Centella asiatica leaf extract, Tocopherol, Sodium hyaluronate, Panthenol, Water, Propanediol, Isododecane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Panthenol, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Taurine, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Arginine, Butylene glycol, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isohexadecane, Centella asiatica leaf extract, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/carboxyethyl acrylate crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Coco-glucoside, Polysorbate 80, Decyl glucoside, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Glycine, Sodium hyaluronate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| EltaMDSkin Recovery SerumYOUR PRODUCT | The INKEY List CA360° Acne Clearing Serum | BeautyLabBeautyLabreg; 4D Hyaluronic Acid + B5 Serum | BioveneHydration Support Face Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $72.00 | $18.00−$54.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Beta-Glucan | — |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 V2 Next GenSecret Beauty Club Hyaluronic Acid Soothing Serum
Product summary
"EltaMD - Skin Recovery Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing and Anti-inflammatory
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.30% - 1.90%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.05% - 0.15%, panthenol 1.30% - 1.90%, glycine 0.05% - 0.20%, glycerin 2.70% - 4.00% and arginine 0.45% - 1.05%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 59.50$ in the United States and for 111.18A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2Contact dermatitis due to Madecassolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 5Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.