Holika Holika Prime Youth 24K Gold Repair Emulsion

Judging from the ingredient list, "Holika Holika - Prime Youth 24K Gold Repair Emulsion" works well for improving skin hydration The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (acetyl hexapeptide-8, hexapeptide-9, betaine, fructooligosaccharides and glycerin) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide np, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, tripeptide-1 and dimethicone) 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

• We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (1.80% - 2.20%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. 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 help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
• As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide np 0.20% - 0.35%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
• We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.30%, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.30%, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.15% - 0.25%, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 0.10% - 0.15%, nonapeptide-1 0.10% - 0.20%, hexapeptide-9 0.10% - 0.25%, copper tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.25% and acetyl hexapeptide-8 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 aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, 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.
• Adenosine 0.15% - 0.25%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).

Irritation risk

There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. 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 28.67$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.