Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Moisturizing24 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Essential Aqua Cream”
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:
alanine, arginine.
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: ceramide np
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 5 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains lysine, serine, threonine. 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Rosa damascena flower water, Citrus limon fruit extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~5.7–6.9%
- 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 glycolDimethicone~4.4–5.3%
- 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 DimethiconeCetyl ethylhexanoate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateRosa damascena flower water~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to add a nice rose smell to the product. Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower waterGlycerin~1.9–2.3%
- 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 GlycerinCyclopentasiloxane~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~1.3–1.6%
Betaine~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineSerine~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about SerineVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractSaccharum officinarum extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractSodium pca~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaHydrolyzed silk~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed silkBehenyl alcohol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholSorbitol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolCitrus limon fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractPolyglyceryl-10 pentastearate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saxifraga sarmentosa extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Oryza sativa bran~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ginkgo biloba nut extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractHydrolyzed rice extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that is claimed to be helpful in moisturizing and lightening the skin, but evidence is missing
More about Hydrolyzed rice extractSoymilk~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium stearoyl lactylate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl lactylateCeramide np~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npGlycine~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycinePrunus persica leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might be helpful in supporting collagen and ellastin production but solid research is lacking. Could be irritating
More about Prunus persica leaf extractGlutamic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidHydrogenated lecithin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinGlycine soja seed extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.
More about Glycine soja seed extractAlanine~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking
More about AlanineArginine~0.2–0.35%
- 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 ArginineLysine~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about LysineThreonine~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about ThreonineLysolecithin~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin derivative. It helps oil and water mix together and can enhance penetration of other ingredients. It helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LysolecithinProline~0.15–0.25%
Water~0.05–0.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Rosa damascena flower water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Betaine, Serine, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Sodium pca, Hydrolyzed silk, Behenyl alcohol, Sorbitol, Citrus limon fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Unknown, Polyglyceryl-10 pentastearate, Saxifraga sarmentosa extract, Oryza sativa bran, Glycol, Ginkgo biloba nut extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Hydrolyzed rice extract, Soymilk, Unknown, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Ceramide np, Glycine, Prunus persica leaf extract, Glutamic acid, Hydrogenated lecithin, Glycine soja seed extract, Alanine, Arginine, Lysine, Threonine, Lysolecithin, Proline, Unknown, Water, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| ICHIEssential Aqua CreamYOUR PRODUCT | DERMAFIRMUltra Soothing Hydra Cream R4 | KLAVUURejuve Pearlsation Multi Pearl Peptide Cream | BLANC DIVARebirth Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 64% | 64% |
| Price | $72.00 | $29.50−$42.50 | $29.10−$42.90 | $27.92−$44.08 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 14 | 10 of 14 | 10 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"ICHI - Essential Aqua Cream" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Alanine, arginine, betaine, glutamic acid and glycerin in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Ceramide np, arginine, dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane and glycine soja seed extract in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (ceramide np 0.25% - 0.45%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 72.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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