KORA Organics Algae Lightweight Moisturizer
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingLactobacillus ferment, Anhydroxylitol + 13 moreGood evidence
“Algae Lightweight Moisturizer”
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:
anhydroxylitol, 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: helianthus annuus seed oil, cocos nucifera fruit extract.
Anti-agingAloe barbadensis leaf juice, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreWeak evidence
“Formulated with ultra-hydrating, mineral-rich Swiss glacier water, the Kora Organics Active Algae Lightweight Moisturizer Refill is enriched with green algae that works to transform ageing skin, helping to leave it with a firmer, more radiant appearance with fine lines appearing reduced.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Ocimum basilicum oil + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceGlycerin~4.6–7%
- 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 GlycerinHelianthus annuus seed oil~5.2–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilIsoamyl laurate~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl laurateWater~2.8–4.2%
Triheptanoin~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriheptanoinGlyceryl stearate citrate~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateChlamydomonas reinhardtii extract~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coco-caprylate/caprate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/capratePolyglyceryl-3 stearate~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 stearateLactobacillus ferment~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
More about Lactobacillus fermentHydrogenated lecithin~0.5–1.15%
- 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 lecithinXylityl sesquicaprylate~0.45–1%
Lysolecithin~0.4–0.95%
- 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 LysolecithinSclerotium gum~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumDilinoleic acid/butanediol copolymer~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chlorophyllin-copper complex~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lactobacillus~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-living ingredient made by fermentation with the bacteria Lactobacillus. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help reduce inflammation
More about LactobacillusXanthan gum~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPullulan~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Citric acid~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAnhydroxylitol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function
More about AnhydroxylitolLecithin~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinTocopherol~0.2–0.75%
- 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 TocopherolMorinda citrifolia fruit extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cocos nucifera fruit extract~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera fruit extractPelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractRhododendron ferrugineum extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Silica~0.35–0.85%
Castor oil/ipdi copolymer~0.3–0.75%
Ocimum basilicum oil~0.15–0.6%
Rosa damascena extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
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.
More about Rosa damascena extractRosa damascena flower oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower oilAlcohol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholCitronellol~0.1–0.45%
Geraniol~0.1–0.4%
Ingredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Isoamyl laurate, Water, Triheptanoin, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii extract, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 stearate, Lactobacillus ferment, Hydrogenated lecithin, Xylityl sesquicaprylate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium gum, Dilinoleic acid/butanediol copolymer, Chlorophyllin-copper complex, Lactobacillus, Xanthan gum, Pullulan, Potassium sorbate, Citric acid, Anhydroxylitol, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Morinda citrifolia fruit extract, Cocos nucifera fruit extract, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Rhododendron ferrugineum extract, Silica, Castor oil/ipdi copolymer, Ocimum basilicum oil, Rosa damascena extract, Rosa damascena flower oil, Alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol
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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.
| KORA OrganicsAlgae Lightweight MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | Keys SoulcareFirm Belief Smoothing Peptide Cream | Augustinus BaderThe Rich Cream | HaaCeramide Ectoin Moisturizing Emulsion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 54% | 54% | 53% |
| Price | $46.00 | $20.72−$25.28 | $99.67+$53.67 | $23.62−$22.38 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8 | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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