Laboratoires de Biarritz Alga Cicosa Organic Reparative Hand Cream
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Moisturizing17 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Alga Cicosa Organic Reparative Hand 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:
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, cera alba.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: linoleic acid
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Sodium anisateMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.2–6.3%
- 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 GlycerinCoco-caprylate/caprate~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateButyrospermum parkii butter~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCocos nucifera oil~2.1–3.1%
- 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 oilPolyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearateBorago officinalis seed oil~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration
More about Borago officinalis seed oilCera alba~1.6–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about Cera albaMagnesium sulfate~1.1–1.6%
Propanediol~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGelidium sesquipedale extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Linoleic acid~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidSodium levulinate~0.35–0.8%
Glyceryl caprylate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateSodium anisate~0.3–0.75%
Oleic acid~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. At the same time, it can weaken the skin's barrier enhancing penetration of other ingredients and increasing the risk of skin dryness
More about Oleic acidTocopherol~0.15–0.6%
- 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 TocopherolBisabolol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololCitric 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 acidHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.1–0.5%
- 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 oilSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePalmitic acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.05–0.25%
- 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 juice powderStearic acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidLinolenic acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Linolenic acidIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cocos nucifera oil, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, Borago officinalis seed oil, Cera alba, Magnesium sulfate, Propanediol, Gelidium sesquipedale extract, Linoleic acid, Sodium levulinate, Glyceryl caprylate, Sodium anisate, Oleic acid, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Citric acid, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Palmitic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Stearic acid, Linolenic acid
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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.
| Laboratoires de BiarritzAlga Cicosa Organic Reparative Hand CreamYOUR PRODUCT | UltraceuticalsLIMITED EDITION SIZE Ultra Moisturiser Cream | Eye CareAqualiss Nutri-Moisturizing Cream Hands and Feet | PipetteDiaper Rash Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 53% | 52% | 50% |
| Price | $11.78 | $144.00+$132.22 | $11.53 | $10.99−$0.79 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Urea | Lactic Acid | Jojoba Esters |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Laboratoires de Biarritz - Alga Cicosa Organic Reparative Hand Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate 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). Linoleic acid, borago officinalis seed oil, linolenic acid, butyrospermum parkii butter and cera alba 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 helpful ingredient in this moisturizer is Linoleic Acid. It is one of the fatty acids naturally present in skin. It is part of the skin barrier. Preliminary research shows that it might be able to reduce clogged pores.
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 medium. 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 8.91£ in the United Kingdom.
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.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Magnesium Sulfate as Used in Cosmeticsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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