Mario Badescu A.H.A. & Ceramide Moisturizer
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing19 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“& Ceramide 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:
glycerin, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer.
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: dimethicone, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimNo support
“This moisturiser is formulated with Lemon Extract and soothing Aloe Vera, which helps reduce sun spots and skin pigmentation.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Cymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract, Citrus limon fruit extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Propylene glycol~5.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolGlycerin~3.9–4.7%
- 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 GlycerinCyclopentasiloxane~3–3.7%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneSqualane~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneGlyceryl stearate~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateIsopropyl myristate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateDimethicone~1.5–1.8%
- 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 DimethiconeAloe barbadensis leaf extract~1.2–1.5%
- 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 extractParaffinum liquidum~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.65–1%
- 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 juiceCymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus limon fruit extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractGlycolipids~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Stearic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMyristyl lactate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Cetearyl alcohol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholDimethiconol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolEthylhexyl cocoate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl cocoateCetyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholCeteareth-20~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Myristyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to stabilize the product formulation while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be irritating
More about Myristyl alcoholGlyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
More about Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymerCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLecithin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPhenyl trimethicone~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconePhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium chloride~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideTriethanolamine~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineMethylparaben~0.1–0.15%
Propylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Diazolidinyl urea~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaCi 19140~0.05–0.1%
Ci 15985~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Squalane, Glyceryl stearate, Isopropyl myristate, Dimethicone, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Paraffinum liquidum, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Cymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Glycolipids, Stearic acid, Myristyl lactate, Cetearyl alcohol, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexyl cocoate, Cetyl alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Myristyl alcohol, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Lecithin, Phenyl trimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium chloride, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl urea, Ci 19140, Ci 15985
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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.
| Mario BadescuA.H.A. & Ceramide MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | CetaphilRich Night Cream | the SKIN HOUSEWrinkle Collagen Cream | IllamasquaSkin Base Mixer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 57% | 56% |
| Price | $20.00 | $10.56−$9.44 | $14.90−$5.10 | $19.50−$0.50 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | — | Adenosine | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Mario Badescu - A. H. A. & Ceramide Moisturizer" has a good moisturizing formula. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (glycerin, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, aloe barbadensis leaf extract and caprylyl glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Paraffinum liquidum, isopropyl myristate, dimethicone, dimethiconol and phenyl trimethicone in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 45.68A$ in Australia, for 20.00$ in the United States, for 17.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 260.00HK$ in Hong Kong.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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