Mario Badescu A.H.A. & Ceramide Moisturizer
Works for
MoisturizingParaffinum liquidum, Ceramide np + 15 moreWorks well
“Lightweight, non-greasy, fast-absorbing moisturizer that delivers essential hydration and boosts natural radiance giving skin a healthy look and glow.”
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: ceramide np, paraffinum liquidum
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“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: Citrus limon fruit extract, Diazolidinyl urea + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale5 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~7.3–8.9%
- 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~4.2–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinPropylene glycol~3.1–3.7%
- 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 glycolSqualane~2.4–3%
- 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~2–2.4%
- 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 myristateAloe barbadensis leaf extract~1.5–1.8%
- 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 extractDimethicone~1.2–1.5%
- 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 DimethiconeStearic acid~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMyristyl lactate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Cetearyl alcohol~0.65–0.95%
- 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 alcoholCetyl alcohol~0.55–0.85%
- 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 alcoholCitrus limon fruit extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractCeteareth-20~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer~0.35–0.65%
- 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 copolymerTriethanolamine~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineMyristyl alcohol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to stabilize the product formulation while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be irritating
More about Myristyl alcoholParaffinum liquidum~0.3–0.6%
- 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 liquidumMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Diazolidinyl urea~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaCymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.4%
Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPotassium sorbate~0.2–0.35%
Ci 19140~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCi 16035~0.1–0.2%
Dimethiconol~0.15–0.25%
- 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 DimethiconolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCeramide np~0.1–0.2%
- 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 npIngredient list view
Water, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Squalane, Glyceryl stearate, Isopropyl myristate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Dimethicone, Stearic acid, Myristyl lactate, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Citrus limon fruit extract, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Triethanolamine, Myristyl alcohol, Paraffinum liquidum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl urea, Cymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract, Sodium benzoate, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Ci 19140, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 16035, Dimethiconol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ceramide np
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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 | the SKIN HOUSEWrinkle System Cream | 3LABPerfect Moisturizer | KikumasamuneSake Brewing Sake Skin Care Emulsion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 58% | 56% |
| Price | $20.00 | $21.30+$1.30 | $150.00+$130.00 | $21.07+$1.07 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Anhydroxylitol | Ceramide Ap |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Skinfood Gold Caviar CreamSkincare by Dr V Cera Pep Moisturiser
Product summary
"Mario Badescu - A. H. A. & Ceramide Moisturizer" has a good moisturizing formula. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (glycerin, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, aloe barbadensis leaf extract and caprylyl glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Paraffinum liquidum, isopropyl myristate, dimethicone, dimethiconol and phenyl trimethicone in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 45.68A$ 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 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.