SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish and Restore Hydrator
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing24 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
“HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish and Restore Hydrator”
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 glucoside.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, linolenic acid.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: linoleic acid, urea
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate evidence
“Provides long-term results that reduce the appearance of lines and redness. *Packaging May Vary”
This product contains serine. This ingredient 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.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimNo evidence
“Why It Works HA⁵® Hydra Collagen Hydrator is our next level hydrator solution clinically proven to visibly improve hydration and support skin health, by addressing the skin's barrier and water-holding capacity.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredientsMedium 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.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.5–5.5%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~4.1–5.1%
- 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 triglycerideShorea stenoptera seed butter~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about Shorea stenoptera seed butterC9-12 alkane~2.3–2.8%
Propanediol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolLinoleic acid~1.6–2%
- 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 acrylates copolymer~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerPassiflora edulis seed oil~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A good emollient helping to soften the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Adds a fragrance to the product
More about Passiflora edulis seed oilSodium hyaluronate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerNelumbo nucifera germ extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Collagen~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products
More about CollagenButyl avocadate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Trehalose~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseSerine~0.35–0.6%
- 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 SerineVitis vinifera flower cell extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Linolenic acid~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Linolenic acidUrea~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.25–0.45%
Algin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AlginPolyglutamic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
More about Polyglutamic acidTocopherol~0.25–0.4%
- 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 TocopherolOleic acid~0.25–0.5%
- 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 acidPullulan~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanPalmitic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidGlyceryl glucoside~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer
More about Glyceryl glucosideCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateLecithin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Lecithin1,2-hexanediol~0.2–0.4%
Pentylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolStearic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidBenzoic acid~0.2–0.4%
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPolysorbate 20~0.2–0.4%
Dehydroacetic acid~0.1–0.25%
Glyceryl polyacrylate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to create a nice product texture and spread the product more easily on the skin
More about Glyceryl polyacrylatePotassium phosphate~0.15–0.25%
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholDisodium phosphate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphateSodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Shorea stenoptera seed butter, C9-12 alkane, Propanediol, Linoleic acid, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Passiflora edulis seed oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Nelumbo nucifera germ extract, Collagen, Butyl avocadate, Trehalose, Serine, Vitis vinifera flower cell extract, Linolenic acid, Urea, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Algin, Polyglutamic acid, Tocopherol, Oleic acid, Pullulan, Palmitic acid, Glyceryl glucoside, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Lecithin, 1,2-hexanediol, Pentylene glycol, Stearic acid, Benzoic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Polysorbate 20, Dehydroacetic acid, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Potassium phosphate, Benzyl alcohol, Disodium phosphate, Sodium benzoate
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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.
| SkinMedicaHA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish and Restore HydratorYOUR PRODUCT | Medik8Total daily | UltraceuticalsLIMITED EDITION SIZE Ultra Moisturiser Cream | DieuxInstant Angel Lipid-Rich Barrier Repair Cream with Ceramides | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 51% | 50% |
| Price | $192.00 | $49.00−$143.00 | $144.00−$48.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 16 | 6 of 16 | 6 of 16 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Np | Ceramide 3 | Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "SkinMedica - HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish and Restore Hydrator" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. SkinMedica - HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish and Restore Hydrator ticks this box. Urea, glycerin, glyceryl glucoside, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (linoleic acid, linolenic acid, passiflora edulis seed oil, shorea stenoptera seed butter and caprylic/capric triglyceride) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- Another helpful ingredient in this moisturizer is Linoleic Acid. It is one of the fatty acids naturally present in skin. It is part of the skin barrier. Preliminary research shows that it might be able to reduce clogged pores.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 192.00$ 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 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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