Below is every ingredient in Ahava Essential Day Moisturizer For Combination Skin 50Ml explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Maris Aqua (Dead Sea Water) is water sourced from the Dead Sea, naturally concentrated with minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and bromide. It is used in skincare to hydrate, support the skin barrier, and may help soothe inflammatory conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Bisabolol is a naturally derived (typically from chamomile) or synthetic terpene alcohol used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and skin-conditioning properties. It is also reported to enhance penetration of other ingredients and offers mild antimicrobial activity.
Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mild skin irritation | Rare | Occasional transient redness or discomfort, typically in sensitive skin. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Isolated case-type sensitization reports; generally considered low risk. |
| Comedogenicity (pore clogging) | Uncommon | May contribute to breakouts in acne-prone individuals depending on formulation. |
| Contact dermatitis/allergic reaction | Very rare | Silicones are considered low-allergenic; reactions are unusual and often linked to other formula components. |
| Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can cause transient stinging if product migrates into the eyes. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
| Mild transient irritation or stinging | Rare | Generally well tolerated; occasional sensitivity reported, often related to overall formulation. |
| Skin irritation | Rare | Mild irritation or redness possible, generally in sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Cross-reactivity with other fatty alcohols | Rare | Individuals sensitized to cetyl or stearyl alcohol may react to the blend. |
| Mild stinging or burning on application | Uncommon | Transient sensation, more likely on broken or sensitive skin. |
| Skin redness or irritation | Rare | Generally mild and self-limiting; may relate to preservatives or anthraquinone content in poorly processed extracts. |
| Delayed wound healing | Very rare | Reported in isolated cases when applied to surgical or deep wounds. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Isodecyl Neopentanoate Emollient/skin-conditioning agent | Isodecyl Neopentanoate is a lightweight ester emollient used to soften skin and improve spreadability and texture in cosmetic formulations. It imparts a dry, silky feel and serves as a base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Cyclomethicone Emollient/silicone solvent | Cyclomethicone is a volatile cyclic silicone used in skincare and cosmetics to impart a smooth, silky feel and aid spreadability before evaporating without residue. It functions as a carrier and emollient rather than an active treatment ingredient. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Saccharide Isomerate Humectant / moisturizer | Saccharide Isomerate is a plant-derived carbohydrate complex that binds to the skin's keratin to provide long-lasting hydration and improve moisture retention. It is structurally similar to carbohydrates naturally found in the skin's upper layers. |
| Cetearyl Alcohol Emollient/emulsifier | Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol blend (cetyl and stearyl alcohol) used in skincare as an emollient, emulsion stabilizer, and thickening agent. It helps soften skin and keep oil and water phases blended in creams and lotions. |
| Trehalose Humectant / moisturizer | Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide used in skincare as a humectant and protective agent, helping retain moisture and stabilize cell membranes and proteins against dehydration and oxidative stress. It is well tolerated and commonly used to support skin barrier hydration. |
| Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Soothing/humectant | Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its hydrating, soothing, and emollient properties, often included to calm irritation and improve skin moisture. It functions primarily as a base/conditioning agent rather than a targeted treatment active. |
| Maris Aqua (Dead Sea Water) Key active Mineral-rich humectant / skin-conditioning agent | Maris Aqua (Dead Sea Water) is water sourced from the Dead Sea, naturally concentrated with minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and bromide. It is used in skincare to hydrate, support the skin barrier, and may help soothe inflammatory conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. |
| Bisabolol Key active Soothing/anti-inflammatory agent | Bisabolol is a naturally derived (typically from chamomile) or synthetic terpene alcohol used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and skin-conditioning properties. It is also reported to enhance penetration of other ingredients and offers mild antimicrobial activity. |
| Allantoin Key active Soothing/skin-conditioning agent | Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products. |
| Caprylyl Methicone Emollient / spreading agent | Caprylyl Methicone is a volatile silicone fluid used in cosmetic formulations to provide a light, non-greasy, smooth skin feel and to enhance the spreadability of products. It also acts as a solvent and carrier for other ingredients, particularly in sunscreens and color cosmetics. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Cetearyl Glucoside Emulsifier | Cetearyl Glucoside is a plant-derived (glucose and fatty alcohol) nonionic emulsifier used to blend oil and water phases and stabilize creams and lotions. It is valued for being mild and well-tolerated in cosmetic formulations. |
| Sorbitan Isostearate Emulsifier / surfactant | Sorbitan isostearate is a sorbitan ester of isostearic acid used as a nonionic emulsifier and stabilizer in oil-in-water and water-in-oil cosmetic formulations. It helps blend oil and water phases and improves texture and spreadability. |
| Polyacrylate-13 Rheology modifier / thickener | Polyacrylate-13 is a synthetic acrylate copolymer used as a thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in cosmetic formulations. It helps create stable gels and emulsions and improves product texture without contributing to active treatment effects. |
| Cyclopentasiloxane Emollient/silicone | Cyclopentasiloxane is a volatile cyclic silicone widely used in skincare and cosmetics to impart a smooth, silky feel and spreadability before evaporating, leaving no greasy residue. It also serves as a carrier and helps reduce tackiness in formulations. |
| Caprylyl Glycol Humectant / skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster | Caprylyl glycol is a multifunctional emollient and humectant derived from caprylic acid that helps hydrate skin and enhance the efficacy of preservatives in formulations. It is widely used as a stabilizing and conditioning base ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Peg-12 Dimethicone/Ppg-20 Crosspolymer Silicone emulsifier/conditioning agent | PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer is a silicone-based crosspolymer used in cosmetic formulations primarily as an emulsifier, emollient, and skin-conditioning agent. It helps stabilize emulsions and impart a smooth, silky feel to products. |
| Dimethiconol Emollient/silicone conditioning agent | Dimethiconol is a silicone-based polymer used in skincare and haircare to provide smoothing, conditioning, and a soft, non-greasy emollient feel. It forms a thin, breathable film that reduces moisture loss and improves spreadability of formulations. |
| Chlorphenesin Preservative / antimicrobial | Chlorphenesin is a synthetic antimicrobial agent used in cosmetics and skincare as a preservative to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. It is also occasionally used for its mild muscle-relaxant and antifungal properties in topical formulations. |
| Polyisobutene Emollient/film-former | Polyisobutene is a synthetic hydrocarbon polymer used in cosmetics as an emollient, thickener, and film-forming agent that imparts smooth texture, adhesion, and improved spreadability. It is commonly found in long-wear makeup, lip products, and sunscreens to enhance water resistance and product longevity. |
| Citric Acid pH adjuster / AHA exfoliant | Citric acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from citrus fruits, used primarily to adjust and buffer formulation pH and as a chelating agent, and at higher concentrations as a mild chemical exfoliant. It can promote surface cell turnover and is sometimes included in antioxidant or brightening products. |
| Sodium Citrate pH adjuster / chelating agent | Sodium citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid used in skincare primarily as a buffering agent to stabilize formulation pH and as a chelator that binds metal ions to improve product stability. It is a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Potassium Sorbate Preservative | Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, used as a mild preservative to inhibit mold, yeast, and some bacterial growth in cosmetic formulations. It is most effective at acidic pH and is often combined with other preservatives for broad-spectrum protection. |
| Sodium Benzoate Preservative | Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid used as a preservative in cosmetic and skincare formulations to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, particularly in acidic products. It is most effective at a pH below 5. |
| Parfum (Fragrance) Fragrance/masking agent | Parfum (Fragrance) is a blend of aromatic compounds added to mask base odors and impart a pleasant scent to cosmetic products. It provides no skin-treatment benefit and is included for sensory and marketing purposes. |
| Farnesol Fragrance ingredient / antimicrobial | Farnesol is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol used in cosmetics primarily as a fragrance component and deodorant agent, and it also exhibits mild antibacterial properties. It is found in essential oils such as rose, neroli, and citronella. |
| Benzyl Salicylate Fragrance/UV-absorber | Benzyl salicylate is an aromatic ester used primarily as a fragrance ingredient and, to a lesser extent, as a UV-light absorber in cosmetic formulations. It imparts a faint floral, balsamic scent and helps stabilize fragrance compositions. |
| Limonene Fragrance/solvent | Limonene is a naturally occurring monoterpene derived from citrus peel oils, commonly used as a fragrance component and solvent in cosmetic formulations. On exposure to air it oxidizes, forming compounds with greater sensitizing potential. |
| Hexyl Cinnamal Fragrance ingredient | Hexyl Cinnamal is a synthetic aromatic compound used as a fragrance and masking agent in cosmetic and skincare formulations, valued for its mild floral, jasmine-like scent. It is one of the 26 fragrance allergens required to be labeled in the EU. |
| Polysorbate 20 Emulsifier / solubilizer | Polysorbate 20 is a nonionic surfactant derived from sorbitol and lauric acid, used in skincare to solubilize fragrances and essential oils and to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. It functions primarily as a formulation aid rather than a treatment active. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.