Is Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream an essential for dry skin?
If you know me, you know I hesitate to call anything an essential. But if it works, it may as well become an essential for you.
Does it work?
What’s In Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream?
GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN
Let’s start with the basics. Glycerin is in pretty much ALL skincare products for a reason.
It’s a wonderful humectant: that’s a fancy way of saying it draws moisture from the air and locks it into your skin. Once there, this extra moisture softens, plumps, and brightens your skin.
That’s the base you want to build the rest of your skincare routine on.
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycerin In Skincare
JOJOBA OIL TO MOISTURISE SKIN, TOO
Out of all the oils, jojoba resembles human sebum the most. What does it mean?
Well, jojoba oil is a magician that tricks the skin into thinking it has already pumped out all the oil it needs, stopping excess production in its tracks. If you have oily skin and what to go down the natural route, jojoba oil is your new BFF.
It’s very moisturizing, too. It forms a barrier on the skin that prevents moisture loss, keeping your skin hydrated for hours.
Related: 6 Ways To Use Jojoba Oil In Your Beauty Routine
Need help creating the best skincare routine for you dry skin? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Dry Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
DIMETHICONE TO MINIMISE FINE LINES
Dimethicone is a heavy silicone. No, it doesn’t suffocate skin or clog pores.
What it does is make wrinkles look smaller. Dimethicone fills every nook and cranny in your skin, a trick that blurs out pores and makes fine lines look less obvious – for a while. As soon as you wash it off, they’re still there.
While it’s at it, Dimethicone also gives slip to a product and makes the texture silky smooth.
Related: Are Silicones Bad For Skin?
Texture
It feels quite thick when it’s coming out of the tube but smoothes out nicely and sinks in quickly when you apply it.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
In the morning, in between serum and sunscreen. At night, it’s the last step of your skincare routine.
Performance & Personal Opinion
My skin tends to get drier in the fall and winter months, but Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream is doing a very good job at keeping everything healthy and moisturised at any time of the year.
Immediately after application my skin feels softer and my fine lines look smaller. These effects last well into the evening.
Did I mention it makes a good base for makeup, too?
At the moment, I’m using it only in the morning, but you can totally use it both AM and PM and save money that way.
Who Is This For?
Dry skin.
Who Is This NOT For?
Oily skin may find it too rich.
Packaging
A white bottle. It’s sleek and keeps all the goodies inside safe and effective. Plus, it’s practical, too.
Does Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Nourishes, protects and repairs sensitive, dry and delicate skins. | True. |
| Contains ingredients designed to reduce redness and rebuild broken capillaries. | True, but pay attention to the wording. It says the ingredients are designed to do this, NOT the cream does this. |
| High in essential fatty acids and essential oils to soothe and heal the skin. | True. |
| Protects elastin and collagen fibres whilst promoting healthy collagen production. | No. |
Price & Availability
£35.00 at Asos, Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, and Sephora
Do You Need It?
If you have dry skin, this is a good option to consider.
[penci_review]
Dupes & Alternatives
- Arcona Four O’Clock Flower Hydrator ($68.00)
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrolysed Corallina Officinalis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng (Asian Ginseng) Root Extract, Isomerized Linoleic Acid, Aluminium/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil (Triticum Aestivum (Wheat) Germ Oil), Pelargonium Graveolens (Sweet Scented Geranium) Oil, Triolein, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitic Acid, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Arnica Montana (Arnica) Flower Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Root Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens (Italian Cypress) Seed Extract, Propyl Gallate, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool.
