ahava Extreme Day Cream

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Aqua
2. Glycerin
3. Ethylhexyl Palmitate
4. Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
5. Squalene Phytosqualene
6. Dimethicone
7. Dimethicone Crosspolymer
8. Cetearyl Olivate
9. Stearyl Alcohol
10. Sorbitan Olivate
11. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
12. Erythritol
13. Steareth-25
14. Ceteth-20
15. Cetyl Palmitate
16. Glyceryl Stearate
17. Homarine Hcl
18. Teprenone
19. Butylene Glycol
20. Cetyl Alcohol
21. Panthenol
22. Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates
23. Phenoxyethanol
24. Sorbitan Palmitate
25. Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
26. Maris Sal
27. Sodium Hyaluronate
28. Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
29. Polysorbate 20
30. Carbomer
31. Tocopherol Vitamin E)
32. Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3
33. Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
34. Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
35. Cetraria Islandica Extract
36. Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract
37. Ethylhexylglycerin
38. Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract
39. Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
40. Rubus Ellipticus Root Extract
41. Boron Nitride
42. Allantoin
43. Parfum
44. Dunaliella Salina Extract
45. Phoenix Dactylifera Fruit Extract
46. Propylene Glycol
47. Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
48. Folic Acid
49. Geraniol
50. Citronellol
51. Coumarin
52. Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
53. Limonene
54. Linalool
55. Butylphenyl Methylpropional
56. Eugenol
57. Citral
58. Benzyl Alcohol
59. Benzyl Benzoate
60. Isoeugenol

Highlights

Free of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains essential oilsContains siliconesContains parabensContains animal-derivedContains PEGContains fragranceContains EU-26 allergensContains alcohol

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Ethylhexyl PalmitateVitis Vinifera Seed OilCetearyl OlivateStearyl Alcohol

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

EMULSION STABILISING

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Other ingredients

Squalene PhytosqualeneSorbitan OlivateCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideErythritolSteareth-25Ceteth-20Cetyl PalmitateGlyceryl StearateHomarine HclTeprenoneButylene GlycolCetyl AlcoholPanthenolDisodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl PhosphatesPhenoxyethanolSorbitan PalmitateCeratonia Siliqua GumMaris SalSodium HyaluronatePalmitoyl OligopeptidePolysorbate 20CarbomerTocopherol Vitamin E)Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem ExtractOlea Europaea Fruit OilCetraria Islandica ExtractPichia/Resveratrol Ferment ExtractEthylhexylglycerinRosa Centifolia Flower ExtractLycium Barbarum Fruit ExtractRubus Ellipticus Root ExtractBoron NitrideAllantoinParfumDunaliella Salina ExtractPhoenix Dactylifera Fruit ExtractPropylene GlycolPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateFolic AcidGeraniolCitronellolCoumarinAlpha-Isomethyl IononeLimoneneLinaloolButylphenyl MethylpropionalEugenolCitralBenzyl AlcoholBenzyl BenzoateIsoeugenol

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Synthetic ester emollient with light skin feel; small molecule, slightly comedogenic, use cautiously for acne-prone skin, often blended with other oils.

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Grapeseed oil, lightweight emollient and antioxidant; high linoleic acid, suitable for oily and combination skin.

Squalene Phytosqualene

Not decoded yet

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Crosslinked silicone polymer providing silkiness and viscosity control; for hair and skin; inert but hard to biodegrade.

Cetearyl Olivate

Natural emulsifier pairing with glucosides; skin-like feel, biodegradable, prone to oxidation requiring light protection

Stearyl Alcohol

Stearic alcohol; fatty alcohol for emulsion thickening/structure, often blended with soaps, moderate comedogenicity.

Sorbitan Olivate

O/W emulsifier, HLB ~15, requires ionic co-surfactant, potential sensitizer.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Light occlusive and solvent at 1–10%; non-greasy feel, suitable for oily and combination skin

Erythritol

Polyol humectant with light feel; high hygroscopy, watch in dry climates.

Steareth-25

Not decoded yet

Ceteth-20

Not decoded yet

Cetyl Palmitate

Waxy ester increasing viscosity and providing heavy feel; used as emulsifier carrier, low comedogenicity, strong occlusion.

Glyceryl Stearate

Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification

Homarine Hcl

Not decoded yet

Teprenone

Biosynthetic flavonoid for soothing/barrier; low concentrations; stability with acidic systems

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl alcohol for emulsification/thickening; high concentration >10% may irritate.

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates

Gentle two-phase/ionic cleanser & conditioner, vitamin E phosphate; mild but needs compatibility testing

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Sorbitan Palmitate

Non-ionic emulsifier, typically used in W/O or blending systems. Low toxicity, non-comedogenic.

Ceratonia Siliqua Gum

Locust bean gum thickener/emulsifier; viscous at high levels, check batch consistency.

Maris Sal

Natural mineral skin conditioner for exfoliation or soothing; high concentrations (>5%) may cause dryness due to osmotic pressure.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide

Palmitoyl oligopeptide for firming; water-soluble bioactive peptide, avoid high heat, functional additive.

Polysorbate 20

Non-ionic emulsifier and cleansing surfactant; contains PEG, control microbial load.

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Tocopherol Vitamin E)

Not decoded yet

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3

Not decoded yet

Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

St. John's Wort extract. Highly photosensitizing due to hypericins. Strictly for night use or opaque packaging; avoid sun exposure.

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Olive oil, rich in squalene and oleic acid; moderate comedogenicity, caution for oily skin.

Cetraria Islandica Extract

Not decoded yet

Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract

Pichia and resveratrol ferment extract for antioxidant and brightening effects; fermentation enhances stability of active ingredients.

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract

Rosa centifolia flower extract, astringent and conditioning; limit concentration, cautious for sensitive skin

Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract

Lycium barbarum extract; astringent and conditioner. Use at 1-2%; contains polysaccharides and antioxidants.

Rubus Ellipticus Root Extract

Not decoded yet

Boron Nitride

Flake-shaped inorganic filler for slip and bulk in powders; control particle size to minimize inhalation risk

Allantoin

Skin soother at 0.5-2%; promotes cell regeneration

Parfum

Fragrance for scent; may contain allergens, caution for sensitive skin, full labeling required.

Dunaliella Salina Extract

Microalgal extract used as a skin conditioning agent for soothing and barrier support; no public irritancy or comedogenic data.

Phoenix Dactylifera Fruit Extract

Date fruit extract, emollient/conditioning; high sugar hygroscopy, strong preservative, batch variation

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

High-efficiency lipid-soluble antioxidant preventing oil rancidity; very low usage, typically 0.05-0.1%, ensure even distribution, avoid metal-catalyzed oxidation.

Folic Acid

Folic acid, Vitamin B9, used for skin conditioning to support cellular metabolism

Geraniol

Geraniol for fragrance; EU 26 allergen, labeling required above 0.001%.

Citronellol

Citronellol for fragrance; EU 26 allergen, labeling required above 0.001%.

Coumarin

Classic fragrance and photosensitizer, EU restriction III/77; high allergen risk, limit in facial products

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Vanilla-like fragrance ingredient; one of EU 26 allergens, caution advised for sensitive skin.

Limonene

Natural fragrance solvent, EU allergen; poor photostability

Linalool

Natural fragrance component at ≤0.05%; one of EU 26 allergens, caution for sensitive skin

Butylphenyl Methylpropional

Synthetic fragrance with floral notes; EU regulations limit usage, strict monitoring required.

Eugenol

Potent natural fragrance, EU restriction III/71; listed allergen, max 5%, caution for sensitive skin

Citral

Citral; citrus fragrance component, listed EU allergen, high phototoxicity risk, strict concentration limits apply.

Benzyl Alcohol

Mild preservative/solvent at 0.5-1.0%; EU allergen (labeling required), irritation risk if concentrated, avoid in infant/highly sensitive skin.

Benzyl Benzoate

Chelating agent for stability; restricted substance, not permitted as single component or in mixtures at ≥0.1%.

Isoeugenol

Isoeugenol flavor/perfume, EU limit III/73; moderate allergen, total concentration <0.01%

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