e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Nourishing Night Cream

A nourishing, daily facial cream formulated with soothing Aloe, hydrating Sodium Hyaluronate, and a complex of Natural Fruit Acids to brighten the complexion while locking in moisture with Shea Butter.

Performance Rating: 4.3

This formula presents a robust blend of hydration and moisture retention agents. It combines effective humectants like Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, and Sodium Hyaluronate to draw water into the skin, with solid emollients such as Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, and Dimethicone to lock it in and smooth the skin texture. The inclusion of Aloe and Cucumber offers soothing benefits, while a blend of fruit extracts (Sugar Cane, Bilberry, Citrus, Sugar Maple) provides natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) for mild surface renewal and brightening. It is well-balanced for normal to dry skin types.

Safety Rating: 4.0

The ingredients are generally considered safe for cosmetic use. However, Ethylhexyl Palmitate is rated relatively high on the comedogenic scale, meaning it may clog pores for those prone to acne. The formula uses Triethanolamine as a pH adjuster, which can occasionally cause irritation in very sensitive skin or eyes, though it is standard in many products. It utilizes Phenoxyethanol and Caprylyl Glycol as a preservation system, avoiding parabens. The citrus extracts are generally safe but could theoretically cause minor sensitivity in highly reactive skin types.

Final Rating: 4.2

This is a solid, well-formulated daily moisturizer. It excels in providing dual-action hydration (water + oil) without relying solely on heavy waxes. The addition of antioxidants (Vitamin E) and soothing botanicals elevates it above basic moisturizers. While it is an excellent choice for dry, normal, or combination skin, those with oily or acne-prone skin should be cautious due to the potential comedogenicity of Ethylhexyl Palmitate.

Verdict

This facial moisturizer offers a well-rounded formula that aims to bridge the gap between heavy barrier repair creams and lightweight gel hydrators. At the heart of the formulation is a solid emollient blend featuring Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil. These ingredients are gold standards for dry skin, as they mimic the skin’s natural lipid structure to prevent transepidermal water loss without feeling excessively greasy. When combined with Dimethicone and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, the texture is likely to be silky, providing a smooth ‘slip’ that works excellently under makeup or as a final step in a night routine.

From a hydration standpoint, the inclusion of Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate ensures that water is drawn into the epidermis, keeping the skin plump. The formula is further boosted by Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water and Cucumber Extract, both of which are classic soothing agents known to reduce redness and inflammation. This suggests the product is designed to calm the skin while it hydrates, making it a comforting option for those exposed to environmental stressors.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this ingredient list is the inclusion of a specific botanical blend: Sugar Cane, Sugar Maple, Orange, Lemon, and Bilberry extracts. These are widely recognized natural sources of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). While they are likely not potent enough to replace a dedicated chemical peel, their presence implies a gentle, daily micro-exfoliation action that can help refine texture and improve radiance over time. This turns a standard moisturizer into a multi-functional product that addresses dullness.

However, the formula is not without potential drawbacks for specific skin types. It contains Ethylhexyl Palmitate, an ingredient often cited for being potentially comedogenic, which might pose a risk for those prone to severe clogging or acne. Furthermore, the use of Triethanolamine as a pH adjuster, although standard, can be sensitizing for highly reactive skin. Overall, this is a robust moisturizer best suited for normal to dry skin types seeking a ‘glowy’ finish, but those with oily, acne-prone skin should approach with a patch test.

Who Is This Product For?

Who Should Avoid This Product?

Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 Water (Aqua) / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The base of the formulation.

📁 Humectants (Hydration) / 保湿剂(补水)

🧪 Butylene Glycol / 丁二醇

Purpose: Humectant, Solvent

Concerns: Very low risk of irritation.

Notes: Helps ingredients penetrate the skin and hydrates.

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: A gold-standard moisturizing ingredient found naturally in skin.

🧪 Sodium Hyaluronate / 透明质酸钠

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Salt form of hyaluronic acid; holds massive amounts of water.

🧪 Caprylyl Glycol / 辛甘醇

Purpose: Humectant, Preservative booster

Concerns: None

Notes: Improves skin feel and boosts antimicrobial activity.

📁 Emollients & Occlusives / 润肤剂与封闭剂

🧪 Dimethicone / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Emollient, Occlusive

Concerns: Silicone based; some people avoid silicones, though generally safe.

Notes: Provides a silky slip and forms a protective barrier.

🧪 Ethylhexyl Palmitate / 棕榈酸乙基己酯

Purpose: Emollient, Texture enhancer

Concerns: Potentially comedogenic for acne-prone skin.

Notes: Gives a dry-slip feel similar to silicones.

🧪 Hydrogenated Polyisobutene / 氢化聚异丁烯

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Synthetic oil used as a mineral oil substitute; prevents moisture loss.

🧪 Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter / 牛油果树果脂

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: Heavy texture can be too rich for oily skin.

Notes: Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids.

🧪 Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil / 霍霍巴籽油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Technically a wax ester; mimics human sebum closely.

🧪 Stearic Acid / 硬脂酸

Purpose: Emollient, Emulsifier

Concerns: Can be comedogenic in high concentrations.

Notes: Fatty acid used to thicken and stabilize creams.

🧪 Dimethiconol / 聚二甲基硅氧烷醇

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: A silicone gum that fills in fine lines.

📁 Emulsifiers & Texture Enhancers / 乳化剂与质地调节剂

🧪 Cetearyl Olivate / 鲸蜡硬脂醇橄榄油酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Derived from olive oil; helps mix oil and water.

🧪 Sorbitan Olivate / 山梨坦橄榄油酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Often paired with Cetearyl Olivate for a biomimetic emulsifying system.

🧪 Cetearyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡硬脂醇

Purpose: Emollient, Emulsion Stabilizer

Concerns: None

Notes: A fatty alcohol, not drying like ethanol.

🧪 Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer / 丙烯酸(酯)类/C10-30 烷醇丙烯酸酯交联聚合物

Purpose: Texture enhancer, Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps stabilize the emulsion and adjust viscosity.

🧪 Xanthan Gum / 黄原胶

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: Natural fermentation product.

📁 Botanical Extracts & Actives / 植物提取物与活性成分

🧪 Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve) / 生育酚乙酸酯 (维生素E)

Purpose: Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: Stable form of Vitamin E; protects skin from free radicals.

🧪 Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water / 库拉索芦荟叶水

Purpose: Soothing

Concerns: None

Notes: Calms irritated skin.

🧪 Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract / 黄瓜果提取物

Purpose: Soothing, Hydrating

Concerns: None

Notes: Refreshing and non-sensitizing.

🧪 Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract / 甘蔗提取物

Purpose: Exfoliant (AHA source)

Concerns: Sensitivity to AHAs.

Notes: Natural source of glycolic acid.

🧪 Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract / 欧洲越桔果/叶提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Exfoliant source

Concerns: None

Notes: Source of lactic acid.

🧪 Citrus Sinensis (Orange) Fruit Extract / 甜橙果提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Exfoliant source

Concerns: Potential sensitivity.

Notes: Source of citric acid.

🧪 Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract / 糖槭提取物

Purpose: Exfoliant (AHA source)

Concerns: None

Notes: Source of malic and tartaric acids.

🧪 Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract / 柠檬果提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Exfoliant source

Concerns: Potential photosensitivity if concentration is high.

Notes: Source of citric acid.

📁 Preservatives & pH Adjusters / 防腐剂与pH调节剂

🧪 Disodium EDTA / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelator

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps preserve the product by binding metal ions.

🧪 Sodium Dehydroacetate / 脱氢乙酸钠

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: None

Notes: Antifungal and antimicrobial agent.

🧪 Triethanolamine / 三乙醇胺

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Can be sensitizing; regulated concentrations.

Notes: Used to neutralize fatty acids or thickeners like Acrylates.

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Rarely irritating.

Notes: One of the most common cosmetic preservatives.