Elizabeth Arden's Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream Complex is a rich emollient moisturizing cream designed to penetrate deep into the skin, helping it to build an inner moisture reserve. This luxurious cream is particularly suited for dry skin, offering a rich and pampering feel. Clinical tests have demonstrated a significant reduction in the appearance of fine dryness lines and a dramatic improvement in skin's overall appearance within 14 to 21 days. It is formulated for normal to dry skin types and has been dermatologist and clinically tested.
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits
Core Moisturizing and Emollient Agents
At the heart of many skincare formulations, including Elizabeth Arden's, is Aqua/Water/Eau, commonly known as water. In cosmetics, this water is purified and deionized to remove mineral ions, ensuring a clean base. Another fundamental ingredient is Glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple. It is a versatile ingredient that works well in various formulations.
Cetearyl Alcohol, often found in skincare, is a fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient, making the skin feel smooth and soft. It also serves as a stabilizer for oil-in-water emulsions, providing body to the product. Unlike drying alcohols, fatty alcohols like Cetearyl Alcohol are non-irritating and non-drying.
Isopropanolamine, a simple emulsifier, aids in blending oil and water components within a formulation. Squalane is a highly regarded emollient, known for its ability to moisturize without a greasy feel. It's a saturated hydrocarbon that occurs naturally in the skin's sebum and is compatible with all skin types. Squalane provides emolliency, helps prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and enhances the skin's smoothness. Its stability and long shelf life make it a popular choice.
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil is another emollient plant oil rich in oleic acid, known for its moisturizing properties for dry skin. It also contains beneficial antioxidants like polyphenols and vitamin E. Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil is also a plant-based oil loaded with nourishing fatty acids, including oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids. It is rich in antioxidant polyphenols, tocopherols (vitamin E), and carotenoids, and is a good source of skin-identical emollient, Squalene.
Skin Conditioning and Protective Ingredients
Allantoin is a well-known soothing ingredient derived from the comfrey plant, or synthesized. It not only soothes but also softens, protects the skin, and promotes wound healing.
Panthenol, also known as pro-vitamin B5, is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin. It possesses anti-inflammatory and skin-protecting properties, and studies suggest it can reduce irritation caused by other ingredients. Panthenol is also beneficial for nail and hair care due to its hydrating effects.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter is a common ingredient that provides emolliency, thickens products, and helps blend water and oil. It is known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Ceramide NP is a skin-identical lipid that helps to restore the skin's natural barrier, improving hydration and protecting against environmental stressors.
Phytosphingosine is another lipid component that plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin's barrier function and providing antimicrobial benefits.
Age-Defying and Activating Ingredients
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a powerful ingredient known for its anti-aging properties. It works by increasing cell turnover and stimulating collagen production. However, its effectiveness can be influenced by its conversion rate within the skin.
Retinyl Palmitate is an ester form of vitamin A that is considered less potent than retinol. While it belongs to the retinoid family, its conversion to active retinoic acid in the skin is less efficient, leading to weaker anti-aging effects. Concerns have also been raised regarding its behavior in the presence of UV light.
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is a newer derivative of retinoic acid that is designed for better skin penetration and potentially reduced irritation compared to traditional retinoids.
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11 and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9 are peptides that can help support the skin's structure and promote a more youthful appearance by influencing collagen and elastin production.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that draws moisture into the skin, plumping it and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Formulation Enhancers and Stabilizers
Tromethamine is an alkaline agent used in small amounts to adjust and maintain the pH of cosmetic products, ensuring optimal stability and efficacy.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent that helps to improve the stability and performance of a formulation by binding to metal ions that can degrade the product.
Glyceryl Stearate and PEG-100 Stearate are emulsifiers that help to combine oil and water phases in a formulation, creating a stable and smooth texture.
Polyacrylamide and Laureth-7 are often used in combination as thickening agents and emollients, contributing to the product's texture and feel.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer is a polymer used as a thickener and emulsion stabilizer.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is an amino acid derived from coconut oil that acts as a preservative booster and skin conditioner.
Carbomer is a versatile thickening agent used to create gels and improve the texture of cosmetic products.
Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone-based ingredient that can provide a smooth feel and improve the texture of the product.
Dimethicone is a silicone that acts as an emollient and occlusive agent, helping to lock in moisture and provide a smooth feel on the skin.
Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent that can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin.
Fragrance and Preservatives
Parfum (Fragrance) is added to provide a pleasant scent. However, it can be a potential irritant for sensitive skin. The ingredients listed below are common fragrance components:
- Limonene: A common fragrance ingredient with a citrus scent, it can oxidize and become allergenic.
- Linalool: Found in many plants and fragrances, it can also oxidize and become allergenic.
- Geraniol: A common fragrance ingredient that can oxidize and become allergenic.
- Citronellol: A fragrance ingredient with a rose-like scent, often used in perfumes.
- Hexyl Cinnamal: A fragrance ingredient with a floral, jasmine-like scent.
- Hydroxycitronellal: A fragrance ingredient with a floral scent, often described as lily-like.
- Benzyl Benzoate: A fragrance component with a faint sweet balsamic smell, also used as a solvent.
Methylparaben is a common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics. While parabens have been subject to controversy, they are generally considered safe in the concentrations used in skincare. However, some studies suggest caution with sun exposure when using products containing methylparaben.
The Iconic Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant is a legendary all-purpose beauty balm, first created in 1930. It earned its name when a client reported that the cream made a noticeable improvement on her son's grazed knee in eight hours. This universal salve quickly gained fame for its skin-healing properties and extensive list of uses.
The original Eight Hour Cream is a cult classic, celebrated for its ability to soften dry, ashy skin, smooth split ends, and even soothe conditions like frostbite. Its efficacy has been recognized by royalty, with Queen Elizabeth II being a notable fan, leading to the brand being granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment. Other members of the royal family, including Princess Diana and Prince Harry, have also used the cream. It is considered a cornerstone of the Elizabeth Arden line, alongside other iconic beauty products.
The ingredient list of the original Eight Hour Cream is notably concise and effective, featuring key ingredients such as Petrolatum and Lanolin, which are occlusive agents excellent for moisture retention. Castor Seed Oil, a plant-based oil rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to help fade dark spots. Salicylic Acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), acts as an exfoliant, helping to clear pores and remove dead skin cells.
While petrolatum-based products can sometimes feel more clinical, Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream offers a more luxurious experience, with a signature rose scent and skin-softening ingredients. It can provide a soft, peachy tint to the lips and skin.
Versatile Uses of Eight Hour Cream
The Eight Hour Cream's versatility is one of its greatest assets:
- Overnight Face Mask: Applied as a thick coat over a hydrating serum, it can provide an intensive beauty sleep facial, leaving skin plumped and supple.
- Lip and Cuticle Care: A small amount can revive dry, flaky lips and hydrate cuticles, offering long-lasting hydration and a velvety texture. The peachy tint can enhance the appearance of lips.
- Hair Treatment: Warmed and raked through the mid-lengths and ends of hair, it adds shine and moisture. It can also tame flyaways when styling hair. A small amount applied to a spoolie can smooth rogue hairs along the hairline and roots.
- Eyebrow Taming: Similar to hair, it can be used to groom and shape eyebrows.
Given its potent benefits and the small amount needed for application, Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream is considered a worthwhile investment. The brand has also expanded the Eight Hour line to include products like a lip balm with SPF 15, body lotion, and hand cream, all carrying the beloved scent and moisturizing properties of the original.
Other Elizabeth Arden Products
Beyond the iconic Eight Hour Cream, Elizabeth Arden has a range of other notable skincare products. The Elizabeth Arden SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster comes in sleek, dome-shaped bottles with a pump top. It is designed to be applied to a cleansed face, avoiding the eye area, to enhance skin renewal.
The brand also offers individual capsules of powerful antioxidant and moisturizing benefits, which are particularly convenient for travel. These capsules are suitable for normal to dry skin and are a fabulous way to keep a measured dose of potent skincare on hand.