Elf Cosmetics is known for its affordable line of makeup products, but many don’t know that the brand has a pretty extensive collection of skin care products. Elf skincare products can address concerns like dryness, blemishes, uneven skin tone, aging, and more.
One of the popular products in the collection is the Elf Happy Hydration Cream, a moisturizing face cream with hemp-derived cannabis sativa seed oil as the star ingredient. In this review, we’ll give you the details on the Elf Happy Hydration Cream, including the research that supports the use of hemp seed oil in skincare.
What is Elf Happy Hydration Cream?
Elf Happy Hydration Cream is a whipped, creamy face moisturizer that blends into the skin easily to provide rich hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. It is said to be suitable for all skin types.
Elf Happy Hydration Cream is claimed to:
- Lock in moisture and hydrate the skin
- Soothe skin
- Help skin look more revived
So can Elf Happy Hydration Cream provide all of these benefits? In order to answer that question, we must evaluate the key ingredients in this Elf moisturizer.
What Are The Key Ingredients in Elf Happy Hydration Cream?
Like we mentioned above, hemp-derived cannabis sativa seed oil is the key ingredient in Elf Happy Hydration Cream. But the formula also contains supporting key ingredients like niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, and peptides. Below we’ll discuss the science that supports the use of these ingredients in skin care, starting with hemp seed oil.
Hemp seed oil is obtained by pressing the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant, an annual herbaceous flowering plant indigenous to eastern Asia. Although cannabis as a drug and industrial hemp both derive from the species Cannabis sativa and contain the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), they are distinct strains with unique phytochemical compositions and uses. Hemp has lower concentrations of THC and higher concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD), which decreases or eliminates its psychoactive effects. The Elf Happy Hydration Cream is THC-free.
In a 2014 review of plants used to treat skin diseases, the authors note that the topical application of hemp seed oil strengthens the skin and makes it better able to resist infection. The review also states that hemp seed oil may be a helpful treatment for eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and a range of other skin conditions.
Hemp seed oil is also said to be beneficial for those with oily or acne prone skin. This is because hemp seed oil helps to balance oil production and is non-comedogenic (it won’t clog pores).
The only problem with including hemp seed oil in Elf Happy Hydration Cream is that the brand uses jar packaging. If this ingredient is continuously exposed to light and air when you open the jar to apply the cream, it will start to lose its effectiveness over time.
The next key ingredient that you’ll find in Elf Happy Hydration Cream is niacinamide, the amide form of vitamin B3 (niacin) that provides many benefits to the skin. For instance, a publication in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, states that niacinamide can repair the skin barrier and improve skin moisture, as well as reduce inflammation, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkling.
Elf Happy Hydration Cream also includes sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a type of glycosaminoglycan (sugar molecule) that attracts moisture from the environment and draws that moisture into the skin’s upper layers. In fact, hyaluronic acid has the ability to attract and hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Therefore, this ingredient can help to improve skin hydration while also giving the skin a plump, youthful look.
The final key ingredients in Elf Happy Hydration Cream are two peptides — palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 — also known by the trade name Matrixyl 3000. These two peptides work synergistically to restore and maintain the skin’s youthful appearance through cell signaling. Specifically, these peptides mimic the same peptides that you’d find when collagen is broken down. As collagen deteriorates due to age and environmental factors, it produces peptides that signal skin cells to generate more collagen. By mimicking these naturally occurring peptides, synthetic peptides cause your skin to “think” collagen is deteriorating and therefore it needs to produce new collagen. The result? Firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
Are There Any Side Effects?
As with any skin care product, there is a possibility to have an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in Elf Happy Hydration Day Cream. After reading Elf Happy Hydration Day Cream reviews, we did notice that some customers did have reactions after using this product. This is why it’s important to perform a patch test when incorporating a new skin care product.
How Effective is Elf Happy Hydration Cream?
Elf Happy Hydration Cream is claimed to hydrate skin, soothe skin, and help skin look more revived. But can this Elf moisturizer live up to these claims? Below we’ll discuss whether or not Elf Happy Hydration Cream will provide these benefits.
Does it hydrate skin?
Yes, Elf Happy Hydration Cream should help to hydrate skin thanks to ingredients like glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and panthenol (pro-vitamin B5).
Does it soothe skin?
Yes, Elf Happy Hydration Cream should help to soothe skin due to the high concentration of hemp seed oil (as long as this ingredient doesn’t degrade due to exposure to light and air).
Does it help skin look more revived?
Yes, Elf Happy Hydration Cream should help skin to look more “revived” thanks to the brightening effects of niacinamide, the firming effects of peptides, and the hydrating plumping effect of sodium hyaluronate.
How to Use Elf Happy Hydration Cream?
Gently massage a small amount of Elf Happy Hydration Cream onto clean skin. This Elf moisturizer can be used alone, before makeup, or added to your morning and night skin care routine.
How Much Does Elf Happy Hydration Cream Cost?
The majority of Elf Cosmetics products are under $20, making this a very affordable brand. Elf Happy Hydration Cream is no exception, costing just $12 for a 1.7 oz jar.
Where to Buy Elf Happy Hydration Cream?
Elf Happy Hydration Cream is sold on the brand’s website, as well as many third party online retailers, such as Target, Walmart, Amazon, and more.
What is The Elf Return Policy?
The Elf return policy states, “We apologize, but due to the low cost nature of our products, we are unable to offer any returns (except as noted below) or exchanges.” Therefore, if you aren’t satisfied with Elf Happy Hydration Cream or any other Elf skin care products, you will not be able to return it.
Is Elf Cruelty Free?
Yes, Elf is cruelty free. The brand does not test their ingredients or finished products on animals, and neither do their suppliers. In addition, Elf skin care products are not sold in places where animal testing is required by law.
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Elf Happy Hydration Cream is a good option for those with normal to dry skin types. It contains evidence-based ingredients that will help to lock in moisture, thereby leaving the skin hydrated and smooth.
Pros
- Low cost ($12 for 1.7 oz)
- Fragrance free
- High concentration of hemp seed oil
- Contains evidence-based key ingredients (niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, peptides)
Cons
- Packaged in a jar (some ingredients may lose effectiveness due to exposure to light and air)
References:
1. Pharmacogn Rev. 2014 Jan-Jun; 8(15): 52–60.
2. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010 Feb; 3(2): 22–41
