Ahava

Ahava’s line includes products for the face, body, and hair, as well as a men’s line. Some of these products include: Cleansing Milk, Mud Exfoliator, Mineral Beauty Serum, Matifying Moisturizer, Mineral Body Lotion, Purifying Mud Soap, Bath Salts, Mineral Shampoo, Optimizer Serum, and Soothing After Shave Moisturizer.

Ahava’s Anti-aging line includes its patented 3D complex, which contains a particular algae that is indigenous to the Dead Sea region and, according to the company website, boasts an array of vitamins and amino acids that may help to reduce wrinkles. The complex also contains additional plant extracts for enhanced hydration.

While all of the products in Ahava’s anti-aging line include its 3D Complex, the Optimizer Serum also includes calcium and magnesium. According to the website’s mineral glossary, calcium helps to protect cells while magnesium stimulates protein synthesis. Regrettably, there is very little research concerning either mineral’s antioxidant benefits, either topically or orally.

The 3D complex does show some promise in that it contains amino acids. When formed into certain peptide complexes, amino acids have been shown to reduce the formation of fine lines by reducing the small facial movements that over time result in creasing. They may also help to stimulate collagen synthesis, helping to restore skin’s “cushion” of firmness that tends to be lost with age.

Those interested in the Dead Sea and its healing powers will be happy to learn that the Ahava web site contains a good amount of information on its history as well as the elements that make it unique. Because of the company’s heavy emphasis on the benefits of minerals, the site includes a brief glossary that explains how each element helps to heal the skin. Regrettably, Ahava does not include descriptions of its other ingredients, some of which are a bit obscure.

Ahava products are available online through its website, which saves consumers the trouble of having to locate a local spa that carries them. However, there are no free trial samples available, and considering that Ahava products do not exactly have drugstore prices, some women may decide that the uncertainty is not worth the risk.

• Complete ingredient lists posted for each product
• Products are available through the manufacturer’s website

• Does not contain peptides
• No free trial sample available
• Website does not post clear descriptions of ingredients

The Dead Sea is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating locations on the planet, immediately conjuring up images of swimmers floating effortlessly and mud packs with curative powers. Although remedies derived from its basin have been in use since the days of the ancient Egyptians, there is still something to be said for modern technology.

Certain minerals may function as antioxidants, protecting the skin from free radical damage, but regrettably there is little evidence to indicate that they have any significant effect on wrinkles. Consumers may be drawn to Ahava products by the allure of its history, but ultimately they may be better off seeking a product that incorporates more modern complexes at reasonable prices.