Consumer Health News

AHAVA skincare products mine the Dead Sea for efficacy, product review

By April MacIntyre Oct 23, 2009, 2:46 GMT

In search of AHAVA products, I came across what you recommended the most in your emails: the Energizing Body Mud Mask for face and body, and the Body Sorbet Caress, a body creme that would give prestige high end lines La Prairie and Sisley a run for their money in its efficacy and sheer luxe feel and absorption.

Back in August of 2008, Monsters and Critics published a comprehensive look at organic and natural cosmetic brands that were available in grocery chains and super-drug stores, and spoke with many of the entrepreneurs who have filled the shelves with the most popular brands.

Consumers today are demanding higher quality personal care items in the common supermarket aisles that traditionally offer the most basic mass-market varieties.

The people I spoke with researching that particular skincare roundup all shared a passion for quality ingredients and ethical practices in the workplace.

Many of you read that article and wrote to me, asking about the Dead Sea infused skin care line by AHAVA, which I neglected to include in that original list found here.   

AHAVA means “love” in Hebrew.

In search of AHAVA  products,  I came across what you recommended the most in your emails: the Energizing Body Mud Mask for face and body, and the Body Sorbet Caress, a body creme that would give prestige high end lines La Prairie and Sisley a run for their money in its efficacy and sheer luxe feel and absorption. 

The products are formulated of ingredients distilled from the Dead Sea in Israel.

The company claims the nourishing powers of Dead Sea minerals, salts, and botanicals in all their skincare products will deliver the goods.

The Dead Sea is 410 meters below sea level; the lowest point on the planet.  These minerals are claimed to create a natural compound that stimulates the skin to absorb and hold moisture effectively.

I contacted Leslie Derderian, Assistant Marketing Manager of AHAVA, who shared with me that the Dead Sea contains the highest concentration of minerals in the world, an astounding 32%.

Dead Sea Laboratories, creators of AHAVA’s extensive line of mineral-based skincare products, has been researching the efficacy of minerals in slowing the skin’s aging process and replenishing its natural moisture balance.

The AHAVA product family is divided into several product lines:

Source: Basic, comprehensive skincare for all skin types

Dermud: Intense nourishment for very dry, very sensitive skin

Time Line: Anti-aging treatment for the face

Men’s: Optimized for men’s skin

Pure Spa: Anti-aging wellness for the body

AHAVA “Pure Spa” collection uses citrus and citrus products as its rich source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for skin health, inside and out.

Tested for this review was the Energizing Body Mud Mask, a lightweight silky smooth greenish Mandarin and Cedarwood body mud mask works deeply and found it to be pleasant and toning, and easily removed.  The areas I used the product, including my face, felt smoother and looked more refined, and it had a brightening effect on the skin as well.

The other product many of you recommended to me was the Body Sorbet Caress.  This product was a homerun standout.  Lightly scented with essential oils of Mandarin and Cedarwood in a fluffy creamy quickly absorbed creme was amazing, and I would compare this product to body cremes of the high-end level of Laura Mercier, Erno Laszlo, L'Occitane, La Prairie and Chanel, it is that good. It costs a fraction of the aforementioned.

Impressed by the two products I splurged for, and intrigued by the concept and basis for their skincare line, I had some questions for Leslie Derderian, Assistant Marketing Manager of AHAVA.

When was it actually discovered that the mineral remnants of the Dead Sea benefited skin and health? 

Leslie: Dead Sea Laboratories (DSL), the creators of AHAVA, was founded in 1988.  For over 20 years AHAVA is driven by a deep passion to unearth the secrets of the revitalizing effects of minerals on the skin.

Is Dead Sea Laboratories the most comprehensive beauty product manufacturer in this region?  How long have you been in the beauty business with them?

Leslie: Dead Sea Laboratories is the only cosmetic company indigenous to the Dead Sea region with the exclusive rights from the Israeli government to mine the mud, salt and minerals from this region. 

Where is this product available?

Leslie: AHAVA is sold in over 30 countries worldwide.

Are there specific skin/dermatological ailments that the minerals in your products shown to help alleviate, such as Rosacea, Psoriasis and acne prone skin?

Leslie: There are seven distinct lines under the AHAVA umbrella which help a variety of skin conditions. 

The power behind these lines is the Mineral Skin Osmoter (MSO), an exclusive scientifically balanced formulation of 21 essential Dead Sea minerals.  Minerals such as Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium and Sodium are known as Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) and are vital in maintaining healthy skin functioning, making up 5% of the human body. As you age, the Natural Moisturizing Factors in your body are depleted causing a variety of skin conditions.  That’s where AHAVA’s MSO comes in to replenish and restore essential minerals.

More specifically, AHAVA’s Dermud line, specially formulated with soothing Dead Sea mud, is approved by the Israeli Diabetes Association and clinically proven to reduce the scaling, roughness, redness and cracks associated with certain skin conditions. 

AHAVA’s Source line contains a variety of products such as the Purifying Gel and Purifying Mud Mask for Oily Skin to help reduce excess sebum to prevent the formation of blemishes.