Arcona Desert Mist Review

Arcona Desert Mist
3.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
6.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
0.5Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Arcona Desert Mist Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Arcona Desert Mist has to offer:
 
  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 3.0 out of 10.
  • Slight anti-wrinkle effect: Arcona Desert Mist has an anti-wrinkle rating of 0.5 out of 10, so you may expect a positive, although insignificant, effect on wrinkles.
  • Soothing: Arcona Desert Mist contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of Arcona Desert Mist

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Arcona Desert Mist:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizer Well-Suited for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Arcona Desert Mist is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 3.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a high humectancy of 6.0 out of 10, due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈4.0%) and Sodium PCA (est. ≈2.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is well-suited for oily skin, providing moderate hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

A Humectant Enhancement for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant enhancement will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Slight Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Arcona Desert Mist has a slight anti-wrinkle rating of 0.5 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈1.0%), 
 or Vitamin C, a popular ingredient, yet with moderate anti-wrinkle efficacy, as confirmed by a single clinical study involving 20 participants (Humbert et al.). This study showed that a cream with a relatively high concentration of 5% ascorbic acid reduced the average wrinkle depth by 7% after 6 months of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without ascorbic acid).
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Arcona Desert Mist is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract (est. ≈6.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Arcona Desert Mist is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract (est. ≈6.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Arcona Desert Mist

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Arcona Desert Mist to your skincare routine:
 

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Arcona Desert Mist as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of Arcona Desert Mist

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Arcona Desert Mist to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Humectant moisturizing well-suited for oily skin
  • Lightweight texture
  • A humectant moisturizing enhancement for any skincare routine
  • Provides slight anti-wrinkle efficacy
  • Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution
  • Contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help reduce irritation and soothe the skin

Cons: 

  • Needs occlusives to seal in humectants if used as a standalone moisturizer

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium PCA
Function:
Origin:
Tocotrienols
Function:
Origin:
Zeolite
Function:
Origin:
Ascorbic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Glutathione
Function:
Origin:
Deuterium Oxide
Function:
Origin:
Saccharomyces/Selenium Ferment
Function:
Origin:
Acetyl Cysteine
Function:
Origin:
Origanum Majorana Leaf Oil
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
6.0
4
2
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
3.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 6 10
6.0
4
2
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
3.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
4
2
All humectants 6 10
6
All humectants
6.0
4
2
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
2.5 /10 5 1 0.5
Total
0.5
Ascorbic Acid
0.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
2.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
1
Anti-wrinkle rating
0.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
6
1
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 7.6 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
7.6
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
6
Ascorbic Acid
1
Glutathione
0.3
Acetyl Cysteine
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
6
All soothing 6 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
6
6
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) ExtractAn extract obtained from the twigs and/or leaves of witch hazel. It is one of the oldest skincare remedies known to man. It is astringent and sebum regulating, meaning that it controls the amount of sebum that the skin produces.
Glycerin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Alcohol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
AlcoholAn effective antimicrobial ingredient that kills bacteria, fungi, and even some viruses. It is also an excellent solvent and astringent. Alcohol helps to create lighter and less viscous products. It can, however, be dehydrating and skin-sensitizing.
Sodium PCA
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Sodium PCAOne of the most important parts of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Sodium PCA is used in skincare for its fantastic humectant properties.
Tocotrienols
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Tocotrienols
Zeolite
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Zeolite
Ascorbic Acid
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Ascorbic Acid

Also known as vitamin C, this multi-benefit ingredient has proven anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, and anti-pigmentation efficacy. It degrades easily when exposed to air and light, so it requires proper packaging to maintain its stability.

Glutathione
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
GlutathioneA naturally occurring tripeptide that combats free radicals and acts as a reducing agent.
Deuterium Oxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Deuterium Oxide
Saccharomyces/Selenium Ferment
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Saccharomyces/Selenium Ferment
Acetyl Cysteine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acetyl Cysteine
Origanum Majorana Leaf Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Origanum Majorana Leaf Oil