AMELIORATE Balancing Facial Moisturiser
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPrunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Beta-glucan + 14 moreGood evidence
“Balancing Facial Moisturiser”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene glycol.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Evens skin toneLactic acidWeak evidence
“A powerhouse of ingredients, including LaB6 Skin Clearing Complex, work together to decongest your pores, reduce excess oil, and even out your skin tone.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Parfum, Benzyl salicylate + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed~3.7–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seedGlycerin~3.8–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCoconut alkanes~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Coconut alkanesPolyglyceryl-6 stearate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-6 stearateCetearyl alcohol~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPentaerythrityl distearate~1.7–2%
Cetearyl glucoside~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideSalix alba bark extract~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium polyacrylate~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateParfum~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumHydroxyacetophenone~0.55–0.85%
Macadamia ternifolia seed oil~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oilCamelina sativa seed oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Camelina sativa seed oilAmylopectin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coco-caprylate/caprate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateButylene glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolMorinda citrifolia leaf extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-6 behenate~0.4–0.6%
Acrylates/ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Inulin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking
More about InulinSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateLactic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidBenzyl salicylate~0.3–0.55%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.3–0.55%
Amylose~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylyl glycol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLimonene~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitric acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAminomethyl propanol~0.3–0.55%
1,2-hexanediol~0.3–0.55%
Beta-glucan~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanSodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerLecithin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Laureth-21~0.35–0.65%
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIsohexadecane~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneCodium tomentosum extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ecklonia cava extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Gelidium cartilagineum extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hizikia fusiforme extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polysorbate 80~0.15–0.3%
Tocopherol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.15%
Ci 77288~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Glycerin, Coconut alkanes, Polyglyceryl-6 stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Pentaerythrityl distearate, Cetearyl glucoside, Salix alba bark extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium polyacrylate, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Camelina sativa seed oil, Amylopectin, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Butylene glycol, Morinda citrifolia leaf extract, Polyglyceryl-6 behenate, Acrylates/ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer, Inulin, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Lactic acid, Benzyl salicylate, Hexyl cinnamal, Amylose, Caprylyl glycol, Limonene, Citric acid, Aminomethyl propanol, 1,2-hexanediol, Beta-glucan, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Lecithin, Sodium benzoate, Laureth-21, Xanthan gum, Isohexadecane, Codium tomentosum extract, Ecklonia cava extract, Gelidium cartilagineum extract, Hizikia fusiforme extract, Polysorbate 80, Tocopherol, Sodium hydroxide, Ci 77288
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| AMELIORATEBalancing Facial MoisturiserYOUR PRODUCT | WeledaAlmond Soothing Facial Cream | January LabsRetexturizing Night Cream | PRIORI SkincareLCA - Skin Renewal Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 56% | 55% |
| Price | $25.00 | $17.69−$7.31 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | — | Niacinamide | Retinyl Palmitate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extractonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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