Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm
Works for
CleansingPolyglyceryl-4 oleate, Glyceryl stearate + 3 moreCleanses gently
“The Cleansing Balm”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (glyceryl stearate, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, sorbitan oleate, xanthan gum) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Making light work of even the most stubborn make up, this calms as it cleanses – soothing and smoothing the skin to promote health and radiance – simply sweep it away with ‘The Cloth’ (100% cotton muslin) to provide gentle exfoliation and enhance the skin brightening benefits.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 flagged ingredientsMedium 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.
Helianthus annuus seed oil~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilCocos nucifera oil~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilPolyglyceryl-4 oleate~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 oleateVitis vinifera seed oil~3.9–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilHelianthus annuus seed wax~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency
More about Helianthus annuus seed waxPersea gratissima oil~2.2–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilSqualane~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneC10-18 triglycerides~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the skin and attract water to its upper layer. Helps create nice product texture
More about C10-18 triglyceridesPhytosterols~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function
More about PhytosterolsBisabolol~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololHydrogenated vegetable oil~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated vegetable oilOlea europaea fruit oil~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilGlyceryl stearate~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateSorbitan oleate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateTocopherol~0.35–0.8%
- 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 TocopherolAscorbyl palmitate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateGlycerin~0.35–0.8%
- 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 GlycerinWater~0.2–0.75%
Lecithin~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPentylene glycol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolHydrolyzed rice protein~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Hydrolyzed rice proteinOpuntia ficus-indica stem extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideXanthan gum~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumButylene glycol~0.15–0.65%
- 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 glycolArginine~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArgininePhenylalanine~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycine~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineLysine~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about LysineSisymbrium irio seed oil~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Could help reduce inflammation due to high content of linolenic acid
More about Sisymbrium irio seed oilPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.4%
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Oligopeptide-4~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Oligopeptide-4Oligopeptide-177~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Helianthus annuus seed oil, Cocos nucifera oil, Polyglyceryl-4 oleate, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Persea gratissima oil, Squalane, C10-18 triglycerides, Phytosterols, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Glyceryl stearate, Sorbitan oleate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Glycerin, Water, Lecithin, Pentylene glycol, Hydrolyzed rice protein, Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Xanthan gum, Butylene glycol, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Glycine, Lysine, Sisymbrium irio seed oil, Potassium sorbate, Sodium hydroxide, Oligopeptide-4, Oligopeptide-177
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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.
| Augustinus BaderThe Cleansing BalmYOUR PRODUCT | GlossierMilky Jelly Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover | TypologyCleansing balm with organic camellia oil | Blue Lagoon Skin ScienceBL+ Cleansing Balm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 33% | 33% | 32% |
| Price | $84.00 | $23.58−$60.42 | $22.50−$61.50 | $42.53−$41.47 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 21 | 4 of 21 | 5 of 21 |
| Key difference | — | Beta-Sitosterol | Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil | Algae Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: HoliFrog Kissimmee Vitamin F Cleansing BalmIDF Kissimmee Vitamin F Cleansing Balm
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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