Balance Active Formula Skincare Gold + Marine Collagen Rejuvenating Serum
Works for
Anti-agingAcetyl heptapeptide-9May help
“Lines and wrinkles appear reduced”
This product contains acetyl heptapeptide-9. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Acetyl heptapeptide-9, Glycerin + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, soluble collagen.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl heptapeptide-9
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Parfum, Citral + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.8%
- 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 GlycerinPorphyridium cruentum extract~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A red algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have an antioxidant effect
More about Porphyridium cruentum extractPullulan~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCarrageenan~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
More about CarrageenanTin oxide~1.6–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxidePolysorbate 20~1.2–1.8%
Parfum~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDisodium edta~0.5–1%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.5–1.15%
- 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 acetateEthylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.95%
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseSynthetic fluorphlogopite~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products
More about Synthetic fluorphlogopitePropanediol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolXanthan gum~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBenzyl alcohol~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholSoluble collagen~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A typically plant-derived compound that is supposed mimic human collagen. Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products beyond attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Soluble collagenGlyceryl caprylate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateBenzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Sorbic acid~0.1–0.45%
Colloidal gold~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acetyl heptapeptide-9~0.1–0.4%
- 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 Acetyl heptapeptide-9Citral~0.05–0.25%
Benzyl benzoate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateHexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.2%
Limonene~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneTitanium dioxide~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideIron oxides~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Porphyridium cruentum extract, Pullulan, Phenoxyethanol, Carrageenan, Tin oxide, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Disodium edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Propanediol, Xanthan gum, Benzyl alcohol, Soluble collagen, Glyceryl caprylate, Benzoic acid, Sorbic acid, Colloidal gold, Acetyl heptapeptide-9, Citral, Benzyl benzoate, Hexyl cinnamal, Limonene, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides
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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.
| Balance Active FormulaSkincare Gold + Marine Collagen Rejuvenating SerumYOUR PRODUCT | PoshGilt Trip Serum | ChantecailleGold Recovery Intense Concentrate A.M./P.M | CvaraSkinCareMajaFirm Treatment Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 56% | 56% |
| Price | — | $45.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Patricks NS1 | ANTI-AGING NIGHT SERUMSoap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Fill Seeker Plumping & Rejuvenating Lip Serum
Product summary
"Balance Active Formula - Skincare Gold + Marine Collagen Rejuvenating Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Peptides (acetyl heptapeptide-9 0.10% - 0.45%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- Humectants (soluble collagen 0.20% - 0.70% and glycerin 3.90% - 5.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails at around 5.45£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 2 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Tin(IV) Oxide as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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