Works for
ExfoliationGluconolactone, AllantoinWorks well
“PHAs gently exfoliate to reveal a smoother surface.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: gluconolactone.
MoisturizingGluconolactone, Zinc pca + 5 moreWorks
“Allantoin-Renowned for its soothing and moisturising effects, allantoin reduces redness and inflammation.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": allantoin, glycerin.
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).
Anti-blemishGluconolactone, Zinc pca + 1 moreNot delivered
“Results -Clear and heal areas of congestion -Soothes blemishes -Reduces breakouts Suitable for -Teens suffering from breakouts -Sensitive skin -Combination, oily and blemish-prone skin To use Spritz onto cleansed skin and pat in until fully absorbed.”
This product contains ingredients (gluconolactone, zinc pca) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Gluconolactone, Zinc pca + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains gluconolactone.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · GluconolactoneWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Gluconolactone, Zinc pca + 3 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (gluconolactone) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Kunzea ericoides leaf oil + 10 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Gluconolactone~6.5–8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactonePolyglyceryl-4 caprate~4.8–5.9%
Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate~3.9–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-6 caprylateZinc pca~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaHamamelis virginiana water~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterPropanediol~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAllantoin~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinKunzea ericoides leaf oil~1.8–2.2%
Litsea cubeba fruit oil~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil with a lemon-like smell that is extracted from a fruit grown in Asia. Used as a fragrance
More about Litsea cubeba fruit oilIris florentina root extract~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Papaver rhoeas flower extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderEucalyptus globulus leaf oil~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilLavandula angustifolia flower oil~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrant plant oil, can be irritating
More about Lavandula angustifolia flower oilEugenia caryophyllus bud oil~0.4–0.65%
Anthemis nobilis flower oil~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that is used as a fragrance and can be irritating. It might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Anthemis nobilis flower oilCitrus limon peel oil~0.3–0.6%
Glycerin~0.4–0.6%
- 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 GlycerinTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- 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~0.3–0.55%
Citric acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBenzyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholDehydroacetic acid~0.25–0.45%
Potassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.4%
Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Geraniol~0.15–0.3%
Eugenol~0.15–0.3%
Citral~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Gluconolactone, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate, Zinc pca, Hamamelis virginiana water, Propanediol, Allantoin, Kunzea ericoides leaf oil, Litsea cubeba fruit oil, Iris florentina root extract, Papaver rhoeas flower extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Lavandula angustifolia flower oil, Eugenia caryophyllus bud oil, Anthemis nobilis flower oil, Citrus limon peel oil, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic acid, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium hydroxide, Geraniol, Eugenol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
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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 MePHA Clarifying MistYOUR PRODUCT | Allies of SkinMolecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist | SkinfixBarrier+ Nutrient Water Misting Tonic | GlytoneAcne Treatment Spray - Back and Chest | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 57% | 57% |
| Price | — | $47.44 | — | $21.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Panthenol | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: MyChelle Dermaceuticals Ultra Hyaluronic Beauty MistVOYA Ritzy Spritzy Facial Spritz
Product summary
"Balance Me - PHA Clarifying Mist" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-aging, Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. PHAs (gluconolactone 6.50% - 8.00%) in this product also work for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
- In addition, this product contains Allantoin (1.90% - 2.30%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.40% - 0.60%, allantoin 1.90% - 2.30% and zinc pca 3.20% - 3.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 24.90$ in the United States and from 13.50£ up to 22.00£ 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 21 studies and safety reviews.
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