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Balea Apricot Peeling Cream
Balea

Balea Apricot Peeling Cream

Efficacy37/100IrritancyMedium
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Works for

1 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil + 9 more
Good evidence
What the product description says
“Apricot Peeling Cream”
From product name

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. 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. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycine soja oil, persea gratissima oil.

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.1–3.2%
Prunus armeniaca kernel oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin~1.3–2%
Persea gratissima oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function~1.5–2.2%
Glycine soja oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.~4.7–7%
Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~0.4–1%
Hydrogenated starch hydrolysateKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can add sweet taste to lip products~1–1.6%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~2.2–3.3%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~0.1–0.4%
Stearic acid· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~1.8–2.7%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.1–0.4%
LecithinEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.6%
Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
No evidence
What the product description says
“Balea apricot peeling cream refines the appearance of the skin.”
Source: German Drugstore

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?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.35–0.85%est.
Glyceryl oleateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.3%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Medium~4.7–7%est.
Persea gratissima oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier functionMedium~1.5–2.2%est.
Prunus armeniaca kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the skinMedium~1.3–2%est.
Cetearyl glucosideHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product textureMedium~0.85–1.25%est.
Sodium cetearyl sulfateHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
Lauryl glucosideHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.5%est.
Ascorbyl palmitateBeing 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.Medium~0.05–0.3%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.2/5~4.7–7%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~2.2–3.3%est.
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Ingredients

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Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycine soja oil~4.7–7%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.

More about Glycine soja oil
Pumice~3.8–5.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Milled volcanic rock. Used as an abrasive for physical exfoliation

More about Pumice
Cetearyl alcohol~2.2–3.3%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Glycerin~2.1–3.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Stearic acid~1.8–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Persea gratissima oil~1.5–2.2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function

More about Persea gratissima oil
Prunus armeniaca kernel oil~1.3–2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oil
Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate~1–1.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can add sweet taste to lip products

More about Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate
Cetearyl glucoside~0.85–1.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture

More about Cetearyl glucoside
Magnesium aluminum silicate~0.55–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-aging

Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Magnesium aluminum silicate
Phenoxyethanol~0.4–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Parfum~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Cetyl alcohol~0.4–1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Sodium cetearyl sulfate~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Sodium cetearyl sulfate
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together

More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
Lauryl glucoside~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Lauryl glucoside
Citric acid~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.15–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose
Lecithin~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lecithin
Tocopherol~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

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 Tocopherol
Ascorbyl palmitate~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-aging

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 palmitate
Glyceryl stearate~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Glyceryl oleate~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Glyceryl oleate
Silver citrate~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Silver citrate
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycine soja oil, Pumice, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Stearic acid, Persea gratissima oil, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, Cetearyl glucoside, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Cetyl alcohol, Sodium benzoate, Sodium cetearyl sulfate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Lauryl glucoside, Citric acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Glyceryl stearate, Glyceryl oleate, Silver citrate, Sodium hydroxide

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German Drugstore
$2.89
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Safety assessment of hydrogenated starch hydrolysatesncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Final report on the safety assessment of aluminum silicate, calcium silicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, magnesium trisilicate, sodium magnesium silicate, zirconium silicate, attapulgite, bentonite, Fuller's earth, hectorite, kaolin, lithium magnesium silicate, lithium magnesium sodium silicate, montmorillonite, pyrophyllite, and zeolitencbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Extracellular matrix in cutaneous ageing: the effects of 0.1% copper-zinc malonate-containing cream on elastin biosynthesisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate journals.sagepub.com
  6. 6
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Balea Apricot Peeling Cream
BaleaApricot Peeling Cream
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