What's In My Jar
Christina Biophyto Balancing Cream
Christina

Christina Biophyto Balancing Cream

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Cetyl alcohol, Capryloyl glycine + 12 more
Works
What the product description says
“Балансирующий крем для лица из серии Bio Phyto от бренда Christina содержит высокую концентрацию натуральных компонентов, поэтому интенсивно увлажняет, глубоко питает и надежно защищает кожу как днем, так и ночью.”
Source: MAKEUP

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, sarcosine.

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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.

Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~5.8–7.1%
Capryloyl glycineKey activeEffect: MediumHelps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin~3.8–4.7%
SarcosineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin~1.7–2.1%
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~1.5–1.9%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~1.3–1.6%
Butyrospermum parkii butterKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~1–1.3%
Prunus amygdalus dulcis seedKey activeEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.45–0.65%
Ethylhexyl palmitateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture~0.45–0.7%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~0.3–0.6%
DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish~0.25–0.5%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~3.7–4.6%
Isohexadecane· EmollientEffect: LowImproves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent~0.9–1.1%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~0.15–0.25%
Camellia sinensis leaf extractEffect: Low, below effective doseCan contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation~0.1–0.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract—High~2.3–2.8%est.
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.5%est.
Geranium maculatum oilAn essential oil. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.
Hexylene glycolHelps create a more spreadable product textureMedium~1.9–2.3%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~1.3–1.6%est.
Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.5–0.75%est.
EthoxydiglycolHelps to improve the product consistencyMedium~0.4–0.65%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.25–0.5%est.
Sorbitan tristearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.4%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
3 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
Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~1–1.3%est.
Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture3/5~0.45–0.7%est.
Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix together2/5~0.5–0.75%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cetyl alcohol~5.8–7.1%
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
Glyceryl stearate~3.7–4.6%
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
Capryloyl glycine~3.8–4.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Capryloyl glycine
Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract~2.3–2.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract
Hexylene glycol~1.9–2.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a more spreadable product texture

More about Hexylene glycol
Sarcosine~1.7–2.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Sarcosine
Glycerin~1.5–1.9%
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
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~1.3–1.6%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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 triglyceride
Butyrospermum parkii butter~1–1.3%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter
Isohexadecane~0.9–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

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 Isohexadecane
Polysorbate 80~0.6–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Polysorbate 80
Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.55–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer
Sorbitan oleate~0.5–0.75%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan oleate
Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed~0.45–0.65%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed
Ethoxydiglycol~0.4–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to improve the product consistency

More about Ethoxydiglycol
Ethylhexyl palmitate~0.45–0.7%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Ethylhexyl palmitate
Peg-40 stearate~0.4–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 stearate
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.3–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating

More about Calendula officinalis flower extract
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.3–0.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 oil
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions

More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer
Dimethicone~0.25–0.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

More about Dimethicone
Sorbitan tristearate~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan tristearate
Chlorphenesin~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Geranium maculatum oil~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Can be irritating

More about Geranium maculatum oil
Butylene glycol~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.1–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
AntibacterialAnti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-blemishEvens skin toneMoisturizing

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

More about Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Sodium phytate~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate
Triclosan~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Triclosan
Ingredient list view

Water, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Capryloyl glycine, Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract, Hexylene glycol, Sarcosine, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Sorbitan oleate, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Peg-40 stearate, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Dimethicone, Sorbitan tristearate, Chlorphenesin, Geranium maculatum oil, Butylene glycol, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Sodium phytate, Triclosan

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/11 18:29 GMT
$72.00
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
ChristinaBiophyto Balancing CreamYOUR PRODUCTKate SomervilleDeliKate Recovery CreamPeter Thomas RothUn-Crepe Face & Neck MoisturizerNATURE REPUBLICShea Butter Steam Cream Ultra
Match—41%41%41%
Price$72.00$70.00−$2.00—$19.10−$52.90
Shared key ingredients—6 of 86 of 86 of 8
Key difference—AdenosineGluconolactoneArginine
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Topical application of Calendula officinalis (L.): Formulation and evaluation of hydrophilic cream with antioxidant activitypdfs.semanticscholar.org
  4. 4
    The seamy side of natural medicines: contact sensitization to arnica (Arnica montana L.) and marigold (Calendula officinalis L.)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Final report on the safety assessment of Calendula officinalis extract and Calendula officinalisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Contact dermatitis as an adverse reaction to some topically used European herbal medicinal products – part 1: Achillea millefolium–Curcuma longaonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Christina Biophyto Balancing Cream
ChristinaBiophyto Balancing Cream
Buy on Amazon$72.00 · as of 11/11 18:29 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy on Amazon$72.00 · as of 11/11 18:29 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.