Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Moisturizing14 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, cera microcristallina.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: petrolatum
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: stearyl glycyrrhetinate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Salvia sclarea extractMedium risk
Comedogenic6 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale6 flagged
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Ingredients
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Polybutene~22–34%
Polydecene~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Petrolatum~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
More about PetrolatumBis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from its surface
More about Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2Octyldodecanol~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolMicrocrystalline wax~1.9–2.8%
Cera microcristallina~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency
More about Cera microcristallinaTocopheryl acetate~1.1–1.7%
- 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 acetateSalvia sclarea extract~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Salvia sclarea extractBetula alba bark extract~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Has astringent properties. Creates a tightening and drying effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about Betula alba bark extractTriticum vulgare germ extract~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that might have moisturizing properties. Avoid if you suffer from wheat or gluten intolerance
More about Triticum vulgare germ extractAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.5–1.15%
- 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 extractHordeum vulgare extract~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Avoid if you are sensitive to gluten
More about Hordeum vulgare extractCholesterol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolPolyglyceryl-2 triisostearate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Polyglyceryl-2 triisostearateGlycine soja oil~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
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 oilTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateLinoleic acid~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidSqualane~0.35–0.8%
- 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 SqualaneStearyl glycyrrhetinate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
More about Stearyl glycyrrhetinateCaprylyl glycol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHexylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolPotassium sulfate~0.15–0.6%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTitanium dioxide~0.2–0.8%
- 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 dioxideCi 77891~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 15850~0.15–0.55%
Iron oxides~0.15–0.55%
- 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 oxidesCi 19140~0.15–0.55%
Ci 45410~0.15–0.5%
Ci 45380~0.15–0.5%
Ci 17200~0.1–0.5%
Ci 73360~0.1–0.45%
Ci 75470~0.1–0.4%
Ci 17200~0.1–0.4%
Ci 45410~0.1–0.3%
Mica~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaCi 15850~0.05–0.2%
Blue 1 lake~0.05–0.15%
Ci 42090~0.05–0.15%
Ci 19140~0.01–0.05%
Ci 15985~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Polybutene, Polydecene, Petrolatum, Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline wax, Cera microcristallina, Tocopheryl acetate, Salvia sclarea extract, Betula alba bark extract, Triticum vulgare germ extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Hordeum vulgare extract, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate, Glycine soja oil, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Linoleic acid, Squalane, Stearyl glycyrrhetinate, Caprylyl glycol, Hexylene glycol, Potassium sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Ci 15850, Iron oxides, Ci 19140, Ci 45410, Ci 45380, Ci 17200, Ci 73360, Ci 75470, Ci 17200, Ci 45410, Mica, Ci 15850, Blue 1 lake, Ci 42090, Ci 19140, Ci 15985
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Clinique - Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss" works well for moisturizing the skin. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (petrolatum, cholesterol, glycine soja oil, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2 and cera microcristallina) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- Another helpful ingredient in this moisturizer is Linoleic Acid. It is one of the fatty acids naturally present in skin. It is part of the skin barrier. Preliminary research shows that it might be able to reduce clogged pores.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 137.15CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Wheat in skin caremdedge.com
- 4Celiac Disease & Skin Care Productsbadgut.org
- 5
- 6
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