COSRX Balancium Ceramide Hand Cream Intensive
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Moisturizing20 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Hydrates the skin while helping to restore its protective barrier .”
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:
betaine, glycerin.
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: cera alba, helianthus annuus seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ap, ceramide as, ceramide eop, ceramide np, ceramide ns, panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Limonene, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil + 2 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~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6.3–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 glycolGlycerin~3.9–4.7%
- 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 GlycerinHelianthus annuus seed oil~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 oilCetyl ethylhexanoate~2.3–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateCetearyl alcohol~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCetearyl olivate~1.6–2%
Sorbitan olivate~1.4–1.7%
1,2-hexanediol~0.7–1.05%
Elaeis guineensis oil~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Elaeis guineensis oilBetaine~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineElaeis guineensis kernel oil~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Elaeis guineensis kernel oilButyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
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 butterHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerCera alba~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about Cera albaCyclohexasiloxane~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.65%
Panthenol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerLimonene~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumLinalool~0.2–0.35%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCeramide np~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npDipropylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolHydroxypropyl bislauramide mea~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrogenated lecithin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinCitral~0.15–0.3%
Glyceryl stearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCeramide ns~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide nsCeramide as~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide asCeramide ap~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide apCholesterol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolCeramide eop~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eopIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, 1,2-hexanediol, Elaeis guineensis oil, Betaine, Elaeis guineensis kernel oil, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Cera alba, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Limonene, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Xanthan gum, Linalool, Sodium hyaluronate, Ceramide np, Dipropylene glycol, Hydroxypropyl bislauramide mea, Hydrogenated lecithin, Citral, Glyceryl stearate, Ceramide ns, Ceramide as, Ceramide ap, Cholesterol, Ceramide eop
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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.
| COSRXBalancium Ceramide Hand Cream IntensiveYOUR PRODUCT | treecellDelight Eleven Hand Cream | ROUND LABBirch Juice Hand Cream 30ml | D’youIn my defence moisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 66% | 61% | 59% |
| Price | $12.00 | $14.00+$2.00 | $10.51−$1.49 | $55.00+$43.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 13 | 9 of 13 | 10 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Phytosphingosine | Adenosine | Phytosphingosine |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "COSRX - Balancium Ceramide Hand Cream Intensive" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. COSRX - Balancium Ceramide Hand Cream Intensive ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, betaine, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and butylene glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Ceramide eop, ceramide np, ceramide ns, cholesterol and beeswax in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide as 0.15% - 0.25%, ceramide ap 0.10% - 0.20%, ceramide ns 0.20% - 0.35%, ceramide np 0.25% - 0.50% and ceramide eop 0.15% - 0.25%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "COSRX" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 9.95A$ up to 21.00A$ in Australia, for 16.30$ in the United States, from 11.76£ up to 14.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 20.60CA$ 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 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6
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