Earth Therapeutics Intensive Heel Repair Balm
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingUrea, Arginine hcl + 11 moreStrong evidence
“This intensive herbal conditioning therapy is specially formulated to moisturize, soothe, and protect dry, cracked and callused heels.”
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:
urea, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, isopropyl myristate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Mentha piperita oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Stearic acid~6.7–10%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidIsopropyl palmitate~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateCetyl alcohol~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholAloe barbadensis leaf juice~2.1–3.1%
- 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 juiceIsopropyl myristate~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateTheobroma cacao seed butter~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterXanthan gum~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilMentha piperita oil~0.55–1.3%
Triethanolamine~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolaminePolysorbate 80~0.4–0.9%
Carbomer~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerLavandula angustifolia oil~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilArginine hcl~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about Arginine hclHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.15–0.7%
- 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 oilLactic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidUrea~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaOlea europaea fruit oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.45%
- 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 acetateZea mays oil~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
More about Zea mays oilRetinyl palmitate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateCholecalciferol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Allantoin~0.05–0.25%
- 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 AllantoinButylparaben~0.05–0.15%
Methylparaben~0.05–0.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPropylparaben~0.05–0.1%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Stearic acid, Isopropyl palmitate, Cetyl alcohol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Isopropyl myristate, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Xanthan gum, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Mentha piperita oil, Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Arginine hcl, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Lactic acid, Urea, Olea europaea fruit oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Zea mays oil, Retinyl palmitate, Cholecalciferol, Allantoin, Butylparaben, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Potassium sorbate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
.png)
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.
| Earth TherapeuticsIntensive Heel Repair BalmYOUR PRODUCT | EucerinUreaRepair Plus 10% Urea Foot Cream | Grahams NaturalDiabetic Foot Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 50% |
| Price | $8.40 | $8.90+$0.50 | $26.72+$18.32 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 7 | 2 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Betaine |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Earth Therapeutics - Intensive Heel Repair Balm" can work well for skin moisturization. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Urea, arginine and aloe barbadensis leaf juice in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Isopropyl myristate, theobroma cacao seed butter, arginine, helianthus annuus seed oil and cetyl alcohol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.15% - 0.30%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 12.00$ in the United States.
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.
- 1Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.