Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 5 moreWorks well
“Smooth on a few drops of the hydrating Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm (50ml) and feel the benefits immediately.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, propylene glycol.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateWorks well
“Formulated with a powerful Vitamin complex that protects against moisture loss, whilst Purple Orchid, Noni and Acai help to defend against the early signs of skin ageing.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateWorks well
“Reveal a smooth, even complexion and dewy luminosity.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy16 strong irritants: Parfum, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil + 14 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Octyldodecanol~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolPropylene glycol~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolOryza sativa starch~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~2.4–2.9%
- 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 60~1.9–2.3%
Sorbitan stearate~1.6–2%
Mica~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaNiacinamide~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCarbomer~0.7–1.05%
- 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 CarbomerBisabolol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololPullulan~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.55–0.8%
Polyacrylamide~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideTocopheryl acetate~0.5–0.75%
- 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 acetateParfum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumMethylpropanediol~0.45–0.7%
C13-14 isoparaffin~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinLaureth-7~0.4–0.65%
Citrus aurantium dulcis oil~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis oilLecithin~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinMagnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateCitrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.3–0.55%
- 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 oilMoringa pterygosperma seed extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Moringa pterygosperma seed extractCitrus nobilis oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Dipropylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolSodium hydroxide~0.3–0.6%
Disodium phosphate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphateLitsea cubeba fruit oil~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil with a lemon-like smell that is extracted from a fruit grown in Asia. Used as a fragrance
More about Litsea cubeba fruit oilCaramel~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Orchis mascula extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alcohol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholXanthan gum~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitric acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidMorinda citrifolia fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus limon peel oil~0.3–0.55%
Bixa orellana seed extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium hydroxide~0.3–0.6%
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Benzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Euterpe oleracea fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Euterpe oleracea fruit extractCitrus aurantifolia oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Dehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.5%
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.5%
Sorbic acid~0.25–0.4%
Polyaminopropyl biguanide~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. There seem to be an increasing number of cases of allergic reactions to it
More about Polyaminopropyl biguanideSalvia sclarea oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus aurantium amara flower oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium amara flower oilLimonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.15–0.25%
Citral~0.15–0.25%
Benzyl salicylate~0.1–0.15%
Geraniol~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Octyldodecanol, Propylene glycol, Oryza sativa starch, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan stearate, Mica, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Bisabolol, Pullulan, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl acetate, Parfum, Methylpropanediol, C13-14 isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Lecithin, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Moringa pterygosperma seed extract, Citrus nobilis oil, Dipropylene glycol, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium phosphate, Litsea cubeba fruit oil, Caramel, Orchis mascula extract, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Morinda citrifolia fruit extract, Citrus limon peel oil, Bixa orellana seed extract, Potassium hydroxide, Potassium sorbate, Benzoic acid, Euterpe oleracea fruit extract, Citrus aurantifolia oil, Dehydroacetic acid, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbic acid, Polyaminopropyl biguanide, Salvia sclarea oil, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Benzyl salicylate, Geraniol
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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.
| ELEMISPro-Radiance Illuminating Flash BalmYOUR PRODUCT | A-DERMAExomega Control Emollient Balm | BiodermaATODERM PP BALM | La Roche-PosayBaby Lipikar Balm Ap+M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 95% | 95% | 95% |
| Price | — | $35.66 | $34.31 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Mineral Oil | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: HYGGEE Relief Chamomile Treatment BalmMary Kay Timewise Antioxidant Moisturizer
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "ELEMIS - Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm" works well for moisturizing the skin. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. ELEMIS - Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm ticks this box. Glycerin in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (c13-14 isoparaffin and octyldodecanol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "ELEMIS" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 42.00$ up to 60.00$ in the United States, from 81.00CA$ up to 84.00CA$ in Canada, for 68.42A$ in Australia and from 39.99£ up to 43.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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