Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Anti-aging
- Moisturizing
- Anti-blemish
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
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.
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
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.
Source: Lookfantastic US
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.
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
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Reveal a smooth, even complexion and dewy luminosity.
Source: Lookfantastic US
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.
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
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm
Source: From product name
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Anti-blemish
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
Averages from community submissions.
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 ELEMIS Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm | Current | $39.99 | |
Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting & Brightening Moisturizer | 87% | $26.00 | |
Olay Vitamin C & Peptide 24 Advanced Moisturizer | 87% | $48.49 | |
 Ultraceuticals Even skin tone smoothing moisturiser | 87% | $95.00 | |
 Crystal Clear Superboosters - Radiance Enhance | 86% | $49.99 | |
Optimum Vitamin C Moisturiser | 85% | $14.99 |
Key Actives
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
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
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
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
Potential irritants
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Used as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
An essential oil with a lemon-like smell that is extracted from a fruit grown in Asia. Used as a fragrance
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
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.
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
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
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
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
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
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.
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Used as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
An essential oil with a lemon-like smell that is extracted from a fruit grown in Asia. Used as a fragrance
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
Ingredient list view
Water, Octyldodecanol, Propylene glycol, Oryza sativa starch, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan stearate, Mica, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Bisabolol, Parfum, Pullulan, Limonene, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Polyacrylamide, Sodium hydroxide, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Methylpropanediol, C13-14 isoparaffin, Laureth-7, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Lecithin, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Linalool, Moringa pterygosperma seed extract, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Citrus nobilis oil, Dipropylene glycol, Benzyl alcohol, Disodium phosphate, Litsea cubeba fruit oil, Orchis mascula extract, Citral, Caramel, Citric acid, Benzyl salicylate, Lonicera caprifolium flower extract, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Morinda citrifolia fruit extract, Geraniol, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Euterpe oleracea fruit extract, Citrus aurantifolia oil, Potassium sorbate, Bixa orellana seed extract, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Potassium hydroxide, Sorbic acid, Salvia sclarea oil, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- α-(-)-Bisabolol Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Ameliorates Skin Inflammation
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmetics
- Antioxidant Ability and Stability Studies of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a Cosmetic Tyrosinase Inhibitor
- Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmetics
- Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europe
- Air oxidation increases skin irritation from fragrance terpenes
- Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europe
- Ethnopharmacological Properties and Medicinal Uses of Litsea cubeba
- VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS FROM THE FLOWERS OF TWO SPECIES OF HONEYSUCKLE ( LONICERA JAPONICA AND LONICERA CAPRIFOLIUM )
- Chemical composition of the essential oils from the flower, leaf and stem of Lonicera japonica
- Annex I: Clinical evidence regarding sensitisation to individual fragrance chemicals and to natural extracts
- 4 Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
- Total Oxidant Scavenging Capacity of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Açaí) Seeds and Identification of Their Polyphenolic Compounds
- Euterpe oleracea, Matricaria chamomilla, and Camellia sinensis as promising ingredients for development of skin care formulations
- Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils