Erno Laszlo Phormula 3-9 Repair Balm
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing15 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Suitable for all skin types, it creates a dome around the skin to improve oxygenation and reverse the signs of dehydration.”
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:
glycerin, saccharomyces lysate extract.
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 microcristallina, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, petrolatum
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“Enriched with tamanu oil to soothe irritation and inflammation, it also contains glycosaminoglycans which promote collagen production to improve smoothness and elasticity.”
This product contains palmitoyl pentapeptide-4. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Calophyllum tacamahaca seed oilMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Petrolatum~4.9–6%
- 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 PetrolatumCyclopentasiloxane~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneDromiceius oil~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone crosspolymer~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerSorbitol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolCetearyl alcohol~1.6–2%
- 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 alcoholCera microcristallina~1.5–1.8%
- 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~1.1–1.4%
- 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 acetateHydrogenated polyisobutene~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneDimethicone~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePanthenyl ethyl ether~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about Panthenyl ethyl etherPeg-40 castor oil~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 castor oilPolysorbate 60~0.5–0.75%
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateTaraktogenos kurzii seed oil~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.45–0.65%
- 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 phosphateBrassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Calophyllum tacamahaca seed oil~0.4–0.6%
Glycerin~0.4–0.6%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 glycolAllantoin~0.25–0.45%
- 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 AllantoinPolysorbate 20~0.3–0.5%
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4Sodium dehydroacetate~0.2–0.4%
Glycosaminoglycans~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Long sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlycosaminoglycansSaccharomyces lysate extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can have some anti-inflammatory effect
More about Saccharomyces lysate extractPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethylparaben~0.1–0.15%
Propylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Isopropylparaben~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Isobutylparaben~0.05–0.1%
Butylparaben~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Petrolatum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dromiceius oil, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Cetearyl alcohol, Cera microcristallina, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Panthenyl ethyl ether, Peg-40 castor oil, Polysorbate 60, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Taraktogenos kurzii seed oil, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Brassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer, Calophyllum tacamahaca seed oil, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Allantoin, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Sodium dehydroacetate, Glycosaminoglycans, Saccharomyces lysate extract, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben
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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.
| Erno LaszloPhormula 3-9 Repair BalmYOUR PRODUCT | CHUDAHealing Hydrating Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% |
| Price | $135.00 | $80.00−$55.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Anhydroxylitol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
"Erno Laszlo - Phormula 3-9 Repair Balm" has a good moisturizing formula. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Erno Laszlo - Phormula 3-9 Repair Balm ticks this box. Glycerin, saccharomyces lysate extract, butylene glycol and sorbitol 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). Petrolatum, glycosaminoglycans, cera microcristallina, dimethicone and cetearyl 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
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 0.25% - 0.45%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the 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 from 135.00$ up to 270.00$ in the United States, from 283.50CA$ up to 518.50CA$ in Canada and from 159.99£ up to 270.00£ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 6
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