Etude House SoonJung Cica Balm-Panthensoside 5
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing17 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Panthenol, a skin-benefitting compound closely related to Vitamin B5, delivers deep hydration while madecassoside, derived from Centella asiatica, repairs skin damage.”
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:
panthenol, glucose.
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: squalane, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: madecassoside, panthenol
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimLimited support
“Packed with 70% green tangerine extract, this surprisingly gentle vitamin C serum will help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation while still hydrating and soothing the skin.”
This product contains ingredients (madecassoside) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (asiaticoside, madecassoside) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains asiaticoside, madecassoside. These ingredients 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?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propanediol~4.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPanthenol~3.2–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolCetearyl alcohol~2.1–3.1%
- 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 alcohol1,2-hexanediol~1–1.6%
Squalane~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneCetyl ethylhexanoate~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateDiisostearyl malate~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisostearyl malateGlyceryl stearate citrate~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.6–1.35%
- 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 copolymerAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerGlyceryl stearate~0.4–0.9%
- 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 stearateTromethamine~0.2–0.7%
Cetearyl glucoside~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideHydrogenated lecithin~0.15–0.65%
- 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 lecithinPolyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearateGlyceryl caprylate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.6%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.55%
Butylene glycol~0.1–0.45%
- 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 glycolSorbitan isostearate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateMadecassoside~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulations
More about MadecassosideAsiaticoside~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid), asiaticoside has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about AsiaticosideMadecassic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and asiatic acid), madecassic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Madecassic acidAsiatic acid~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and madecassic acid) asiatic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Asiatic acidGlucose~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseCentella asiatica flower/leaf/stem extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica flower/leaf/stem extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractTocopherol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about TocopherolIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Panthenol, Cetearyl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, Squalane, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Diisostearyl malate, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Glyceryl stearate, Tromethamine, Cetearyl glucoside, Hydrogenated lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Glyceryl caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Butylene glycol, Sorbitan isostearate, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Madecassic acid, Asiatic acid, Glucose, Centella asiatica flower/leaf/stem extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Tocopherol
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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.
| Etude HouseSoonJung Cica Balm-Panthensoside 5YOUR PRODUCT | PURITOMighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream 100ml | AESTURAA-Cica Stress Relief Cream Essence | Purito SEOULB5 Panthenol Re-Barrier Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 63% | 63% | 61% |
| Price | $14.11 | $28.42+$14.31 | $18.80+$4.69 | $17.65+$3.54 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 6 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Beta-Glucan | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Etude House - SoonJung Cica Balm-Panthensoside 5" has a good moisturizing formula. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (panthenol, glucose 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). Emollients in this formulation (squalane, cetearyl alcohol, diisostearyl malate, cetyl ethylhexanoate and glyceryl caprylate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- Actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (also known as Gotu Kola) - asiatic acid 0.10% - 0.30%, madecassic acid 0.10% - 0.35%, asiaticoside 0.05% - 0.30% and madecassoside 0.10% - 0.45% The Centella Asiatica Actives, even in low concentration, can help reduce inflammation in skin, strengthen the skin barrier and reduce photodamage. They can also help to decrease scarring.
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 3.20% - 4.80%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
Price
The product retails from 24.50A$ up to 28.00A$ in Australia, from 14.11$ up to 20.00$ in the United States, for 31.99CA$ in Canada and for 13.22£ 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 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 2
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 5Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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