Heel Balm

Name: Flexitol - Heel Balm
Brand: Flexitol

Efficacy 100/100·Medium irritancy

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 3 of 3 advertised claims delivered

"Flexitol - Heel Balm" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing, Exfoliation and Anti-agingIngredient calloutsThis product contains acids (glycolic acid 0.90% - 1.10%).

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Product summary

"Flexitol - Heel Balm" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing, Exfoliation and Anti-aging

Ingredient callouts

This product contains acids (glycolic acid 0.90% - 1.10%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.75% - 1.10%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.

Price

The product retails from 4.07£ up to 9.69£ in the United Kingdom and at around 13.74$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

7 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong evidence

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: arginine, sodium pca.

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: arginine, butyrospermum parkii butter.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: lanolin, panthenol, paraffinum liquidum, urea

PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUMRole: HeroMineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function~3–3.6%

PANTHENOLRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.75–1.1%

UREARole: Key activeNaturally 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~9.5–11.6%

LANOLINRole: Key activeSebum of wool-bearing animals (most commonly sheep). Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce the skin water loss. In rare cases could be an allergen. Not suitable for vegans~4.3–5.3%

BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTERRole: Key activeA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~1.2–1.5%

SODIUM PCARole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~1.3–1.6%

ARGININERole: Key activeAn 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~0.45–0.65%

Exfoliation

GLYCOLIC ACID at ~0.9–1.1% + 1 more curated active

Strong evidence

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: glycolic acid.

GLYCOLIC ACIDRole: Key activeAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~0.9–1.1%

LanolinRole: Key activeSebum of wool-bearing animals (most commonly sheep). Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce the skin water loss. In rare cases could be an allergen. Not suitable for vegans~4.3–5.3%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~3.1–3.8%

Paraffinum liquidumRole: Key activeMineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function~3–3.6%

Decyl oleateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~2.2–2.7%

Sodium pcaRole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~1.3–1.6%

Butyrospermum parkii butterRole: Key activeA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~1.2–1.5%

PanthenolRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.75–1.1%

ArginineRole: Key activeAn 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~0.45–0.65%

Anti-aging

GLYCOLIC ACID at ~0.9–1.1% + 1 more curated active

Strong evidence

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.

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.

UreaRole: Key activeNaturally 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~9.5–11.6%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~3.1–3.8%

Decyl oleateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~2.2–2.7%

Sodium pcaRole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~1.3–1.6%

PanthenolRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.75–1.1%

ArginineRole: Key activeAn 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~0.45–0.65%

Evens skin tone

GLYCOLIC ACID at ~0.9–1.1% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid

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.

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~3.1–3.8%

Decyl oleateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~2.2–2.7%

Sodium pcaRole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~1.3–1.6%

PanthenolRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.75–1.1%

ArginineRole: Key activeAn 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~0.45–0.65%

Irritancy

6 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 6 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Glycolic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acidHigh~0.9–1.1%est.

Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–0.75%est.

Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.4–0.6%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.25–0.5%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Low~0.6–0.9%est.

Aloe barbadensis extractTraditionally 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 skinLow~0.45–0.65%est.

Comedogenic

3 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin

High risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicalsHigh~1.2–1.5%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product textureMed~3.1–3.8%est.

Decyl oleateHelps soften the upper layer of the skinMed~2.2–2.7%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels