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GEHWOL Softening Balm
GEHWOL

GEHWOL Softening Balm

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Urea, Persea gratissima oil + 10 more
Works well
What the product description says
“The skin moisture is intensively increased.”
Source: Feelunique

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, sodium hyaluronate.

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: persea gratissima oil, cetyl alcohol.

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

UreaHeroEffect: HighNaturally 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~9.2–11.2%
Persea gratissima oilKey activeEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function~4.3–5.2%
GlycerinKey activeEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3–3.7%
Cetyl alcoholKey activeEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~1.3–1.6%
MelKey activeEffect: MediumHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and attract water to it~0.6–0.9%
Sodium hyaluronateKey activeEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.55–0.8%
Hydrolyzed milk proteinKey activeEffect: Medium~0.5–0.7%
Isopropyl palmitateEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency~1.8–2.2%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~1.6–2%
OctyldodecanolEffect: LowAn emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation~1.4–1.8%
Caprylyl glycolEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.1–0.15%
Myristyl myristateUnder-dosedAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic~0.95–1.15%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Farnesol, Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 12 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
FarnesolAdded to create a nice product smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
Persea gratissima oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier functionMedium~4.3–5.2%est.
Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~2.2–2.7%est.
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~1.8–2.2%est.
Myristyl myristateAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenicMedium~0.95–1.15%est.
Triethyl citrateUsed as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritationMedium~0.6–0.9%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.Medium~0.45–0.7%est.
Caprylhydroxamic acidA preservativeMedium~0.25–0.45%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.4%est.
MethylpropanediolHelps dissolve other ingredients in a formulationMedium~0.15–0.3%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.1–0.15%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency3/5~1.8–2.2%est.
Myristyl myristateAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic3/5~0.95–1.15%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Urea~9.2–11.2%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingExfoliation

Naturally 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

More about Urea
Persea gratissima oil~4.3–5.2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function

More about Persea gratissima oil
Glycerin~3–3.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate~2.2–2.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate
Isopropyl palmitate~1.8–2.2%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency

More about Isopropyl palmitate
Glyceryl stearate~1.6–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Octyldodecanol~1.4–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation

More about Octyldodecanol
Cetyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Ppg-3 benzyl ether myristate~1.2–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ppg-3 benzyl ether myristate
Myristyl myristate~0.95–1.15%
Under-dosedComedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic

More about Myristyl myristate
Triethyl citrate~0.6–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritation

More about Triethyl citrate
Mel~0.6–0.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and attract water to it

More about Mel
Sodium hyaluronate~0.55–0.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed milk protein~0.5–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing
More about Hydrolyzed milk protein
Tocopheryl acetate~0.45–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Farnesol~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Added to create a nice product smell. Can be irritating

More about Farnesol
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Caprylhydroxamic acid
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Methylpropanediol~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about Methylpropanediol
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Methylparaben~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Ethylparaben~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Ethylparaben
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Parfum~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Urea, Persea gratissima oil, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Isopropyl palmitate, Glyceryl stearate, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl alcohol, Ppg-3 benzyl ether myristate, Myristyl myristate, Triethyl citrate, Mel, Sodium hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed milk protein, Tocopheryl acetate, Xanthan gum, Farnesol, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylpropanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
GEHWOLSoftening BalmYOUR PRODUCTMuradHydro-Dynamicreg; Ultimate MoistureApothedermStretch Mark CreamMecca CosmeticaHydrating Moisturiser
Match—49%48%46%
Price—$39.68——
Shared key ingredients—5 of 53 of 54 of 5
Key difference—Retinyl PalmitatePanthenolButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Irritancy Medium Medium Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Topical urea in skincare: A reviewpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
  4. 4
    Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts and Alkyl Citrate Esters As Used in Cosmetics cir-safety.org
  5. 5
    Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin careresearchgate.net
GEHWOL Softening Balm
GEHWOLSoftening Balm
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.