Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm Original
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, Copper tripeptide-1 + 16 moreStrong evidence
“Chock-full of hydrators like beta glucan, oligopeptides, and panthenol, this balm has all the good stuff to replenish and restore skin.”
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, pantolactone.
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide-1, oligopeptide-32, panthenol
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimNo evidence
“This multi-use moisture bomb handles 4 signs of trouble after a breakout it calms angry skin, smooths bumps and texture, relieves flaky dry spots, and improves the look of post-blemish marks.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Anti-blemishBeta-glucan, AllantoinWeak evidence
“Just patched (or popped) a pimple? Reach for Rescue Balm — the post-blemish solution designed to push your comeback into hyperspeed.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Copper tripeptide-1 + 4 moreModerate evidence
This product contains acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide-1, oligopeptide-32. 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?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Hydrogenated polyisobutene~5.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneDimethicone~4.2–5.1%
- 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 DimethiconeGlycerin~3–3.7%
- 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 GlycerinButyrospermum parkii butter~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A 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
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterPanthenol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPropanediol~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolButylene glycol~1.4–1.7%
- 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 glycolAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeBeta-glucan~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanOligopeptide-32~0.5–0.7%
- 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 Oligopeptide-32Oligopeptide-29~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Allantoin~0.35–0.6%
- 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 AllantoinCopper tripeptide-1~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A naturally occurring peptide. One of the most studied peptides in dermatology. It is sometimes abbreviated GHK-Cu. Belongs to the class of carrier peptides. It stimulates both synthesis and breakdown of collagen in skin. It is released in skin wounds and inflammation to support healing. It accelerates wound-healing of the skin and can stimulate hair growth. There are preliminary studies that confirm that copper tripeptide can help support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles and decrease inflammation in skin.
More about Copper tripeptide-1Tocopherol~0.35–0.65%
- 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 TocopherolSilica dimethyl silylate~0.35–0.65%
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilanePantolactone~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about PantolactoneAcetyl hexapeptide-8~0.2–0.4%
- 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 Acetyl hexapeptide-8Trihydroxystearin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture
More about TrihydroxystearinDiisostearoyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-3 oleate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 oleatePolyglyceryl-4 isostearate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 isostearatePolyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacateDisteardimonium hectorite~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteStearalkonium hectorite~0.2–0.35%
Aluminum hydroxide~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideZinc oxide~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxidePeg-10 dimethicone~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
More about Peg-10 dimethiconeMagnesium sulfate~0.2–0.35%
Propylene carbonate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateTetrasodium iminodisuccinate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.2%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.15%
Titanium dioxide~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideIngredient list view
Water, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Panthenol, Propanediol, Butylene glycol, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Beta-glucan, Oligopeptide-32, Oligopeptide-29, Allantoin, Copper tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Silica dimethyl silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Pantolactone, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Trihydroxystearin, Diisostearoyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-3 oleate, Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacate, Disteardimonium hectorite, Stearalkonium hectorite, Aluminum hydroxide, Zinc oxide, Peg-10 dimethicone, Magnesium sulfate, Propylene carbonate, Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, 1,2-hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium dioxide
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Hero Cosmetics - Rescue Balm Original" works well for moisturizing the skin. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Acetyl hexapeptide-8, panthenol, glycerin, pantolactone and butylene glycol 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). Butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone, peg-10 dimethicone and hydrogenated polyisobutene 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
- This moisturizer also contains Peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.20% - 0.40%, copper tripeptide-1 0.35% - 0.65% and oligopeptide-32 0.50% - 0.70%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that they are helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 1.90% - 2.30% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Hero Cosmetics" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 12.99$ up to 25.98$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 30 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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