Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Key actives
Product Summary
"Holika Holika - Less On Skin Redness Calming CICA Balm" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Holika Holika - Less On Skin Redness Calming CICA Balm ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, betaine, glycerin 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 (helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables, helianthus annuus seed oil, cetearyl alcohol, olea europaea fruit oil and moringa oleifera seed oil) 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
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.30% - 1.90%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. 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 28.95£ up to 31.85£ in the United Kingdom and for 14.15$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Also enriched with Panthenol, the formula plumps the skin with moisture, revealing a radiant and supple complexion.
Source: Mankind
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:
betaine, glycerin.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
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
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
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.
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
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
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Enriched with Glycerin, the formula helps to support the skin’s natural regeneration processes, rebuilding and reinforcing the barriers to fill out the appearance of fine lines while smoothing the surface.
Source: Mankind
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
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.
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
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Supercharged with anti-inflammatory power, this innovative formula calms irritation and reduces redness, clarifying the complexion to reveal a more even tone and texture.
Source: Mankind
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 50/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Holika Holika Less On Skin Redness Calming CICA Balm | Current | $14.15 | |
 BANOBAGI Milk Thistle Repair Lotion | 56% | $21.42 | |
PYUNKANG YUL Calming Moisture Repair Balm | 55% | $12.25 | |
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face and Body Daily Moisturizing Cream | 55% | $9.97 | |
 12 GRABS Olibetaine Rich Hyaluron Moist Cream | 55% | $19.80 | |
 preange Vit B5 Emulsion | 55% | $26.30 |
Key Actives
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.
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
Potential irritants
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties but evidence is missing
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
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.
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
Comedogenic ingredients
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
All ingredients
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
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.
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties but evidence is missing
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
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
Used to thicked product formulations. Might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Olea europaea fruit oil, 1,2-hexanediol, Cetearyl alcohol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Panthenol, Betaine, Ethylhexyl olivate, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 oleate, Cetearyl glucoside, Centella asiatica extract, Octyldodecanol, Echium plantagineum seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables, Cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract, Tocopherol, Butylene glycol, Mineral salts, Magnesium sulfate, Eclipta prostrata extract, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Biosaccharide gum-4, Cellulose, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oil
- The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
- Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care
- Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egypt
- Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
- Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Acrylates Copolymer and 33 Related Cosmetic Ingredients
- Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Titrated Extract of Centella asiatica in Phthalic Anhydride-Induced Allergic Dermatitis Animal Model
- Centella asiatica in cosmetology
- Triterpene Composition and Bioactivities of Centella asiatica
- Asiaticoside induction for cell-cycle progression, proliferation and collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts
- Assessment report on Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, herba
- Contact dermatitis due to Madecassol
- The Effects of a Standardized Extract of Centella asiatica on Postlaser Resurfacing Wound Healing on the Face: A Split-Face, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Healing fats of the skin: the structural and immunologic roles of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
- Evidence for the efficacy and safety of topical herbal drugs in dermatology: Part I: Anti-inflammatory agents
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Safety Assessment of Magnesium Sulfate as Used in Cosmetics
- Potent Antioxidative and UVB Protective Effect of Water Extract of Eclipta prostrata L.
- Melia azedarach
- Preliminary and Pharmacological Profile of Melia azedarach L.: An Overview
- Moringa oleifera seed oil: Composition, nutritional aspects and health attributes
- Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Health
- Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmetics
- Profile of wound healing process induced by allantoin