PRODUCT REVIEW

Holika Holika Mechnikov's Probiotics Formula Balancing Emulsion

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Moisturizing
Anti-aging
Evens skin tone
Anti-blemish
Exfoliation

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Niacinamide 2% - 2.4%Lactobacillus ferment 0.5% - 0.7%

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Product summary

Judging from the ingredient list, "Holika Holika - Mechnikov's Probiotics Formula Balancing Emulsion" works well for improving skin hydration This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Humectants in this product (alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, betaine and diglycerin) 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 (limnanthes alba seed oil, arginine, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone and cetearyl alcohol) 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

We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (2.00% - 2.40%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
Adenosine 0.15% - 0.30%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: dipotassium glycyrrhizate, lecithin and stearic acid

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. 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 for 34.70$ in the United States.

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What can the product work for?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

A moisturizing emulsion helps control skin s oil and moisture balance in a yogurt-like light texture.

Source: Yesstyle

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: alanine, arginine.

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, caprylic/capric triglyceride.

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

threonine 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

betaine 0.6% - 0.85%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

sodium pca 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

Anti-blemish

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

niacinamide 2% - 2.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

Anti-aging

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

These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: aspartic acid, serine, threonine.

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.

niacinamide 2% - 2.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

adenosine 0.15% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)

aspartic acid 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

An amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles

Evens skin tone

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroxyethyl urea, niacinamide

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: alanine.

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.

niacinamide 2% - 2.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

alanine 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking

dipotassium glycyrrhizate 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening

Exfoliation

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: hydroxyethyl urea.

hydroxyethyl urea 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A derivative of urea, a compound that is naturally present in skin. Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients

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Can it cause trouble?

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

niacinamide 2% - 2.4%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-blemish, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Reduces irritation, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Reduces redness

lactobacillus ferment 0.5% - 0.7%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidation, Reduces irritation

A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative

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Potential irritants

polymnia sonchifolia root juice 0.45% - 0.65%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties

cynara scolymus leaf extract 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be irritating

Comodogenic ingredients

cetearyl alcohol 1.5% - 1.9%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Cleansing, Moisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

hydrogenated vegetable oil 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Moisturizing

An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

caprylic/capric triglyceride 5.8% - 7.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

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

glycerin 4.2% - 5.1%

Irritation risk:

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

Ingredient list view

Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Octyldodecyl myristate, Niacinamide, 1,2-hexanediol, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Limnanthes alba seed oil, Butylene glycol, Betaine, Bifida ferment filtrate, Lactobacillus ferment, Lactococcus ferment, Streptococcus thermophilus ferment, Polymnia sonchifolia root juice, Yeast ferment extract, Lactobacillus/soybean ferment extract, Cynara scolymus leaf extract, Arctium lappa root extract, Xylitol, Trehalose, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Peg-100 stearate, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Stearic acid, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Palmitic acid, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Sodium pca, Sodium lactate, Arginine, Hydroxyethyl urea, Aspartic acid, Pca, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl acetate, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium edta, Parfum

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Price
WIMJ similarity score		86%	86%	86%	85%	84%	83%	82%	82%	81%	81%	80%
Key ingredients	niacinamide adenosine +21 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +13 more Other: panthenol ceramide np +10 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +13 more Other: panthenol ceramide np +10 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +13 more Other: palmitoyl tripeptide-5 cysteine +7 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +12 more Other: ceramide np centella asiatica extract +6 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +11 more Other: copper tripeptide-1 ceramide np +15 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +5 more Other: panthenol acetyl glucosamine +6 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +7 more Other: allantoin betaine salicylate +8 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +3 more Other: copper tripeptide-1 madecassoside +8 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +10 more Other: phytosphingosine beta-glucan +9 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +8 more Other: anhydroxylitol panthenol +11 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +4 more Other: sh-octapeptide-4 sh-decapeptide-7 +10 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	parfum Has skin benefit? arctium lappa root extract Has skin benefit? +10 more	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? myristyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +13 more	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? myristyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +13 more	lavandula angustifolia oil Has skin benefit? chamomilla recutita flower extract Has skin benefit? +8 more	myristic acid Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +6 more	taurine Has skin benefit? sea salt Has skin benefit? +14 more	disodium edta Has skin benefit? sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer Has skin benefit? +5 more	hippophae rhamnoides oil Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +7 more	cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract Has skin benefit? arctium lappa root extract Has skin benefit? +9 more	salvia miltiorrhiza root extract Has skin benefit? c12-16 alcohols Has skin benefit? +11 more	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +15 more	caprylyl glycol Has skin benefit? pentylene glycol Has skin benefit? +6 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +53 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +69 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +69 more	collagen extract Has skin benefit? diglycerin Has skin benefit? +54 more	water Has skin benefit? butylene glycol Has skin benefit? +43 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +76 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +32 more	water Has skin benefit? dipropylene glycol Has skin benefit? +30 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +31 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +55 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +47 more	water Has skin benefit? butylene glycol Has skin benefit? +33 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Holika Holika Mechnikov's Probiotics Formula Balancing Emulsion

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-blemish

Anti-aging

Evens skin tone

Exfoliation

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources