HONEY Cleansing Balm Clear

HONEY Cleansing Balm Clear

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate, Carbomer + 1 more
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Buy Vicrea honey Cleansing Balm Clear , Japanese Skincare”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Peg-20 glyceryl triisostearateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~4–6%
CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.15–0.65%
Zea mays oilEffect: HighA good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function~0.15–0.65%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
7 strong irritants: Citrus limon juice, Citrus limon peel oil + 5 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
PapainAn enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritatingHigh~1.1–1.6%est.
Citrus limon juice—High~0.45–1%est.
Citrus limon peel oilA highly irritating fragranceHigh~0.4–0.95%est.
Citrus grandis fruit extract—High~0.35–0.8%est.
Citrus aurantifolia juice—High~0.4–0.95%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis juice—High~0.3–0.75%est.
Retinyl palmitateThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effectHigh~0.2–0.7%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
Peg-20 glyceryl triisostearateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~4–6%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~4.6–6.9%est.
Argania spinosa kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~0.95–1.45%est.
Malus domestica fruit extractHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateA vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)Medium~0.3–0.75%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~0.2–0.7%est.
1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.2–0.7%est.
Comedogenic
3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
3 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
Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture3/5~22–33%est.
Zea mays oilA good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function3/5~0.15–0.65%est.
AlginUsed to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin3/5~0.1–0.45%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Ethylhexyl palmitate~22–33%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Ethylhexyl palmitate
Peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate~4–6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~4.6–6.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
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

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Dimer
Not recognized
Dilinoleic acid~3.7–5.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing
More about Dilinoleic acid
Hydrogenated castor oil isostearate~2.6–3.9%
Formula
Synthetic wax~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations and thicken product consistency

More about Synthetic wax
Helianthus annuus seed wax~1.6–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency

More about Helianthus annuus seed wax
Honey~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAntibacterial

Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen

More about Honey
Papain~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Exfoliation

An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating

More about Papain
Argania spinosa kernel oil~0.95–1.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties

More about Argania spinosa kernel oil
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.55–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin

More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid
Citrus limon juice~0.45–1%
Irritant · high
Citrus limon peel oil~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A highly irritating fragrance

More about Citrus limon peel oil
Malus domestica fruit extract~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Malus domestica fruit extract
Citrus grandis fruit extract~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Citrus aurantifolia juice~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Exfoliation
More about Citrus aurantifolia juice
Arachis hypogaea fruit extract~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Citrus aurantium dulcis juice~0.3–0.75%
Irritant · high
Tocopherol~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-inflammatory

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 Tocopherol
Panthenol~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Retinyl palmitate~0.2–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-blemishAnti-agingExfoliation

Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect

More about Retinyl palmitate
Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate~0.3–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin toneMoisturizing

A vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)

More about Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate
Tocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.7%
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
Zea mays oil~0.15–0.65%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function

More about Zea mays oil
Microcrystalline wax~0.2–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Microcrystalline wax
Phytosteryl isostearyl dimer dilinoleate~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Water~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Carbomer~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
1,2-hexanediol~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Na
Not recognized
Algin~0.1–0.45%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Algin
Butylene glycol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Parfum~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Ethylhexyl palmitate, Peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Unknown, Dilinoleic acid, Hydrogenated castor oil isostearate, Synthetic wax, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Honey, Papain, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Citrus limon juice, Citrus limon peel oil, Malus domestica fruit extract, Citrus grandis fruit extract, Citrus aurantifolia juice, Arachis hypogaea fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis juice, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Retinyl palmitate, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Zea mays oil, Microcrystalline wax, Phytosteryl isostearyl dimer dilinoleate, Water, Carbomer, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Unknown, Algin, Butylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/14 09:18 GMT
$41.85
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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
HONEYCleansing Balm ClearYOUR PRODUCTViCREA&honey Sakura Cleansing Balm Clear Limited EditionISDINEssential CleansingEyenlipPH Cica Cleansing Oil
Match—21%20%20%
Price$41.85$40.19−$1.66$34.28−$7.57—
Shared key ingredients—10 of 123 of 123 of 12
Key difference—Peg-10 IsostearateSunflower Seed OilMadecassic Acid
Irritancy High High Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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