IMBIBE Melting Balm Polishing Cleanser

IMBIBE Melting Balm Polishing Cleanser

Efficacy50/100IrritancyLow

Works for

Cleansing
Cera alba, Polyglyceryl-2 caprate + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Melting Balm Polishing Cleanser”
Source: IMBIBE

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cera alba, polyglyceryl-2 caprate, sorbitan olivate) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Cera albaEffect: HighForms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen~3.1–4.7%
Polyglyceryl-2 caprateEffect: High~1.8–2.7%
Sorbitan olivateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.4–1%
Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Gentle polishing effect to buff and refine”
Source: IMBIBE

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
7 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 7 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Ricinus communis seed oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyMedium~4.7–7%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~3.9–5.8%est.
Cera albaForms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergenMedium~3.1–4.7%est.
Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionMedium~1–1.5%est.
Cannabis sativa seed oilA plant oil that due to its high linoleic acid content can help strengthen skin's barrier function and soften its upper layerMedium~0.45–1.1%est.
Rosa canina fruit oilA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritatingMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~0.2–0.75%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Coco-caprylate/caprate~23–34%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture

More about Coco-caprylate/caprate
Helianthus annuus seed oil~5.6–8.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Ricinus communis seed oil~4.7–7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency

More about Ricinus communis seed oil
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~3.9–5.8%
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
Cera alba~3.1–4.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen

More about Cera alba
Polyglyceryl-2 caprate~1.8–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polyglyceryl-2 caprate
Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed
Moringa oil/hydrogenated moringa oil esters~1–1.5%
Formula
Jojoba esters~1–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function

More about Jojoba esters
Sorbitan olivate~0.4–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan olivate
Cannabis sativa seed oil~0.45–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that due to its high linoleic acid content can help strengthen skin's barrier function and soften its upper layer

More about Cannabis sativa seed oil
Rosa canina fruit oil~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating

More about Rosa canina fruit oil
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Tocopherol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

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
Ingredient list view

Coco-caprylate/caprate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Ricinus communis seed oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cera alba, Polyglyceryl-2 caprate, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Moringa oil/hydrogenated moringa oil esters, Jojoba esters, Sorbitan olivate, Cannabis sativa seed oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Tocopherol

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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
IMBIBEMelting Balm Polishing CleanserYOUR PRODUCTBlue Lagoon Skin ScienceBL+ Cleansing Balmharuharu USBlack Rice Moisture Cleansing OilCliniqueTake The Day Off™ Charcoal Cleansing Balm
Match—31%26%25%
Price—$42.53$22.00$32.40
Shared key ingredients—2 of 113 of 111 of 11
Key difference—Algae ExtractOryza Sativa Bran OilCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.

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IMBIBE Melting Balm Polishing Cleanser
IMBIBEMelting Balm Polishing Cleanser

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.