Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing15 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Bija oil and D-panthenol help nourish, moisturize and repair 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, glucose.
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: squalane, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: madecassoside, panthenol
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimLimited support
“Ow! Painful spots? Painful spots?”
This product contains ingredients (madecassoside) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (asiaticoside, madecassoside) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains asiaticoside, madecassoside. 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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Citrus unshiu peel extractMedium 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.
Propanediol~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~3.6–5.4%
- 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 GlycerinCyclopentasiloxane~4.6–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneSqualane~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneCyclohexasiloxane~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneCetearyl alcohol~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholMadecassoside~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulations
More about MadecassosideMadecassic acid~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and asiatic acid), madecassic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Madecassic acidAsiaticoside~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid), asiaticoside has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about AsiaticosideAsiatic acid~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and madecassic acid) asiatic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Asiatic acidPanthenol~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolC12-16 alcohols~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product's texture
More about C12-16 alcoholsDiisostearyl malate~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisostearyl malateCetearyl glucoside~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosidePalmitic acid~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidHydrogenated lecithin~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinPolysorbate 60~0.3–0.75%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerTromethamine~0.15–0.6%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.6%
1,2-hexanediol~0.15–0.55%
Water~0.15–0.55%
Opuntia coccinellifera fruit extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Opuntia coccinellifera fruit extractWater~0.15–0.5%
Citrus unshiu peel extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sorbitan isostearate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateGlucose~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseOrchid extract~0.1–0.35%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractCamellia japonica leaf extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Camellia japonica leaf extractTorreya nucifera seed oil0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Squalane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl alcohol, Madecassoside, Madecassic acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid, Panthenol, C12-16 alcohols, Diisostearyl malate, Cetearyl glucoside, Palmitic acid, Hydrogenated lecithin, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Tromethamine, Disodium edta, 1,2-hexanediol, Water, Opuntia coccinellifera fruit extract, Water, Citrus unshiu peel extract, Sorbitan isostearate, Glucose, Orchid extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Camellia japonica leaf extract, Torreya nucifera seed oil
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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.
| innisfreeBija Cica BalmYOUR PRODUCT | Etude HouseSoon Jung 5-Panthensoside Cica Sleeping Pack | Dr.GR.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Emulsion 1 | VegreenSkin Purifying Tea Tree Gel Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 61% | 61% |
| Price | $15.69 | $10.40−$5.29 | $21.00+$5.31 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 8 | 7 of 8 | 7 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Copernicia Cerifera Wax | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Centella Asiatica Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "innisfree - Bija Cica Balm" works well for improving skin hydration To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Innisfree - Bija Cica Balm ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, glycerin and glucose) 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 (squalane, cetearyl alcohol, cyclopentasiloxane, diisostearyl malate and c12-16 alcohols) 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
- Actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (also known as Gotu Kola) - asiatic acid 0.80% - 1.25%, asiaticoside 0.90% - 1.35%, madecassic acid 1.30% - 1.90% and madecassoside 1.40% - 2.10% The Centella Asiatica Actives help strengthen and restore the skin barrier, decrease inflammation in skin and neutralize free radicals. They also can help to reduce scarring. The good news is that these actives work even in low concentrations.
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 0.50% - 1.10% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "innisfree" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 17.80$ up to 23.00$ in the United States, for 37.00A$ in Australia and for 42.00NZ$ in New Zealand.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Contact dermatitis due to Madecassolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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