Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingMadecassoside, Panthenol + 13 moreStrong evidence
“This cica-cream is clinically demonstrated* to help repair the moisture barrier of compromised 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, caprylyl glycol.
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: madecassoside, panthenol
Anti-agingMadecassoside, Butyrospermum parkii butterModerate evidence
“After 3 days, this formula helps reduce visible skin redness and dry fine lines.”
This product contains madecassoside. This ingredient 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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Madecassoside, Theobroma cacao seed butter + 2 moreStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale5 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.9–6%
- 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 GlycerinTheobroma cacao seed butter~4.3–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterButyrospermum parkii butter~3.4–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 triglycerideSesamum indicum seed oil~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 Sesamum indicum seed oilGlyceryl stearate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePanthenol~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPeg-100 stearate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateSorbitan stearate~0.95–1.15%
Carbomer~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerCetearyl alcohol~0.8–1.15%
- 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 alcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolStearic acid~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMadecassoside~0.5–0.8%
- 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 MadecassosidePalmitic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidCaprylyl glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCeteareth-20~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Sodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetateXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolysorbate 20~0.2–0.35%
Dimethicone~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeDisodium edta~0.1–0.2%
Myristic acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidDimethiconol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolCitric acid~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Butyrospermum parkii butter, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Sesamum indicum seed oil, Glyceryl stearate, Panthenol, Peg-100 stearate, Sorbitan stearate, Carbomer, Cetearyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic acid, Madecassoside, Palmitic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Ceteareth-20, Chlorphenesin, Sodium hydroxide, Tocopheryl acetate, Xanthan gum, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Disodium edta, Myristic acid, Dimethiconol, Citric acid
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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.
| Kiehl'sCentella Sensitive Cica BalmYOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosaySoothing and Repairing Balm Duo | Real BarrierIntense Moisture Hyaluronic Cream | Etude HouseSoonJung 2 Barrier Intensive Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% | 51% | 51% |
| Price | — | — | $23.99 | $16.57 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Manganese Gluconate | Ceramide Np | Sunflower Seed Oil |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Kiehl's - Centella Sensitive Cica Balm" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Kiehl's - Centella Sensitive Cica Balm ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, glycerin and caprylyl 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). Sesamum indicum seed oil, theobroma cacao seed butter, butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride and dimethicone in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- This formulation also includes actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (its other name is Gotu Kola): madecassoside 0.50% - 0.80% 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.
- This formulation also uses an effective concentration of panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.40% - 1.70%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Triglyceride composition of Sesamum indicum seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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