"MATH scientific - Supercharged calming & restoring moisturizer for problematic skin BALANCE3" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. 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. Panthenol and glycerin in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (c12-15 alkyl benzoate, cetearyl alcohol and pentylene glycol) 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

This product contains acids (gluconolactone 0.45% - 1.00%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). PHAs (gluconolactone) especially are great for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.40% - 2.00%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: allantoin and gluconolactone

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. 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.

Works for

Moisturizing

Does not work for

Anti-blemish

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Supercharged calming & restoring moisturizer for problematic skin BALANCE3

Source: From product name

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

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

Panthenol1.4% - 2%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:HIGH

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

Glycerin3.8% - 5.7%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

Cetearyl alcohol2.2% - 3.3%

Irritation risk:Comedogenicity:MediumConcentration:Effectiveness:MEDIUM

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

Glyceryl stearate se2% - 3%

Irritation risk:Comedogenicity:MediumConcentration:Effectiveness:MEDIUM

Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient

C12-15 alkyl benzoate3.7% - 5.6%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:MEDIUM

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

Pentylene glycol1.2% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:LOW

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

Gluconolactone0.45% - 1%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Insufficient!

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

Allantoin0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Insufficient!

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

Anti-blemish

What does the product description say?

During the day, it helps to control sebum production, and keeps the skin bright and hydrated. The cream does not clog pores.

Source: N/A

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Salix alba bark extract0.4% - 0.95%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:LOW

A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect

Gluconolactone0.45% - 1%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Insufficient!

Allantoin0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Insufficient!

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

Key Actives

Gluconolactone0.45% - 1%

Irritation risk:

Works for:Exfoliation, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Anti-oxidation, Anti-blemish

Allantoin0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Works for:Anti-inflammatory, Moisturizing, Anti-blemish, Reduces redness, Reduces irritation, Exfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

Panthenol1.4% - 2%

Irritation risk:

Works for:Moisturizing, Reduces redness, Reduces irritation

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

Glycerin3.8% - 5.7%

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

Potential irritants

Salix alba bark extract0.4% - 0.95%

Irritation risk:

Potassium cetyl phosphate1.6% - 2.4%

Irritation risk:

Helps oil and water mix together

Pentylene glycol1.2% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

Gluconolactone0.45% - 1%

Irritation risk:

Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Helps oil and water mix together

Potassium sorbate0.05% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

A preservative

Comedogenic ingredients

Cetearyl alcohol2.2% - 3.3%

Irritation risk:Comedogenicity:Medium

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

Glyceryl stearate se2% - 3%

Irritation risk:Comedogenicity:Medium

Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient

All ingredients

Water40% - 60%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

Glycerin3.8% - 5.7%

Irritation risk:

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

C12-15 alkyl benzoate3.7% - 5.6%

Irritation risk:

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

Cetearyl alcohol2.2% - 3.3%

Irritation risk:Comedogenicity:Medium

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

Glyceryl stearate se2% - 3%

Irritation risk:Comedogenicity:Medium

Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient

Potassium cetyl phosphate1.6% - 2.4%

Irritation risk:

Helps oil and water mix together

Panthenol1.4% - 2%

Irritation risk:

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

Pentylene glycol1.2% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

Maltol0.85% - 1.25%

Irritation risk:

Salix alba bark extract0.4% - 0.95%

Irritation risk:

Gluconolactone0.45% - 1%

Irritation risk:

Allantoin0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Helps oil and water mix together

Bisabolol0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties

Polyquaternium-800.1% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Potassium sorbate0.05% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

A preservative

Sodium benzoate0.05% - 0.2%

Irritation risk:

A preservative

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate se, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Panthenol, Pentylene glycol, Maltol, Salix alba bark extract, Gluconolactone, Allantoin, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Bisabolol, Polyquaternium-80, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate

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MATH scientific Supercharged calming & restoring moisturizer for problematic skin BALANCE3

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Product Summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-blemish

What does the product description say?

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Potential irritants

Comedogenic ingredients

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