natureofthings Superlative Body Balm
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing9 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Moisture-rich emollients like Jojoba oil and shea butter quench dryness while cooling menthol adds an invigorating sensation.”
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.
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, simmondsia chinensis seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis
Anti-blemish1 ingredient credited for this claimLimited support
“Key Benefits Prevents inflammationRelieves pain and swellingRelieves headaches and migraines”
This product contains ingredients (cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 strong irritants: Menthol, Boswellia serrata resin extract + 9 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Menthol~5.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Persea gratissima oil~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 oilGlycerin~2.4–2.9%
- 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 GlycerinCetearyl alcohol~1.9–2.4%
- 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 alcoholSqualane~1.7–2.1%
- 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 SqualaneButyrospermum parkii butter~1.5–1.8%
- 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 butterGlyceryl stearate~1.2–1.5%
- 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 stearateCetearyl olivate~0.95–1.15%
Sorbitan olivate~0.7–1.05%
Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
CBD. Can bind to skin cell receptors and can reduce inflammation, itching, and help support skin barrier function
More about Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabisBoswellia serrata resin extract~0.55–0.85%
Symphytum officinale leaf extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has an anti-bacterial effect
More about Symphytum officinale leaf extractArnica montana flower extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can be irritating. It can have some anti-bacterial properties, but there are no evidence of a beneficial effect for skin
More about Arnica montana flower extractCurcuma longa root extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractPiper nigrum seed oil~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Thymus vulgaris extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Zingiber officinale root extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
More about Zingiber officinale root extractIsopulegol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Menthoxypropanediol~0.35–0.6%
Vanillyl butyl ether~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bisabolol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about BisabololCitrus paradisi peel oil~0.25–0.5%
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilPelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilDimethyl isosorbide~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideGlyceryl caprylate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateCetyl hydroxyethylcellulose~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize formulations
More about Cetyl hydroxyethylcelluloseGlyceryl caprate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.15–0.25%
Triethyl citrate~0.1–0.2%
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumRosa damascena extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractIngredient list view
Water, Menthol, Persea gratissima oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Squalane, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis, Boswellia serrata resin extract, Symphytum officinale leaf extract, Arnica montana flower extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Piper nigrum seed oil, Thymus vulgaris extract, Zingiber officinale root extract, Isopulegol, Menthoxypropanediol, Vanillyl butyl ether, Bisabolol, Citrus paradisi peel oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Dimethyl isosorbide, Glyceryl caprylate, Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl caprate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Triethyl citrate, Unknown, Parfum, Rosa damascena extract
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| natureofthingsSuperlative Body BalmYOUR PRODUCT | Lord JonesCBD Body Lotions | The Body ShopCBD Replenishing Moisture Cream | KlorisThe Lotion Hand and Body Tube | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 83% | 81% | 78% |
| Price | $75.00 | $40.00−$35.00 | $34.00−$41.00 | $11.10−$63.90 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Panthenol | Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "natureofthings - Superlative Body Balm" works well for improving skin hydration As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (glycerin) 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). Persea gratissima oil, butyrospermum parkii butter, simmondsia chinensis seed oil, squalane and cetearyl alcohol 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
- What makes this product special is the inclusion of Cannabidiol, or CBD (0.60% - 0.90%). CBD is a new active in skincare, and the research about it is still ongoing. It is already clear though that CBD can bind to skin cell receptors. It can help reduce inflammation, itching, and help support skin barrier function. It also has a promise in reducing acne.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. 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.
Price
The product retails for 75.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effects of Topical Arnica Gel on Post-Laser Treatment Bruisesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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