OleHenriksen Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator
Works for
CleansingPolysorbate 20, Linoleic acid + 2 moreCleanses gently
“This groundbreaking formula also significantly improves the wear of foundation for up to eight hours, making makeup meltdown a thing of the past.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (hexylene glycol, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, polysorbate 20) 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.
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Allantoin + 2 moreWorks well
“-Salicylic Acid (BHA) + Glycolic and Lactic Acids (AHAs).”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: glycolic acid.
Anti-blemishLinoleic acid, Glycolic acid + 4 moreNot delivered
“Acne and blemishes If you want to know more.”
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid, linoleic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Mentha piperita oil, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract + 2 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%
Butylene glycol~6.8–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolGlycerin~4.1–5%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.2–3.9%
- 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 triglycerideDimethicone~2.4–2.9%
- 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 DimethiconeAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~1.9–2.4%
- 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 crosspolymerMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerSodium hydroxide~1.3–1.6%
Polysorbate 20~1.1–1.3%
Linoleic acid~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolGlycolic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidLactic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidMelia azadirachta seed oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function due to the high linoleic acid content
More about Melia azadirachta seed oilAvena sativa kernel flour~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier
More about Avena sativa kernel flourMethyl gluceth-20~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it
More about Methyl gluceth-20Caprylyl glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLinolenic acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Linolenic acidSalicylic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidMentha piperita oil~0.25–0.45%
Enantia chlorantha bark extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A bark extract that might help clam down inflammation and neutralize free radicals , but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Enantia chlorantha bark extractMacrocystis pyrifera extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf extractChondrus crispus extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- 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 extractTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.45%
- 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 acetateHexylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.45%
Dimethicone crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerBisabolol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 BisabololAllantoin~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinPhytic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidParfum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSaccharide isomerate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateRosa canina fruit extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence is lacking
More about Rosa canina fruit extractTocopherol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateOleanolic acid~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful against blemishes, work as an anti-oxidant, reduce inflammation and improve skin's ability to hold on to moisture, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness when applied topically to human skin
More about Oleanolic acidLimonene~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Sodium hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Linoleic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Melia azadirachta seed oil, Avena sativa kernel flour, Methyl gluceth-20, Caprylyl glycol, Linolenic acid, Salicylic acid, Mentha piperita oil, Enantia chlorantha bark extract, Macrocystis pyrifera extract, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Chondrus crispus extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Hexylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Phytic acid, Parfum, Saccharide isomerate, Rosa canina fruit extract, Tocopherol, Sodium hyaluronate, Oleanolic acid, Limonene
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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.
| OleHenriksenCounter Balance Oil Control HydratorYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections | COSRXThe AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel | 60 Padstingl by DRMTLGY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 79% | 77% | 74% |
| Price | — | — | $12.18 | $38.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 19 | 3 of 19 | 6 of 19 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Gluconolactone | Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Purifide Blackhead Control 2% SA Deep Exfoliating CleanserYEOUTH Vitamin C Facial Cleanser Day/Night Cream
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 27 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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