Works for
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“• Checks and Balances™ Polishing Face Scrub gently exfoliates and visibly minimize pores.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Cetyl esters + 11 moreWorks
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycine soja oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Mentha viridis leaf oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil + 4 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%
Silica~7.3–8.9%
Calcium carbonate~4.4–5.4%
Glycerin~3–3.6%
- 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 GlycerinStearic acid~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidCetyl esters~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften upper layer of the skin and can enhance penetration of other ingredients into the upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl estersCetyl alcohol~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.5–1.8%
- 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 triglycerideKaolin~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color
More about KaolinPotassium stearate~1–1.3%
Glyceryl caprylate~0.75–1.15%
- 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 caprylateDecyl glucoside~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideMentha viridis leaf oil~0.55–0.8%
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilLavandula hybrida oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen
More about Lavandula hybrida oilPelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilAnthemis nobilis flower oil~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that is used as a fragrance and can be irritating. It might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Anthemis nobilis flower oilStyrax benzoin gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Limonene~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.3–0.55%
Bambusa arundinacea stem extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tourmaline~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateLaminaria saccharina extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
More about Laminaria saccharina extractGlycine soja oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilSucrose~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion
More about SucroseCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCaffeine~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineEthylhexylglycerin~0.3–0.5%
Butylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 glycolTocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 TocopherolXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPeg-100 stearate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateBentonite~0.2–0.4%
Sodium phytate~0.2–0.35%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTitanium dioxide~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideIngredient list view
Water, Silica, Calcium carbonate, Glycerin, Stearic acid, Cetyl esters, Cetyl alcohol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Kaolin, Potassium stearate, Glyceryl caprylate, Decyl glucoside, Mentha viridis leaf oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Anthemis nobilis flower oil, Styrax benzoin gum, Limonene, Linalool, Bambusa arundinacea stem extract, Tourmaline, Sodium hyaluronate, Laminaria saccharina extract, Glycine soja oil, Sucrose, Caprylyl glycol, Caffeine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene glycol, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Peg-100 stearate, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Bentonite, Sodium phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium dioxide
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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.
| OriginsChecks and BalancesYOUR PRODUCT | AvedaBotanical Kinetics Radiant Skin Refiner | Pour Moi SkincareClarifying Polish | CliniqueLiquid Facial Soap Tube | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 41% | 35% | 33% |
| Price | $29.00 | $43.35+$14.35 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Dimethicone | Fructose | Urea |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dr. Brandt Light Years Away Whitening Renewal SolutionMesoestetic Ultimate Micropeel
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
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