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Pai Skincare Perfect Balance Blemish Serum - Copaiba & Zinc
Pai Skincare

Pai Skincare Perfect Balance Blemish Serum - Copaiba & Zinc

Efficacy62/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol + 7 more
Works
What the product description says
“Unlike other spot-treatment products, Balance Blemish Serum targets problem skin without drying it out, with Hyaluronic Acid keeping skin hydrated.”
Source: Lookfantastic

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

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).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.6–5.4%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~2.1–3.2%
Zinc pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighA compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing~1.7–2.5%
Aleurites moluccanus seed oilKey activeEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~1.3–1.9%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.85–1.25%
Glyceryl stearate citrate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin~2.6–3.9%
Glyceryl caprylate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products~0.35–0.8%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.1–0.3%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.05–0.25%
Anti-blemish
Zinc pca
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Fight and prevent break outs with the Pai Perfect Balance Blemish Serum Copaiba and Zinc.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product contains ingredients (zinc pca) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

Zinc pcaKey activeEffect: MediumA compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing~1.7–2.5%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Citrus limon fruit water, Copaifera officinalis resin + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Citrus limon fruit water—High~4.8–7.2%est.
Copaifera officinalis resinUsed as a fragranceHigh~1–1.6%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAn essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.8%est.
Sodium anisateUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Euterpe oleracea fruit oilA plant oil that might help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lackingMedium~0.5–1.2%est.
Acacia senegal gumHelps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product textureMedium~0.1–0.5%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Crithmum maritimum oil—3/5~0.2–0.7%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~2.1–3.2%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Citrus limon fruit water~4.8–7.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Citrus limon fruit water
Glycerin~3.6–5.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
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

More about Glycerin
Glyceryl stearate citrate~2.6–3.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin

More about Glyceryl stearate citrate
Cetearyl alcohol~2.1–3.2%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

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

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Carya ovata bark extract~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Carya ovata bark extract
Zinc pca~1.7–2.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing

More about Zinc pca
Aleurites moluccanus seed oil~1.3–1.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Aleurites moluccanus seed oil
Copaifera officinalis resin~1–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Copaifera officinalis resin
Sodium hyaluronate~0.85–1.25%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Euterpe oleracea fruit oil~0.5–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant oil that might help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking

More about Euterpe oleracea fruit oil
Carapa guianensis seed oil~0.5–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Carapa guianensis seed oil
Illicium verum fruit oil~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Illicium verum fruit oil
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil
Glyceryl caprylate~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products

More about Glyceryl caprylate
Citrus medica peel oil~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Citrus medica peel oil
Crithmum maritimum oil~0.2–0.7%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
More about Crithmum maritimum oil
Acacia senegal gum~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture

More about Acacia senegal gum
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Sodium levulinate~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium levulinate
Tocopherol~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

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 Tocopherol
Lactic acid~0.05–0.25%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneMoisturizingExfoliationAnti-aging

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 acid
Sodium anisate~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Sodium anisate
Ingredient list view

Water, Citrus limon fruit water, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Cetearyl alcohol, Carya ovata bark extract, Zinc pca, Aleurites moluccanus seed oil, Copaifera officinalis resin, Sodium hyaluronate, Euterpe oleracea fruit oil, Carapa guianensis seed oil, Illicium verum fruit oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Glyceryl caprylate, Citrus medica peel oil, Crithmum maritimum oil, Acacia senegal gum, Xanthan gum, Sodium levulinate, Tocopherol, Lactic acid, Sodium anisate

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Pai SkincarePerfect Balance Blemish Serum - Copaiba & ZincYOUR PRODUCTEau de JonzacPerfection Perfect Skin Serum Concentratet OrganicMedik8Clarity PeptidesSuperfluidIn The Clear Blemish Aid Serum
Match—42%41%41%
Price—$24.46$60.75$28.00
Shared key ingredients—3 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideNiacinamideNiacinamide
Irritancy High Medium Low Medium
Drying alcohol——— Contains drying alcohol
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylate inhibits the UVA-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by in vitro cultured skin fibroblasts, whereas it enhances their collagen synthesisonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  3. 3
    Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review hindawi.com
  4. 4
    Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin careresearchgate.net
  6. 6
    Antioxidant Capacity and Other Bioactivities of the Freeze-Dried Amazonian Palm Berry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (Acai)pubs.acs.org
Pai Skincare Perfect Balance Blemish Serum - Copaiba & Zinc
Pai SkincarePerfect Balance Blemish Serum - Copaiba & Zinc
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.