Works for
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“the gel formula gently rolls across the skin to lift away dead skin cells and impurities leaving zero damage to skin (or oceans). Skin feels soft, smooth and nourished. Virtuous all round.”
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Squalene, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil + 2 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (squalene) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Helianthus annuus seed oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed + 12 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.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, ricinus communis seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit water, Boswellia neglecta resin oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Helianthus annuus seed oil~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilGlycerin~3.8–5.7%
- 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 GlycerinPrunus amygdalus dulcis seed~4.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seedAleurites moluccanus seed oil~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Aleurites moluccanus seed oilPrunus armeniaca kernel oil~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oilCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilPersea gratissima oil~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilHydrogenated castor oil~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilRicinus communis seed oil~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Ricinus communis seed oilHydrogenated jojoba oil~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated jojoba oilJojoba esters~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersSucrose laurate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Sucrose laurateCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit water~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Boswellia neglecta resin oil~0.4–0.9%
Boswellia carterii oil~0.15–0.65%
Beta-sitosterol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A phytosterol that can support skin's barrier function and help the skin stay hydrated
More about Beta-sitosterolLitsea cubeba fruit oil~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil with a lemon-like smell that is extracted from a fruit grown in Asia. Used as a fragrance
More about Litsea cubeba fruit oilTocopherol~0.05–0.25%
- 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 TocopherolSqualene~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
More about SqualeneIngredient list view
Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glycerin, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Aleurites moluccanus seed oil, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Persea gratissima oil, Hydrogenated castor oil, Ricinus communis seed oil, Hydrogenated jojoba oil, Jojoba esters, Sucrose laurate, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit water, Boswellia neglecta resin oil, Boswellia carterii oil, Unknown, Beta-sitosterol, Litsea cubeba fruit oil, Tocopherol, Squalene
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.
| Pai SkincareVirtuous CircleYOUR PRODUCT | Liberty BelleDate Night | Renee RouleauDual Enzyme Softening Peel | Skin Resource.MDCrystal Clarity Exfoliation Scrub | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 32% | 30% | 29% |
| Price | $54.00 | $58.83+$4.83 | $57.50+$3.50 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 12 | 3 of 12 | 4 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Linoleic Acid | Niacinamide | Borago Officinalis Seed Oil |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Josie Maran 5 Minute FacialArtNaturals LUXE Gentle Daily Exfoliator
Product summary
"Pai Skincare - Virtuous Circle" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (glycerin 3.80% - 5.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Pai Skincare" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 54.00$ 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 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.