SBTRCT Skincare

SBTRCT Skincare Moisturising Facial Balm

Name: SBTRCT Skincare - Moisturising Facial Balm
Brand: SBTRCT Skincare

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Panthenol, Squalane + 10 more

Works well

What the product description says

“Moisturising Facial Balm”

Source: SBTRCT

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, helianthus annuus seed oil.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.6–1.4%

SqualaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn 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.~25–38%

Orbignya oleifera seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA plant oil that can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in calming down inflammation in skin~5.4–8%

Butyrospermum parkii butterKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~2.2–3.4%

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~1.5–2.2%

Rosa canina seed oilKey activeEffect: HighA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. It might have anti-oxidant properties. Might help reduce inflammation in skin and help against blemishes~1–1.5%

Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~0.6–1.35%

Helianthus annuus seed ceraKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.45–1.05%

Ricinus communis seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~0.4–0.9%

Lupinus albus seed extractKey activeEffect: MediumA plant extract that helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.9%

Olea europaea oil unsaponifiablesKey activeEffect: MediumHelp soften the upper layer of the skin~0.4–1%

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~0.35–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

6 strong irritants: Parfum, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract + 4 more — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.45–1.1%est.

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractCan be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.8%est.

Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.75%est.

GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.75%est.

LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.2–0.75%est.

LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.55%est.

CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.1–0.5%est.

Brassica alcoholHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~4.6–6.9%est.

Hydrogenated olive oil decyl estersHelps stabilize the product formulationMedium~2.4–3.6%est.

Tapioca starchUsed to create a thicker product consistencyMedium~1.2–1.7%est.

Rosa canina seed oilA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. It might have anti-oxidant properties. Might help reduce inflammation in skin and help against blemishesMedium~1–1.5%est.

Lupinus albus seed extractA plant extract that helps soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.4–0.9%est.

Dehydroacetic acidA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.

Ricinus communis seed oilA 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 consistencyMedium~0.4–0.9%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 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

Butyrospermum parkii butterA 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 radicals3/5~2.2–3.4%est.

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Evereden Protecting Baby Face Cream - No 3. Rich Cream

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$33.00

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Squalane~25–38%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Squalane

Orbignya oleifera seed oil~5.4–8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in calming down inflammation in skin

More about Orbignya oleifera seed oil

Brassica alcohol~4.6–6.9%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Brassica alcohol

Silica~3.3–5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica

Hydrogenated olive oil decyl esters~2.4–3.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Hydrogenated olive oil decyl esters

Butyrospermum parkii butter~2.2–3.4%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

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 butter

Sorbitan olivate~1.6–2.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan olivate

Glycerin~1.5–2.2%

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

Tapioca starch~1.2–1.7%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Tapioca starch

Rosa canina seed oil~1–1.5%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. It might have anti-oxidant properties. Might help reduce inflammation in skin and help against blemishes

More about Rosa canina seed oil

Panthenol~0.6–1.4%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.6–1.35%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 oil

Parfum~0.45–1.1%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Shorea robusta resin~0.45–1.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Shorea robusta resin

Rhus verniciflua peel cera~0.5–1.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Rhus verniciflua peel cera

Rhus succedanea fruit cera~0.5–1.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Rhus succedanea fruit cera

Olea europaea oil unsaponifiables~0.4–1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Help soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Olea europaea oil unsaponifiables

Helianthus annuus seed cera~0.45–1.05%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Helianthus annuus seed cera

Lupinus albus seed extract~0.4–0.9%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

A plant extract that helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lupinus albus seed extract

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.35–0.8%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-blemishAnti-oxidationAntibacterial

Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating

More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract

Dehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Dehydroacetic acid

Ricinus communis seed oil~0.4–0.9%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

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 oil

Tocopherol~0.35–0.75%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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

Benzyl alcohol~0.2–0.75%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol

Geraniol~0.2–0.75%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol

Limonene~0.2–0.75%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene

Linalool~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool

Citral~0.1–0.5%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral

Water~0.15–0.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Iron oxides~0.1–0.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear

More about Iron oxides

Ci 77491~0.1–0.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating

More about Ci 77491

Ci 77492~0.1–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A colorant. Usually well-tolerated

More about Ci 77492

Ci 77499~0.05–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

An iron oxide. Used as a colorant. Is usually well tolerated

More about Ci 77499

Ingredient list view

Squalane, Orbignya oleifera seed oil, Brassica alcohol, Silica, Hydrogenated olive oil decyl esters, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Sorbitan olivate, Glycerin, Tapioca starch, Rosa canina seed oil, Panthenol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Parfum, Shorea robusta resin, Rhus verniciflua peel cera, Rhus succedanea fruit cera, Olea europaea oil unsaponifiables, Helianthus annuus seed cera, Lupinus albus seed extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Dehydroacetic acid, Ricinus communis seed oil, Tocopherol, Benzyl alcohol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Water, Iron oxides, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499

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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
	SBTRCT SkincareMoisturising Facial BalmYOUR PRODUCT	EveredenProtecting Baby Face Cream - No 3. Rich Cream	Sisley-ParisSupremÿa At Night Anti-Aging Cream	BABORHSR Lifting Cream Rich
Match	—	53%	53%	52%
Price	—	$33.00	$1,020.00	$170.00
Shared key ingredients	—	7 of 11	6 of 11	6 of 11
Key difference	—	Phytosphingosine	Adenosine	Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Irritancy	High	Medium	High	Medium
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

Based on the ingredient list, "SBTRCT Skincare - Moisturising Facial Balm" can work well for skin moisturization. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (panthenol and 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). Emollients in this formulation (helianthus annuus seed cera, orbignya oleifera seed oil, butyrospermum parkii butter, helianthus annuus seed oil and ricinus communis seed oil) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.

Ingredient callouts

This formulation also includes panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 0.60% - 1.40% concentration. In this concentration, panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.

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.