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SEPHORA COLLECTION Melting Cleansing Balm Cleanse + Balance
SEPHORA COLLECTION

SEPHORA COLLECTION Melting Cleansing Balm Cleanse + Balance

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Hydrogenated castor oil, Polyglyceryl-3 caprate + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Melting Cleansing Balm Cleanse + Balance”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, hydrogenated castor oil, polyglyceryl-3 caprate, polyglyceryl-3 stearate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate) 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.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: cocamidopropyl betaine

Hydrogenated castor oilEffect: 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~3.9–5.8%
Polyglyceryl-3 caprateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~3.9–5.8%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~1.3–2%
Polyglyceryl-4 caprateEffect: High~1.2–1.8%
Polyglyceryl-3 stearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.55–1.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
8 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 8 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~1.3–2%est.
Phenethyl alcoholA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.7%est.
Hydrogenated castor 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~3.9–5.8%est.
Polyglyceryl-3 caprateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~3.9–5.8%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~1–1.5%est.
Chlorella vulgaris extractA plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory propertiesMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Ci 42090A colorant (dye)Medium~0.1–0.4%est.
Comedogenic
3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
3 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
Hydrolyzed alginDerived from brown algae. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin3/5~0.3–0.7%est.
Laminaria digitata extractSeaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment3/5~0.15–0.65%est.
Chlorella vulgaris extractA plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties3/5~0.15–0.6%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Helianthus annuus seed oil~23–34%
Formula
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
Glycerin~4.7–7%
Formula
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
Hydrogenated castor oil~3.9–5.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
CleansingMoisturizingAnti-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 Hydrogenated castor oil
Polyglyceryl-3 caprate~3.9–5.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-3 caprate
Tribehenin~3–4.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Tribehenin
Water~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Coco-caprylate/caprate~1.8–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture

More about Coco-caprylate/caprate
Behenyl alcohol~1.6–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient

More about Behenyl alcohol
Polyglyceryl-4 caprate~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polyglyceryl-4 caprate
Caprylyl glycol~1–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Cocamidopropyl betaine~1.3–2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Polyglyceryl-3 stearate~0.55–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-3 stearate
Maris aqua~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Sea water. Helps dissolve other ingredients in a product

More about Maris aqua
Sea water~0.45–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water

More about Sea water
Tocopherol~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-inflammatory

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
Sodium chloride~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Hydrolyzed algin~0.3–0.7%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Derived from brown algae. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrolyzed algin
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Phenethyl alcohol~0.15–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Phenethyl alcohol
Laminaria digitata extract~0.15–0.65%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment

More about Laminaria digitata extract
Chlorella vulgaris extract~0.15–0.6%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

More about Chlorella vulgaris extract
Saccharide isomerate~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharide isomerate
Citric acid~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Ci 42090~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A colorant (dye)

More about Ci 42090
Ingredient list view

Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glycerin, Hydrogenated castor oil, Polyglyceryl-3 caprate, Tribehenin, Water, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Behenyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Caprylyl glycol, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Polyglyceryl-3 stearate, Maris aqua, Sea water, Tocopherol, Sodium chloride, Hydrolyzed algin, Sodium benzoate, Phenethyl alcohol, Laminaria digitata extract, Chlorella vulgaris extract, Saccharide isomerate, Citric acid, Ci 42090

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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
SEPHORA COLLECTIONMelting Cleansing Balm Cleanse + BalanceYOUR PRODUCTGlossierMilky Jelly Cleansing Balm & Makeup RemoverNatura SibericaLittle Siberica Organic Baby Moisturising MilkThe INKEY List CAGlycerin Gentle Purifying Cleanser
Match—15%15%13%
Price—$23.58$8.29$19.00
Shared key ingredients—3 of 93 of 92 of 9
Key difference—Beta-SitosterolOatmeal ExtractCentella Asiatica Extract
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Careonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  2. 2
    Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egyptjournals.lww.com
  3. 3
    Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countriesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE, Ricinoleic Acid, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Ethyl Ricinoleate, Glycol Ricinoleate, Isopropyl Ricinoleate, Methyl Ricinoleate, and Octyldodecyl Ricinoleatencbi.nlm.nih.gov
SEPHORA COLLECTION Melting Cleansing Balm Cleanse + Balance
SEPHORA COLLECTIONMelting Cleansing Balm Cleanse + Balance
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.