The INKEY List CA Biome Balancing Moisturizer
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Introducing Biome Balancing Moisturizer, a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that helps hydrate and balance even the most sensitive blemish-prone skin.”
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:
betaine, 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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, diheptyl succinate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-1
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains acetyl hexapeptide-1. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.1–6.2%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.8–5.7%
- 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 triglycerideBetaine~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineDiheptyl succinate~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product finish on the skin
More about Diheptyl succinateInulin~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking
More about InulinPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPentylene glycol~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPropanediol~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolTromethamine~0.55–1.25%
Caprylyl glycol~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharideCapryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymerEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.7%
Carbomer~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractPolysorbate 60~0.1–0.45%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearatePotassium sorbate~0.05–0.3%
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Acetyl hexapeptide-1~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl hexapeptide-1Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Betaine, Diheptyl succinate, Inulin, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Pentylene glycol, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Caprylyl glycol, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Acetyl hexapeptide-1
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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.
| The INKEY List CABiome Balancing MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | NIP+FABCeramide Fix Overnight Cream 12% | BIOHEAL BOHProbioderm 3D Lifting Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 52% |
| Price | — | $25.38 | $27.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Azelaic Acid | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"The INKEY List CA - Biome Balancing Moisturizer" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. 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 (betaine, glycerin and caprylyl glycol) 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 (caprylic/capric triglyceride, diheptyl succinate, caprylyl glycol and pentylene glycol) 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 moisturizer also contains Peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-1 0.05% - 0.15%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that they are helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The INKEY List CA" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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