PRODUCT REVIEW
Zelens The Balm
Can it cause trouble?
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More options from: $45.00
Price as of 2/11/2023 1:34 GMT.
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What can the product work for?
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Hyaluronic acid minimises the appearance of fine lines, shea butter increases softness and green shiso leaf provides antioxidant protection against free radical damage and environmental stresses.
beeswax
2.8% -
4.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
sodium hyaluronate
0.55% -
1.25%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
theobroma cacao seed butter
1.7% -
2.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
Show more
Anti-blemish
ethyl linoleate
0.15% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
retinyl palmitate
0.45% -
1.05%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Hyaluronic acid minimises the appearance of fine lines, shea butter increases softness and green shiso leaf provides antioxidant protection against free radical damage and environmental stresses.
butyrospermum parkii butter
1.6% -
2.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
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
retinyl palmitate
0.45% -
1.05%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
tocopherol
0.05% -
0.25%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
62/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 3
Potential irritants
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
2.5% -
3.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
retinyl palmitate
0.45% -
1.05%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Exfoliation
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
theobroma cacao seed butter
1.7% -
2.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-dandruff
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
butyrospermum parkii butter
1.6% -
2.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
User reviews (0)
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
retinyl palmitate
0.45% -
1.05%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Exfoliation
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
ethyl linoleate
0.15% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-inflammatory
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
Show more
Potential irritants
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
2.5% -
3.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
retinyl palmitate
0.45% -
1.05%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Exfoliation
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
theobroma cacao seed butter
1.7% -
2.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-dandruff
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
butyrospermum parkii butter
1.6% -
2.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
All ingredients
oryza sativa bran oil
4.6% -
6.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
Show more
Ingredient list view
Polybutene, Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, Oryza sativa bran oil, Cera alba, Beeswax, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl behenate, Sodium hyaluronate, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Perilla frutescens leaf extract, Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Helianthus annuus seed extract, Lecithin, Caprylyl glycol, Silica dimethyl silylate, Arachidyl propionate, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Ci 77891, Titanium dioxide, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Aroma, Parfum, Bht, Butylene glycol, Ethyl oleate, Ethyl linolenate, Ethyl linoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Hexylene glycol
Sources
- Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel on the safety assessment of Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene as used in cosmetics
- Study on the Composition of Rice Bran Oil and Its Higher Free Fatty Acids Value
- Efficacy of barrier creams in comparison to skin care products in dental laboratory technicians--a controlled trial
- Cocoa polyphenols and their influence on parameters involved in ex vivo skin restructuring
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Ethyl linoleate inhibits α-MSH-induced melanogenesis through Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signal pathway
- Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of a lotion containing triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate in the treatment of acne vulgaris
- Vitamin E in dermatology