Is Smoothing Balm Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Isana
Smoothing Balm is one of the skincare products analyzed by Zerotox for Isana. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several synthetic ingredients like phenoxyethanol and isopropyl alcohol, which raise safety concerns. The presence of sodium benzoate as a preservative also indicates a processed formulation.
Main concern
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture, contributing positively to skin hydration.
- Citric acid acts as a pH adjuster, ensuring the product maintains skin-friendly acidity.
Concerns
- Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
- Isopropyl alcohol is a drying agent that may strip natural oils from the skin, raising concerns for sensitive skin types.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid silicones
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this skincare.
-
Is Aqua safe in this skincare?
Good
Aqua is used here as base. Aqua, or water, serves as the primary solvent in this formulation, providing hydration and facilitating the delivery of other ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: AQUA
-
Is Glycerin safe in this skincare?
Good
Glycerin is used here as natural_extract. Glycerin is a natural humectant that draws moisture to the skin, enhancing hydration and improving skin texture.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: GLYCERIN
-
Is Cetearyl Alcohol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Cetearyl Alcohol is used here as emulsifier. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol used as an emulsifier and thickener, providing a creamy texture but may cause irritation in some individuals.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: CETE ARYL ALCOHOL
-
Is Cyclopentasiloxane safe in this skincare?
Medium
Cyclopentasiloxane is used here as surfactant. Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone that provides a smooth application and silky feel, but concerns exist regarding its environmental impact.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: CYCLOPENTPOXANE
-
Is Behentrimonium Chloride safe in this skincare?
Medium
Behentrimonium Chloride is used here as conditioning_agent. Behentrimonium chloride is a conditioning agent that helps detangle hair but can be irritating for some skin types.
Role in formula: conditioning_agent
Original: BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
Read the full ingredient profile for Behentrimonium Chloride
-
Is Isopropyl Palmitate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Isopropyl Palmitate is used here as emollient. Isopropyl palmitate is an emollient that provides a smooth feel but may clog pores in acne-prone skin.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: ISOPROPYL PALMITATE
-
Is Dimethiconol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Dimethiconol is used here as emollient. Dimethiconol is a silicone that provides a protective barrier and smooth texture but may lead to buildup on the skin.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: DIMETHICONOL
-
Is Panthenol safe in this skincare?
Good
Panthenol is used here as natural_extract. Panthenol, or provitamin B5, is known for its moisturizing properties and ability to improve skin barrier function.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: PANTHENOL
-
Is Parfum safe in this skincare?
Bad
Parfum is used here as fragrance. Parfum is a synthetic fragrance that can cause allergic reactions or irritation in sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: PARFUM
-
Is Isopropyl Alcohol safe in this skincare?
Bad
Isopropyl Alcohol is used here as solvent. Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent that can be drying and irritating, particularly for sensitive skin types.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that helps prevent microbial growth but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: SODIUM BENZOATE
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a mild preservative used to inhibit mold and yeast growth, though it may cause irritation in some cases.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: POTASSIUM SORBATE
-
Is Phenoxyethanol safe in this skincare?
Bad
Phenoxyethanol is used here as preservative. Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that can cause skin irritation and is restricted in some formulations.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: PHENOXY ETHANOL
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this skincare?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to adjust pH levels, ensuring the product remains effective and safe for skin application.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: CITRIC ACID
-
Is Hexyl Cinnamal safe in this skincare?
Bad
Hexyl Cinnamal is used here as fragrance. Hexyl cinnamal is a fragrance component that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: HEXYL CINNAMAL
-
Is Linalool safe in this skincare?
Bad
Linalool is used here as fragrance. Linalool is a naturally occurring fragrance that can be irritating and cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: LINALOOL
-
Is Geraniol safe in this skincare?
Bad
Geraniol is used here as fragrance. Geraniol is a fragrance component that may cause allergic reactions, particularly in sensitive skin.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: GERANIOL
-
Is Citronellol safe in this skincare?
Bad
Citronellol is used here as fragrance. Citronellol is a fragrance ingredient that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some individuals.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: CITRONELLOL
-
Is Alpha Isomethyl Ionone safe in this skincare?
Bad
Alpha Isomethyl Ionone is used here as fragrance. Alpha isomethyl ionone is a synthetic fragrance that can cause allergic reactions, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: ALPHA ISOMETHYL IONONE
-
Is Benzyl Alcohol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Benzyl Alcohol is used here as preservative. Benzyl alcohol is a preservative that can also act as a solvent, but it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: BENZYLALCOHOL
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 4278785
More from this brand: Isana products in Zerotox
Similar products: skincare in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.