Review  Babor   Balancing Cashenmere wood 200 ml 

Indications

Ingredients

Let us examine the most significant ingredients in order of quantity as stated on the label. Here is a brief summary for the sake of space. For the full text, studies and bibliography, just click on the ingredient and, if you want to go deeper, it is perhaps a little complex reading because these are scientific studies, but it clarifies the ingredient/health relationship.

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil is the sweet almond oil obtained from cold-pressed almonds. Used as an emollient and sclerosant, it produces a smoothing action on the skin. Emollients have the characteristic of improving the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties and protecting against inflammation. As a skin conditioning agent, it can improve skin tone and complexion in general without contraindications.

Ethylhexyl isononanoate. Lipid used in oil/water formulations for the formation of nanoemulsions to improve the appearance of the skin with an emollient function.

Macadamia integrifolia seed oil is an oil obtained from the seeds of the plant of the same name (it looks like small nuts), the subtropical evergreen tree Macadamia integrifolia. This oil contains fair amounts of tocopherols and phenolic compounds and is quite similar to walnut oil in its antioxidant properties. 

Jojoba oil is an oil obtained from the Jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis) and, like many plant oils, Jojoba oil has been commonly used as a topical therapy worldwide, especially for skin care, face masks, injured skin and mild acne vulgaris. Soothing, humectant and antibacterial.

Caprylic/capric triglycerides medium-chain lipids and are incorporated into cosmetic products to increase their flowability and viscosity.

Argania spinosa kernel oil. Two types of Argan oil are commercially available: that which is used in cosmetics is obtained from raw Argan nuts by cold pressing, while that which is used for culinary edible purposes is obtained from raw Argan nuts, but after roasting them.  It is an excellent source of vitamin E and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Crambe abyssinica seed oil.  Skin lubricating and nourishing agent. 

Tocopheryl acetate is Tocopherol acetate, the same product but synthetically produced by a chemical process. It is a powerful antioxidant, basically a vitamin E, has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce local bacterial growth.

Canola oil. It protects the skin by regulating its water balance and produces a slight anti-ageing effect. This study found that certain protease-only hydrolysis products (Alcalase 2.4L FG, Protex 6L, Protamex and Corolase 7089) exerted antioxidant, anti-wrinkle and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro.

Parfum The term 'Parfum' or 'Aroma' is a generic term for a fragrance and is used in cosmetic products to indicate fragrant and aromatic compounds and their raw materials. They may be natural products, but most are of chemical origin. No manufacturer declares which chemical compound is behind the cryptonym 'Parfum'.

Hexyl cinnamal A chemical compound derived from cinnamaldehide, a fragrance that is added in cosmetics to liquid soaps, shampoos and more. Hexyl cinnamal has shown in scientific studies to have a low capacity to induce sensitisation on the skin and, overall, is a product that can be used several times a day.

Linalool is a monoterpene alcohol that is extracted from aromatic plants such as Lavandula sp., Ocinum Basilicum L. and other plants of the Lamiaceae and Rutaceae families. It is a chemical intermediate. Fragrance used in toothpastes, sunscreens, lipsticks, deodorants, lip balms. It is a component considered safe if not oxidised.

Ascorbyl palmitate is an ester formed from L-ascorbic acid. An antioxidant, it improves the activity of the cells of the immune system as it donates oxygen to the radicals produced in the oxidation process by inhibiting their formation.

Limonene. A monoterpene hydrocarbon, one of the most frequently found in the plant kingdom, naturally synthesised from plants. Limonene is commonly used as a fragrance in cosmetics to pleasantly scent products containing it. It can be obtained from lemon, laurel, bergamot, kumquat, geranium and many other flowers. In cosmetic applications, as limonene is easily oxidised on contact with air, there is a risk of skin allergy. Reading many reviews concerning the cosmetics industry, limonene, like linalool, or linalool, are mentioned as dangerous components, but this is not the case. It is the oxidation of the product that can be potentially dangerous, not the component itself, as limonene, in cosmetics, is processed in a non-sterile manner and in contact with components that can accelerate the oxidative process. For this reason, it is one of the chemicals that can cause allergies and it is compulsory to write it on the label when its percentage exceeds a certain value.

Citric acid.  Primary metabolic product, odourless organic tricarboxylic acid and is obtained from lemon juice (from which the Latin name citrus derives), other fruits, beet juice and other vegetables. It performs many functions: antioxidant, acidity regulator (pH), preservative.

Ascorbic acid. A synthesised vitamin C. While vitamin C is an organic compound, ascorbic acid is the purest form of vitamin C, but it is a chemical compound, a synthesised form of vitamin C. In cosmetic products, it acts as an antioxidant.

Lecithin. Natural product also called alpha-phosphatidylcholine, very complex as it is composed of choline, fatty acids, glycerol, phospholipids, amphiphilic lipids. In cosmetic products, lecithin, which is biodegradable, performs the dual function of conditioning agent and surfactant (removes dirt particles) emulsifier. Minor functions such as antioxidant and dispersing agent.

Tocopherol. In recent years, it is often included in cosmetic products such as cleansers, shampoos, creams for its antioxidant and nourishing functions and as a skin-conditioning agent.

Conclusions

Parfum aside, all the components in this package are in no doubt as to their effectiveness. Excellent product.