Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum – Ceramides | Doctors Review

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The Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum claims to have a 0,3% Ceramide-Complex, which leads to the question: What do Ceramides do for your skin? After all, the Beauty Expert line claims to put a specific focus on effective ingredients, so the Ceramides should have a beneficial effect. (More info: A complete review of the Balea Beauty Expert line)

 

Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum Review
Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum

 

Well, we will go into the science behind Ceramides in skincare in depth in another blog post, but in short: ceramides are part of the lipids that connect the skin cells in the upper layer of the skin, forming part of the protective layer known as skin barrier. They are important to reduce moisture loss, prevent irritation and keep the skin plump and hydrated. As they decrease with age, through sun exposure and by other means, it can in theory make sense to replace them via your skincare. (More info: The benefits of using ceramides in skincare)

But is the Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum the right choice? Let’s take a closer look.

 

What the Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum claims

Ceramides are an essential part of the skin’s barrier. An intact skin barrier prevents moisture loss and products from negative environmental factors leading to premature aging.
The Calming Serum with 0,3% Ceramide-Complex strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and promotes skin regeneration. The formulation with important phospholipids and omega fatty acids has shown to increase moisture and moisture retention. The serum prevents signs of premature aging and helps the skin appear more even and smooth. Thanks to its calming effect, skin irritation and redness are diminished and the tight feeling of dry skin is relieved. At the same time prebiotics promote the balance of the skin’s microbiome.

(More info: Pre-, pro- and postbiotics in skincare)

 

Facts about the Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum

Prize and size

One dropper bottle contains 30 ml and is available for 5,95 € on the website here. The formula is vegan and like the rest of the Beauty Expert line, fragrance-free.

 

Texture and smell

If you hear skin lipids and think heavy and rich, you are wrong. But if you hear serum and think lightweight liquid. you would be mistaken as well. The Calming Serum has the texture and consistency of a light lotion and to be completely honest, I don’t think a pipette is the best choice for packaging. At times I had trouble sucking it into the pipette or pushing it out again, especially if it was a little below room temperature. Maybe a pump or tube would have worked better here.

As it is fragrance-free, it has no scent to mask the ingredients smell, meaning I get a mixture of earthy and fat when I put my nose to it. Not really pleasant, but nothing that sticks with you throughout the day. (More info: Is fragrance in skincare bad for you?)

 

Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum Product
It looks and feels like a light lotion

 

How to use the Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum

A serum is supposed to be used after cleansing and before moisturizer, but depending on the ingredients and texture might also either be layered with other serums or replace your creams, it all comes down to your skin and personal preference. (More info: What is a serum and when should you use one?)

I personally preferred using the Calming Serum in the evenings, usually on its own without a moisturizer during the hot summer nights on our beach holiday (More info: Why your skin is acting up after the holidays), but now that fall and winter are right around the corner probably layered underneath a dedicated face cream. I reach for it especially when my skin is feeling a little irritated due to sun exposure, harsh wind, salt water or just generally too many actives on my already Tretinoin stressed skin. (More info: How to use Retin A with minimal irritation).

 

Ingredients of the Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
We have mentioned Ceramides as part of the lipid layer in the outer part of the skin, but they are only one fraction of it, the other substances this layer is made of are cholesterol and fatty acids, and they seem to work best in conjunction when used in skincare, which is why you will find Ceramide NP and Ceramide NG, two of the 9 Ceramides present in the skin, paired with Linoleic and Linolenic Acid as well as Phospholipids. It also uses Glycerin as humectant – no Hyaluronic Acid, which is rare these days – and Sweet Almond Oil as additional emollient. (More info: Ingredient Spotlight Hyaluronic Acid)

The prebiotics mentioned in the description are Inulin and Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, both sugar derived and aiming to feed the good bacteria living on your skin.

(More info: How to read the skincare ingredient list)

 

Does it live up to its claims?

Yes.

At least as far as I can tell, I have no means to measure barrier strength or Transepidermal Water Loss at home. (More info: Is your skin dry or dehydrated?) If Ceramides have the effect we hope they have is, again, something we will discuss at a later date, but obviously they aren’t a magic ingredient, only a building block in a well rounded routine.

It makes my skin feel soothed and calm though, so it is a great supporting serum for those struggling with irritation, and as it is also very affordable, there is nothing wrong with giving it a go to see how your skin reacts to it.

 

Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend the Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum to?

I really enjoy this calming option and can see it become a regular in my routine, although I wish for different packaging. Depending on where you use it in your routine, it should work well for all skin types.

 

Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum Review Pinterest
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Shop the whole Balea Beauty Expert Line here

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