Formula · 6.6

Brand · 6.7

ARAVIA Laboratories · cream with niacinamide and SPF 20 · Russia

ARAVIA Laboratories Acne Balance Cream SPF 20

ARAVIA Laboratories Acne Balance Cream SPF 20
6.6

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.7Actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4
  • Active concentration0.9After the 1 % line: panthenol (pro-vitamin b5), licorice extract — the concentration is likely token
  • Completeness for the purpose0.5For “acne and blackheads” — 47 %; without a BHA (salicylic acid) that clears pores from inside; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid (bha); below threshold: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a broad formula across 5 purposes
  • Tolerance0.7Debatable ingredient groups: BHT and BHA (antioxidants), fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested), talc
  • adults
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • children
  • dry skin
  • sensitive skinat 10 % flushing is possible
  • rosaceaask a dermatologist
  • babiesloose powder is not used for babies because of inhalation
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
  • evening
morning and evening, on clean skin
When to expect an effect: tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4; soothing — days; barrier — 2–4 weeks; redness, itching — 1–2 weeks; spots — 8–12 weeks, if at all; gives no visible effect alone — protects the formula's oils
What is normal: mild flushing in the first days at high concentration; nothing special — well tolerated

Ingredients — 21 component · 4 work

What works: 4 of 21 ingredients: niacinamide, panthenol, licorice extract and 1 more. Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.

Strengths: active concentration

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4; completeness for the purpose: for “acne and blackheads” — 47 %; tolerance: debatable ingredient groups: bht and bha, fragrance and its allergens, talc

Questions: talc — a mineral powder: it absorbs moisture, makes the texture silky and works as a glidant in tablets. The buyer question is asbestos in the raw material: cosmetic talc must be purified of it, and in 2024 the IARC classified talc in group 2A (probably carcinogenic).; fragrance and its allergens: fragrance — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works; BHT and BHA (antioxidants): bht

  • Aqua base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate base: coating, fillers · absorbs or reflects ultraviolet light to protect the skin
  • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate base: coating, fillers · holds back the growth of bacteria and fungi
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate base: coating, fillers · an anionic emulsifier: keeps oil and water together in light creams and sunscreens; a few percent of the product, no action on the skin
  • Niacinamide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: niacinamide
  • Dimethicone base: coating, fillers · form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • Sorbitan Stearate base: coating, fillers · a mild cream emulsifier; does not clog pores
  • Talc questions · a mineral powder: it absorbs moisture, makes the texture silky and works as a glidant in tablets. The buyer question is asbestos in the raw material: cosmetic talc must be purified of it, and in 2024 the IARC classified talc in group 2A (probably carcinogenic).
  • Glyceryl Stearate base: coating, fillers · the basic cream emulsifier (neutral NSE form); the self-emulsifying SE form with added potassium stearate is a separate entry, 3 of 5; does not clog pores
  • Phenoxyethanol base: coating, fillers · the most widespread cosmetic preservative: it keeps the product sterile. Permitted in the EU up to 1 %, recognised as safe at that level.
  • PEG-100 Stearate base: coating, fillers · a highly ethoxylated emulsifier, the usual partner of glyceryl stearate; does not clog pores
  • Panthenol works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: panthenol
  • Sodium Polyacrylate label wording · an allergen (sodium (salt)) — matters when limiting salt, for example with blood pressure; the label says it is absent
  • Tocopheryl Acetate works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: tocopheryl acetate (ester; in cosmetics)
  • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract base: coating, fillers · an ingredient from the European cosmetic ingredient inventory; what exactly it does in this product is not described here yet
  • Chelidonium Majus Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: licorice root extract
  • Parfum questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Ethylhexylglycerin base: coating, fillers · a preservative booster and skin-conditioning ingredient: it barely preserves on its own but helps phenoxyethanol work and lowers the amount needed.
  • BHT questions · antioxidants that keep oils from going rancid: hundredths of a percent in cosmetics, and E321 and E320 in supplements. A frequent buyer question, with no proven harm at these levels.
  • Disodium EDTA base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works

ARAVIA Laboratories Acne Balance Cream SPF 20 is a product whose active ingredient is niacinamide (vitamin b3) + panthenol (pro-vitamin b5) + licorice extract + vitamin e. The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. The effect is supported by studies: niacinamide (vitamin b3). The effect is moderately supported: panthenol (pro-vitamin b5). There is little evidence of effect: licorice extract, vitamin e. The formula has 21 ingredients, 4 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Talc (a mineral powder: it absorbs moisture, makes the texture silky and works as a glidant in tablets. The buyer question is asbestos in the raw material: cosmetic talc must be purified of it, and in 2024 the IARC classified talc in group 2A (probably carcinogenic).); Parfum (the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works); BHT. Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, pregnancy, oily skin, acne-prone, children, dry skin. sensitive skin, rosacea, babies, atopic skin — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: morning and evening, on clean skin. When to expect an effect: tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4. Label score — 6.6 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4; after the 1 % line: panthenol (pro-vitamin b5), licorice extract — the concentration is likely token; for “acne and blackheads” — 47 %; without a bha (salicylic acid) that clears pores from inside; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid (bha); below threshold: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a broad formula across 5 purposes; debatable ingredient groups: bht and bha (antioxidants), fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested), talc). SPF 20 does not replace a sunscreen during long sun exposure.

Who it does not suit

  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

When to stop: persistent burning — stop; itching, rash — stop; rarely — contact allergy: rash, itching — stop

Per the maker's leaflet: SPF 20 does not replace a sunscreen during long sun exposure.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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