DHC • Emollient Balm • Moisturizers

evyyhl on 1/17/2013 2:19:00 AM more reviews by evyyhl

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Other    

I wanted to try a light weight moisturizer so I could alternate it with my favorite Bubble & Bee Organic Face Cream (it has shea butter & rosehip oil so it's very heavy) for my extremely sensitive acne prone skin. Despite the poor reviews of this product on this site, I still wanted to try this product because I liked the concepts of DHC and I read some good reviews on DHC's site (maybe biased) and else where.


Here are my comments about this Emollient Balm:


Texture: It has a very thin and watery consistency. So I think the word "Balm" on the packaging may be misleading!! The light weight texture is suitable for oily and combination skin.


Smell: It smells like a combination of oat meal, milk and an odd honey smell (probably comes from the royal jelly). So it doesn't have a sweet honey aroma. However, the smell doesn't bother me at all. I think it's better that skin care products don't contain "harmful artificial fragrance" chemicals. The fragrance chemicals can give me very bad headaches & allergic skin reactions. Luckily this "balm" (watery lotion) does not cause headache for me.


Results: It does provide enough hydration but that's about it. It's not a miracle lotion. I've been using this balm for 2 months but everything else in my skin care stays the same. My skin did not react to it for the 1st 3 weeks. Then I noticed some white bumps on my face. I wasn't sure whether it's acne or not? I kept getting more and more small white bumps on my face. With the help of Tazorac (retinol cream), these white stuff finally emerged to the surface so I could squeeze them out. I'm guessing they were non-inflammatory acne underneath my skin. I stopped using this balm & the white bumps didn't reappear.


Packaging: It's in a glass bottle with pump. I like the packaging, but it's not easy to travel with.


Ingredients: Although I like the philosophy of DHC company, I don't like the "PLACENTAL PROTEIN" ingredient in this balm. I found some reviews indicated that these animal proteins were derived from cell cultures (but what kind of animal's cells did they come from) according to DHC. I prefer skin care products without animal ingredients (my personal preference), although both animal or plant derived ingredients can cause skin sensitivity and allergic reactions. So I will not repurchase this.

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CTansimore on 7/17/2012 12:53:00 PM more reviews by CTansimore

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Olive, Cool   Hair: Brown, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

My skin looks great after using this. It works well after a retinol, AHA product and seems to nourish and replenish. It also works especially well as a make up base under a powder foundation. I just ordered three bottles (on sale). It's my HG for right now. As for the smell, it is important. You should try a sample before purchasing. I love the smell. I agree with the other reviewer ---it is a comforting smell, like milk and honey. I think that it is a great product and hope that they never discontinue it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* kaxel on 8/14/2011 6:36:00 PM more reviews by kaxel

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I received a sample of this. I actually quite like the product--it goes on nicely and melts right in. It's advertised as best for oilier skins, but in summer even my dry skin was quenched by this. The dealbreaker for me is the awful smell...like baby spit-up!!! (I thought maybe it had gone "off" until I read other comments here.) Smell is a big issue for me when applying facial products. Although the smell (in my case) didn't linger, it did make me cringe in dread each time I went to use this. I think it's important to enjoy putting a product on your face, so I wouldn't buy this.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Rin13 on 8/14/2011 3:12:00 PM more reviews by Rin13

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Grey    

Got this in a swap. OMG you weren't lying when you said it reaked!! Unfortunately I didn't read the reviews til I already made the swap. Had I known it smelled like spoiled baby formula, I wouldn't have given it a second glance. I tested it out on my hand out of curiousity. I wanted to see if the effect justified the smell... It doesn't seem to be anything special as far as its moisturizing effects... and the smell is just too bad. It's by far the WORST cosmetic/skincare product I have ever smelled. Everyone is different though. May smell good to you... Not to me

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*TOP REVIEWER* Rachel1234 on 10/28/2010 11:56:00 AM more reviews by Rachel1234

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I really like this product. It's sheer and lightweight on my skin, which is hugely important because I have very oily skin. It absorbs quickly and leaves a matte finish (which is good because I hate when a product leaves my face shiny), and it works nicely under my Bare Minerals Matte foundation. Allows my skin to feel 'natural' like it can breathe ... like having nothing on my skin, just clean, soft skin .... very nice. As for the scent, yes it does smell like baby formula, but I don't mind. It's not a bad scent, just .... milky. And it does fade fairly quickly once I put on my makeup. Overall, the Emollient Balm is a winner for me and gets 5 lippies. I'll definitely buy again. :)

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Kikster on 12/9/2008 5:06:00 AM more reviews by Kikster

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Other    

Got this as a sample. The smell was so disgusting, I really couldn't bring myself to even finish the sample. The smell lasts, too; I kept getting whiffs of baby formula smell and had to remember that it was actually my moisturizer. Aside from the smell, it didn't leave my extremely oily skin greasy or sticky. If only they would mask the smell; it would make this product usable.

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MoiraMoira on 12/5/2008 3:28:00 PM more reviews by MoiraMoira

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Olive   Hair: Other   Eyes: Black    

I have dry to extra dry skin. I think this would be good for Summer, but for Winter it's just not quite moisturizing enough. It's the middle of the day and my face feels tight. For normal-dry skin this would be much better even in Winter. I much prefer the DHC extra night cream. My face felt so soft and supple when I used that.

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mu46032 on 6/30/2008 9:25:00 AM more reviews by mu46032

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

This product is hard to review because the smell is so strange, that it is hard to get beyond. On first application, it felt nice but it smelled like baby formula, which I thought was kind of interesting at first. As the day went on the milk scent intensified and I could still smell my face by the evening (not a good thing). It reminded me of when my kids were babies and my clothes always smelled like milk. Also, it felt silky at first, but I think it dried out my skin a bit. It's not very moisturizing despite its name. DHC has some real winners, but unfortunately, this is not one of them.

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*TOP REVIEWER* signsoflife on 5/26/2008 1:37:00 PM more reviews by signsoflife

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have oily, acne-prone skin that occasionally needs moisturizer. I like DHC's Emollient Balm better than their Water Base Moisture, which left a strange, tight film over my face that interfered with my sunscreen and makeup application. The Emollient Balm does have an unusual smell, but I did not find it offensive, just different. It's kind of like milk or raw egg to me, YMMV. It moisturized my skin just enough so that it felt comfortable, rather than greasy. I really don't like the container but I may buy this again in the future.

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Plumblossomfairy on 12/2/2007 2:59:00 PM more reviews by Plumblossomfairy

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Fair   Hair: Red, Straight   Eyes: Green    

I bought mine a couple months ago and have found it to be just right for my super oily yet mature (40) skin. If my skin feels a little tight after cleansing, I put a little of this on before my sunscreen and it takes care of the dry, tight feeling without adding stickiness or shine which are the banes of those of us with the "curse" of ultra-oily skin. Hate the heavy glass bottle--it is not well-shaped for easy handling and it has slipped out of my hand(s) numerous times. It is a little pricey, but I use so little and it does come up for sale now and then.

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claudia61953 on 11/8/2007 4:22:00 PM more reviews by claudia61953

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I love this product. I find the smell a little unusual but not unpleasant. I use one pump worth on my face and another on my neck area. Then I apply my makeup, which is one of those mineral powder-based types. The Balm is perfect for me because I have rosecea, and heavy creams irritate my skin, but at the same time it is mature and dry, especially in cold weather. At night I use a heavier moisturizer and the concentrated eye cream. And in the coldest part of winter I use one of their heaviest creams (which I can't remember the name of right now) and that is all I need. I like these products and I LOVE the free samples and that you get to pick out what ones you want to try.

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sickgirl13 on 10/10/2007 5:43:00 PM more reviews by sickgirl13

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

STINKY!!!
I couldn't even put it on, smells like baby vomit!!

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LOVEMETWO on 8/28/2007 5:41:00 PM more reviews by LOVEMETWO

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

People say that hope in a jar stinks! This stuff seriously makes me want to gag. It smells like I rubbed a vitamin all over my face.I gag on vitamins though. YUKO!

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*TOP REVIEWER* flairgirl8 on 8/22/2007 6:51:00 PM more reviews by flairgirl8

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

A very lightweight moisturizer. Smells like powdered milk. Absorbs easily into the skin but is not long lasting at all on my combination skin. My skin feels great for about 2 hours and then this disapperars from my skin. Contains parabens.

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*TOP REVIEWER* princess_eab on 6/27/2007 1:08:00 PM more reviews by princess_eab

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This moisturized okay, but was almost too matte-- left my skin a bit powdery. It has a strange scent and I can't tolerate it as well as some of you might. I prefer Acerola Gel over this.

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shellyb4 on 5/5/2007 7:25:00 PM more reviews by shellyb4

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

EDIT - three weeks into use - I got itchy/tingly skin. I love DHC marketing but I've had a terrible time continuing to use their products. Very sad.

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cmcp on 5/4/2007 4:05:00 PM more reviews by cmcp

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I found this product to be so-so. For the price tag I don't think it's worth it. I got it because of my oily t-zone, hoping it would help keep back the oil and shine. It didn't do anything to help with that. Also, it made my face feel very tight after I put it on. It didn't cause any dry patches on my combo skin though. I ended up returning it because of these reasons and I suspected that it caused me to break out on my chin, can't prove that though as I was using other new products at the time, but my face has cleared up since I stopped using it.

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cloud7 on 3/21/2007 11:00:00 AM more reviews by cloud7

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

Despite the word "balm" in the name, this is a VERY lightweight moisturizer. I was hoping for something a little heavier. It does not do much for my very dry spots (cheeks) but it's nice for my t-zone. Sometimes I apply it twice over my cheeks and that helps. I thought the price was pretty good for the amount you get and the packaging is great (glass bottle with a pump). I hope this will work better for me in the summer! The smell is slightly sweet but not bothersome.

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escalades on 2/20/2007 11:53:00 PM more reviews by escalades

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

LOVES IT! This is my favorite DHC product (other than Deep Cleansing oil). I don't mind the scent, it reminds me of evaporated milk. Love the consistancy, it doesn't leave my skin greasy or sticky which is a big plus. I only need to use 2 pumps and it makes a huge difference. I like this even better than the Olive Virgin Oil and will continue to use this as my nighttime moisturizer (I use DHC Moisturizer for daytime) as long as they continue to make it.

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n8chiro on 1/9/2007 2:24:00 PM more reviews by n8chiro

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I was a little hesitant to try this because of all the comments about the smell, but I figured I'd give it a chance since one of the reasons that I love DHC products is because they DON'T have added fragrances. I am so glad I tried this! I have oily/combination skin and this has been wonderful for me. I have been using it under my MMU every morning for the past two weeks and am very pleased. It provides plenty of moisture without adding any extra oil. I still have to use blotting paper - but only once about half way through the day. I have also been using it every night along with my Deep Cleansing Oil, Washing Powder and Acerola Lotion(I was using the Acerola Gel but find this to be more moisturizing). My skin looks and feels great when I wake up -not tight from lack of moisture OR greasy from too much! (I also use Renewing AHA Cream, Acerola 100 and Mineral Mask on a regular basis) The Emollient Balm is a GREAT addition to my routine and I will definitely repurchase!!

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