1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Hexadecanoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester; Octyl palmitate
Hydration
Alpha-H
Melting Moment Cleansing Balm
face neck eyes cleansing balm
Alpha-H
Melting Moment Cleansing Balm
face neck eyes cleansing balm
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
Dry
99%
Combination (dry)
99%
Balanced
69%
Combination (oily)
39%
Oily
39%
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10
Ingredients
4
Benefits
0
Actives
A delicious formula that’s made to give you a deep cleanse and a moment’s respite, the Melting Moment Cleansing Balm with Wild Orange Leaf Extract combines skin care and self care into one luxurious balm-to-oil cleanser. Under strict instructions to create something ‘truly innovative’, the brains behind Alpha-H knew they needed something that would overhaul your skin routine in a matter of moments. In fact, this cleanser was made under the assumption that it would be applied and then washed off in seconds — making it perfect for busy bees or those who’re simply too tired to spend precious minutes on their skin each night — using fast-acting ingredients that activate in a flash, without having to sit on skin while you wait. Laced with antioxidants and rich in Australian wild orange extract (which is bursting with amino acids to maintain skin hydration) this cleanser brightens, protects, calms, supports skin barrier function and regulates sebum production without disrupting your natural pH.
Key Insights
Benefits
4
Anti-Aging
Evens Skin Tone
Hydration
Soothing
Full Ingredients
10 total
About Melting Moment Cleansing Balm
Overview
Melting Moment Cleansing Balm is a rich cleansing balm from Alpha-H, a brand based in Australia. The ingredient list runs to 9 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
Texture and finish
By its ingredient list the formula reads as rich: occlusives and butters sit high enough in the order to give it real weight on skin. The oils in it point to a dewy, emollient finish rather than a matte one.
What the formula does
Hydration: Moderate. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Ethylhexyl Palmitate.
Who it suits
On richness alone it suits Dry and Combination (dry) skin best, and is the least natural fit for Combination (oily) and Oily skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
What it does not target
The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, oil control, cell renewal and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it. One ingredient on the label has not been matched to our database yet, so the analysis above reads a slightly incomplete list.
Where it fits in a routine
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes before moisturiser. Tap along the orbital bone with your ring finger; product migrates upward on its own.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Pros and cons
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Pros
- No common irritants flagged in the list
Things to know
- 4 ingredients could feed malassezia (fungal acne)
- Part of the label has not been matched to our ingredient database yet
Which skin types it suits
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
Suitable for
- Dry skin
- Combination (dry) skin
May suit
- Balanced skin
Less suitable for
- Combination (oily) skin
- Oily skin
Sensitive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Skin concerns
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Helps with
-
Anti-Aging 2 ingredients
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
-
Soothing 2 ingredients
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
-
Evens Skin Tone 1 ingredient
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
-
Hydration 1 ingredient
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Does not target
Anti-Acne
Blackhead Reducing
Dark Spot Fading
Oil Control
Pore Minimizer
Smooths Bumpy Skin
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
Key ingredients
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol; .alpha.-tocopherol; Vitamin E
Anti-Aging
Evens Skin Tone
Soothing
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
(R*,R*)-.alpha.,4-dimethyl-.alpha.-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)cyclohex-3-ene-1-methanol; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (theta,theta)-(+/-)-; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (S-(theta,theta))- (levomenol)
Soothing
Anti-Aging
Formula analysis
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Hydration
Moderate
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Barrier support
None
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Antioxidant support
Low
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Oil control
None
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Brightening
Low
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Soothing
Low
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Cell renewal
None
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Firmness signalling
None
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
What is and is not in it
Part of this label has not been matched to our ingredient database, so only what is present is listed — no absence is claimed.
Contains
-
Facial oils
Poly(dimer Grapeseed Oil), Cuphea Viscosissima Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
What to layer it with
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Compatible with
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
- AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
- BHA (salicylic acid)
- PHAs (gluconolactone)
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Azelaic acid
- Copper peptides
- Bakuchiol
- Niacinamide
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramides
- Signal peptides
- Panthenol
- Sunscreen
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
Where it fits in a routine
Morning
Evening
- Cleanse
- Toning
- Eye
- Moisturise
- Protect
This product is the "Eye" step.
- Tap along the orbital bone with your ring finger; product migrates upward on its own.
Safety and suitability
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
- Fungal acne (malassezia)
- 4 ingredients could feed malassezia: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Poly(dimer Grapeseed Oil), Cuphea Viscosissima Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil. That is about the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that you will break out.
- Sensitive and reactive skin
- No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Ingredients by function
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 9 ingredients on the label.
4
Emollient
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
2
Antioxidant
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
1
Soothing
Calms visible redness and irritation
1
Humectant
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
1
Occlusive
Forms a film that slows water loss
1
Preservative
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
1
Solvent
Dissolves and carries everything else
1
Texture agent
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Ingredient breakdown
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
- Estimated level
- 10–40%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Emollient
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Hexadecanoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester; Octyl palmitate
Hydration
5 scientific references
- Dermatology Clinics and Research, August 2019, pages 239-271
- Clinical Medicine and Research, December 2017, pages 75-87
- International Journal of Toxicology, Volume 34, Issue 2, Supplement, September 2015, pages 5S-69S
- Molecules, February 2015, pages 2, 492-2, 509
- British Journal of Dermatology, October 2010, pages 695-703
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Occlusive, Texture agent
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Poly(Dimer Grapeseed Oil) is the polymer produced by the dimerization of Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil via a Diels-Alder reaction
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Humectant, Emollient, Antioxidant
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185 Oil is the oil obtained from the microalgae Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185, grown in culture.
4
Citrol
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Emollient, Solvent
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Cuphea Viscosissima Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of Cuphea viscosissima
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Emollient
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil is the fixed oil expressed or extracted from seeds of the desert shrub, Jojoba, Simmondsia chinensis, Buxaceae
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Antioxidant
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol; .alpha.-tocopherol; Vitamin E
Anti-Aging
Evens Skin Tone
Soothing
4 scientific references
- Journal or Agricultural and Food Chemistry, June 2010, pages 7013-7020
- Journal of Investigative Dermatology, November 2001, pages 1212-1217
- Canadian Family Physician, July 2006, pages 855-856
- Dermatologic Surgery, April 1999, pages 311-315
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Preservative
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Phenoxyethanol
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Soothing
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
(R*,R*)-.alpha.,4-dimethyl-.alpha.-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)cyclohex-3-ene-1-methanol; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (theta,theta)-(+/-)-; 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, alpha,4-dimethyl-alpha-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (S-(theta,theta))- (levomenol)
Soothing
Anti-Aging
6 scientific references
- CosmeticsInfoorg, Accessed May 2021, ePublication
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2019, pages 299-303
- International Journal of Toxicology, September 2017, pages 24S-25S
- Cutis, November 2015, pages 337-342
- Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2014, pages 173-181
- Food and Chemical Toxicology, October 2011, pages 2580-2585
Not yet matched to our database
These are printed on the label but have not been linked to an ingredient record yet, so they are excluded from the analysis above.
Cetiol Cc
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Shares 2 key ingredients with Melting Moment Cleansing Balm: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopherol
Frequently asked questions
What ingredients are in Melting Moment Cleansing Balm?
ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, POLY(DIMER GRAPESEED OIL), THRAUSTOCHYTRIUM SP. ATCC 26185 OIL, CITROL, CUPHEA VISCOSISSIMA SEED OIL, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS SEED OIL, TOCOPHEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, BISABOLOL.
How do I use Melting Moment Cleansing Balm?
Apply a grape-sized amount onto dry skin, gently massaging over face, neck and décolletage with light, circular motions. Can be used around the delicate eye area and eyelashes if wearing eye makeup. Add water to emulsify the formulation, continuously working in circular motions. Rinse off with a warm damp face cloth for enhanced resurfacing and makeup removal. Pat skin dry. If you desire, follow with a second cleanse, using either Melting Moment Cleansing Balm or your preferred evening cleanser. Pro Tip: The balm can be left on as a deeply hydrating face mask. Simply massage onto face, neck and décolletage, and leave for up to 10-minutes before rinsing with a warm damp face cloth.
What skin types is Melting Moment Cleansing Balm good for?
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Dry, Combination (dry) skin best. It is the least natural fit for Combination (oily), Oily skin.
Is Melting Moment Cleansing Balm good for sensitive skin?
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Is Melting Moment Cleansing Balm fungal acne safe?
4 ingredients could feed malassezia: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Poly(dimer Grapeseed Oil), Cuphea Viscosissima Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that they will cause a breakout.
Can I use Melting Moment Cleansing Balm while pregnant?
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
What can I layer with Melting Moment Cleansing Balm?
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
When should I apply Melting Moment Cleansing Balm?
Use it morning and evening, before moisturiser.
How many ingredients does Melting Moment Cleansing Balm have?
It lists 9 ingredients, of which 0 are recorded as actives.
Who makes Melting Moment Cleansing Balm?
Alpha-H, a brand based in Australia.
Brand
Alpha-H
Country
Australia