Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum Review

Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum
5.9
/ 10
Moisturizing
1.8 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
0.6Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum has to offer:
 
  • Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.9 out of 10, impaired by the lack of humectants.
  • Slight anti-wrinkle effect: Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 0.6 out of 10, so you may expect a positive, although insignificant, effect on wrinkles.
  • Soothing: Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum:
 

Very Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.9 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more occlusive. It has a low Humectancy of 1.8 out of 10 and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil (est. ≈50.0%), Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil (est. ≈22.0%) and Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (est. ≈11.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Slight Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum has a slight anti-wrinkle rating of 0.6 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (est. ≈0.3%), 
 the only derivative of ascorbic acid with solid evidence of anti-wrinkle efficacy. A single clinical study involving 23 participants (Mariko et al.) demonstrated that a cream with 1% ATIP reduced the average depth of periorbital wrinkles by 6% after 8 weeks of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without ATIP).
 
Among others, Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum also contains Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not contribute to the anti-wrinkle rating.
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil (est. ≈50.0%) and Borago Officinalis Seed Oil (est. ≈6.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Borago Officinalis Seed Oil (est. ≈6.0%), Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil (est. ≈4.0%) and Echinacea Angustifolia Extract (est. ≈2.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum to your skincare routine:
 

Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

Needs to Be Paired with Extra Humectants for Optimal Moisturizing Efficacy

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum contains a low level of humectants.

People with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding more humectants to their moisturizing routine beyond what this product offers. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

Pros & Cons of Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Grounded Sage Balance Facial Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Provides the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin
  • Provides slight anti-wrinkle efficacy
  • Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
  • Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients like Borago Officinalis Seed Oil and Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil

Cons: 

  • May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry
  • Ideally needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
50
22
11
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Function:
Origin:
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Function:
Origin:
Echinacea Angustifolia Extract
Function:
Origin:
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
1.8
1.5
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
89.3
50.0
22.0
11.0
6.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 1.8 10
1.8
1.5
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 89.3 20
10.0
50.0
22.0
11.0
6.0
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
1.5
0.3
All humectants 1.8 10
1.8
All humectants
1.8
1.5
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
50
22
11
6
0.3
All occlusives 89.3 20
10.0
All occlusives
89.3
50.0
22.0
11.0
6.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
2 /10 1 0.3 0.6
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0.6
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
0.6
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
2 /10
when present at, %
1
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
50
6
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 59.4 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
59.4
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
50
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
6
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
1.5
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
1
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
0.3
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
6
4
2
1.5
1
0.3
All soothing 14.8 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
14.8
6
4
2
1.5
1
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Est. %50
Function
Origin
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed OilAn emollient and occlusive moisturizing oil derived from grape seeds that are leftover after juicing or wine production. It contains linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, squalene, as well as phytosterols and various antioxidant compounds.
Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed OilAn oil cold-pressed from pumpkin seeds. It mainly contains emollient and occlusive fatty acids and phytosterols, as well as unusually high levels of antioxidant vitamin E and carotenoids.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Est. %11
Function
Origin
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed OilA liquid plant wax, also known as Jojoba oil, pressed from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis. These seeds can contain up to 50% of liquid wax. It is used as an occlusive moisturizer, emollient, and emulsifier.
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Borago Officinalis Seed OilA fatty emollient and occlusive oil expressed from the seeds of borage flowers. It has a uniquely high content of a rare gamma-linolenic acid and also contains squalene, phytosterols, and vitamin E.
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Anthemis Nobilis Flower OilDistilled from the flowers of Roman chamomile, this fragrant essential oil is mainly constituted of esters of angelic and tiglic acid, which give it a sweet, crisp, fruity, and herbaceous scent.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) OilAn essential oil derived from common, or true, lavender. It is used in skincare for its lovely, calming scent. Like all essential oils, however, it may cause a contact skin allergy in more sensitive individuals.
Echinacea Angustifolia Extract
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Echinacea Angustifolia Extract
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root ExtractAn extract from the licorice root. It contains a well-researched anti-inflammatory compound called glycyrrhizin that can reduce inflammation. Licorice root extract is also used for its powerful antioxidant effects and ability to treat pigmentation.
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Calendula Officinalis Flower ExtractAn extract derived from the flowers of the pot marigold. Its yellow to bright orange flowers contain carotenoids, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. They all have fantastic anti-inflammatory activity and can help to soothe inflamed skin.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

An antioxidant green tea extract. In the deeper layers, it slows down the destruction of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – thus delaying the signs of aging. It also acts as an anti-acne, soothing, moisturizing, and emollient ingredient.

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (ATIP) is an oil-soluble derivative of ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. It is more stable than ascorbic acid, with studies supporting its collagen-boosting and anti-pigment effects.

Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate