Skin science article
Aquaphor Lip Balm Repair Stick Versus Blistex Five Star Lip Protection SPF 30
Aquaphor Lip Balm Repair Stick Versus Blistex Five Star Lip Protection SPF 30 This barrier-repair lip moisturizer is formulated around Ricinus Communis Seed Oil and Butyrospermum Parkii Butter to strengthen the lip barrier and hydrate lips. This barrier-repair
Aquaphor Lip Balm Repair Stick Versus Blistex Five Star Lip Protection SPF 30
This barrier-repair lip moisturizer is formulated around Ricinus Communis Seed Oil and Butyrospermum Parkii Butter to strengthen the lip barrier and hydrate lips.
This barrier-repair lip moisturizer is formulated around Dimethicone and Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 to strengthen the lip barrier and hydrate lips.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Beeswax
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Panthenol
Dimethicone
Water
Tocopheryl Acetate
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Tocopherol
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Octyldodecanol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Beeswax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
Dimethicone 2%
Homosalate 15%
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Butyloctyl Salicylate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Cetyl Dimethicone
Citric Acid
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Aroma
Microcrystalline Wax
Myristyl Myristate
Oryzanol
Ozokerite
Phenoxyethanol
Sorbic Acid
Stearyl Behenate
Sucralose
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Dimethicone 2%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetyl Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Aroma, Microcrystalline Wax, Myristyl Myristate, Octyldodecanol, Oryzanol, Ozokerite, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Stearyl Behenate, Sucralose, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne: In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.