Skin science article
e.l.f. cosmetics Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm Versus Olehenriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment
e.l.f. cosmetics Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm Versus Olehenriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment This barrier-repair lip moisturizer is formulated around Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil and Butyrospermum Parkii Butter to strengthen the lip barrier and hydr
e.l.f. cosmetics Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm Versus Olehenriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment
This barrier-repair lip moisturizer is formulated around Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil and Butyrospermum Parkii Butter to strengthen the lip barrier and hydrate lips.
This anti-aging lip moisturizer is formulated around Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 and Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate lips.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Tridecyl Trimellitate
Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Diisostearyl Malate
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Microcrystalline Wax
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Octyldodecanol
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Synthetic Wax
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Parfum
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Tocopherol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Glyceryl Behenate
Propylene Carbonate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
CI 77891
CI 77492
CI 15850
CI 77499
CI 77491
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Parfum, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Behenate, Propylene Carbonate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 15850, CI 77499, CI 77491
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polydecene
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Cera Microcristallina
Silica
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Garcinia Indica Seed Butter
Euterpe Oleracea Sterols
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Tocopheryl Acetate
Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Linoleic Acid
Linolenic Acid
Oleic Acid
Lactic Acid
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Sorbitan Isostearate
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Dicalcium Phosphate
Tribehenin
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Citral
Limonene
Linalool
Iron Oxides
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Cera Microcristallina, Silica, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Euterpe Oleracea Sterols, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Lactic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tribehenin, Propylene Carbonate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Parfum, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
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.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
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.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.