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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz versus NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm .

Last updated on October 15, 2023. Published on November 07, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both lip moisturizers. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Lip Moisturizer American Brand United States
Lip Moisturizer French Brand France

Lip Moisturizer

Lip moisturizers help add moisture to the lips. They may come in the form of balms, gloss, scrubs, or oils.

Lip Moisturizer

Lip moisturizers help add moisture to the lips. They may come in the form of balms, gloss, scrubs, or oils.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators (3)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.

In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.

Learn more about Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 1.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.

As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 2.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 9.

3
What it does: Abrasive
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.

Polyethylene is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 5.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning

Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone.

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 6.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 8.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 25.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 9.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 15.

7
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Simethicone is a silicone. It is an emollient and used to reduce foaming in a product. It is also often used to coat sunscreen ingredients for better spreadability.

This ingredient is created by mixing dimethylpolysiloxane and hydrated silica.

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 10.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 17.

8
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 11.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 21.

9
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Disliked

Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.

As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.

According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.

In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.

Learn more about Aluminum Hydroxide

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 12.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 22.

10
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

BHT also helps stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Many products are sensitive to air and light. BHT prevents them from breaking down when exposed.

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 13.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 20.

11
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Disliked

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.

Learn more about CI 77891

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 16.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 32.

12
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77491

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 18.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 26.

13
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

This ingredient is the fixed oil extracted from seeds of the desert shrub Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil. The seed oil is liquid wax ester from the plant. It is non-comedogenic.

Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient. Jojoba contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect your skin against free-radical damage. This may help in anti-aging.

Jojoba seed oil is a humectant, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some bacteria. It has also been shown to help in wound healing. Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns.

It is found to be similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. Jojoba oil may even help with regulating sebum production.

Although jojoba oil is non-comedogenic, we recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have any concerns.

Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Jojoba is native to the southwestern US.

Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 19.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 13.

14
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz contains this as ingredient number 20.

NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm contains this as ingredient number 3.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

20% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
20% have no rating yet
13% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
22% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz 20 ingredients

Lip Cushion Nourishing Balm - Clear Quartz hasn't been rated yet.
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NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Lip Balm 32 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 rating

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