La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50+ Stick For Sensitive Lips Versus Kiehl's Facial Fuel No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Isohexadecane
EmollientHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Paraffin
Perfuming
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Isohexadecane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Paraffin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cera Microcristallina, Citric Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Synthetic Wax, Tocopherol, Parfum
Squalane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Paraffin
Perfuming
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Butter
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Saccharin
MaskingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Squalane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cera Microcristallina, Polyethylene, Isopropyl Palmitate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Paraffin, Synthetic Wax, Mentha Piperita Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Saccharin, Limonene, Linalool, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterThis ingredient is a petroleum-derived wax used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and help lock in moisture.
Like other forms of wax, it forms an occlusive layer on the skin to reduce water loss.
While it can be beneficial for very dry or compromised skin, Cera Microcristallina may not be fungal acne safe; waxes and certain hydrocarbons may contribute to Malassezia growth for those prone to fungal acne.
As with many heavy occlusive ingredients, it may feel too rich for oily or acne-prone skin types. Individual tolerance can vary.
Learn more about Cera MicrocristallinaCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIsopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
Palmitates are emollients. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.
When added to cosmetics, Isopropyl Palmitate creates a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Isopropyl Palmitate may not be fungal acne safe. It can worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitateParaffin is a solid created from petroleum. The term 'paraffin' can also refer to either
petroleum jelly or mineral oil.
It has natural occlusive properties which can worsen oily skin. Due to its petrolatum base, this ingredient is not fungal-acne safe.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It 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.
Synthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic Wax
