Milani Keep It Full Maxxx Balmshell Plumping Lip Balm Versus The INKEY List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningMenthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCapsicum Frutescens Resin
CleansingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingCollagen
MoisturisingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningAroma
Linalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Glyceryl Oleate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantRosin
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Capsicum Frutescens Resin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Collagen, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Aroma, Linalool, Limonene, Sucrose Cocoate, Alcohol, Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Glyceryl Oleate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77120, Rosin, CI 15850
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides
EmollientGlyceryl Rosinate
PerfumingTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCandelilla Cera
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingBrassica Alba Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Glyceryl Rosinate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Candelilla Cera, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Squalane, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Behenate, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sucrose Cocoate, Brassica Alba Sprout Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Glucomannan
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate is derived from cetearyl alcohol and sorbic acid.
It is an emollient and helps hydrate the skin. Emollients form a barrier on the skin to prevent water from escaping.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHelianthus 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.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilThough this ingredient might sound like a juicy fruit extract, it's actually the fat pressed from the mango seed kernel (or the pit). In skincare, it behaves more like shea butter and cocoa butter than like a plant active.
The fatty acid makeup of mango seed butter makes it special; it's typically rich in stearic acid and oleic acid, with small amounts of palmitic and linoleic acid. This combo helps it melt on skin, feel creamy, and leave behind a protective "seal" that slows down water loss.
It also contains a small amount of "extras" like tocopherols (vitamin E) and phytosterols, which are often used to support skin soothing.
Due to its fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Mangifera Indica Seed ButterPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1This synthetic, signal peptide has unique skin conditioning properties in that is a matrikine-mimetic compound.
First of all, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 is a signal peptide; signal peptides tell the body to create more collagen.
What is a matrikine-mimetic compound?
This peptide has the ability to mimic matrikines in skin. Our skin created matrikines by breaking down matrix proteins into peptides.
Matrikines play a role in:
Though further research is needed, this ingredient seems pretty promising. In one study, women over the age of 40 with visible photoaging used a vitamin C serum with this ingredient for 56 days (15% ascorbid acid, 5 ppm palmitoyl tripeptide‐38). The results found improvement in skin roughness and skin tone.
This peptide is also part of the famous Matrixyl synthe’6, a blend of ingredients that also includes glycerin, water, and hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38We don't have a description for Portulaca Pilosa Extract yet.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSucrose Cocoate is created from the sucrose esters of coconut acid. Coconut acid is comprised of the fatty acids of coconut oil.
It is an emulsifier and skin conditioner.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sucrose CocoateTribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.
It is used as an emollient, or moisturizer. Emollients form a thin barrier on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Tribehenin