Nuse Color Care Lipbalm Versus AMUSE Dew Balm
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveOctyldodecanol
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCaproic Acid
CleansingOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecanol, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Titanium Dioxide, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Microcrystalline Wax, CI 77491, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, CI 77492, Ceramide NP, CI 77499, Parfum, CI 15850, Sorbitan Olivate, Phytosphingosine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 15985, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Water, Geraniol, Citronellol, Caproic Acid, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Squalane
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPyrus Malus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentDiglyceryl Sebacate/Isopalmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingSucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSqualane, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyethylene, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Soluble Collagen, Boron Nitride, Diglyceryl Sebacate/Isopalmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Water, Glycerin, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 15850, CI 77491, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 ButterCi 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Ci 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 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 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 77492Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidOctyldodecanol 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.
Learn more about ParfumThis ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water