Shiseido Water In Lip Balm Super Moist Keep SPF 12 PA+ Versus Laura Mercier Hydrating Lip Balm
Updated on January 17, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both lip moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Shiseido Water In Lip Balm Super Moist Keep SPF 12 PA+ 16 ingredients
Laura Mercier Hydrating Lip Balm 31 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Shiseido Water In Lip Balm Super Moist Keep SPF 12 PA+ 16 ingredients
Laura Mercier Hydrating Lip Balm 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
PEG/PPG-36/41 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Malic Acid
Buffering
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion Stabilising
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Dipalmitate
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Simethicone
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion Stabilising
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Porphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Sea Water
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Squalane, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Trimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polyethylene, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Water, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Butylene Glycol, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Sea Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Propanediol, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 PolyisobuteneMicrocrystalline Wax is created by de-oiling petroleum. It is highly refined and purified before being added to cosmetics.
Microcrystalline Wax is used to enhance the texture and create even consistency. It helps stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating.
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.
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".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneTocopherol (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 TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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