Shiseido Water In Lip Balm Super Moist Keep SPF 12 PA+ Versus Nivea Rich Care & Color Lip Balm SPF 20
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
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 StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Dipalmitate
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Simethicone
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBarium Sulfate
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyethylene, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Barium Sulfate, CI 19140, CI 15850, CI 73360
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicone. It has a high refractive index and adds shine to formulations.
According to the safety review by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, it is safe for use in cosmetics under the current practices and concentrations.
This ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateHydrogenated 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 derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
