Aesop Protective Lip Balm SPF30
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 3 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 7 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: helianthus annuus seed oil, ricinus communis seed oil.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 strong irritants: Citrus tangerina peel oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil + 8 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ricinus communis seed oil~25–38%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Ricinus communis seed oilJojoba esters~6.9–10.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersPentaerythrityl tetraisostearate~4.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearateEuphorbia cerifera wax~4.9–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Zinc oxide~4.4–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideHelianthus annuus seed oil~3.1–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilTocopherol~2.3–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilGlyceryl behenate~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenateCopernicia cerifera cera~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Brazilian palm wax. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Copernicia cerifera ceraDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineCitrus tangerina peel oil~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Essential oil that can be irritating. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus tangerina peel oilHydrogenated castor oil~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilGlyceryl isostearate~0.5–1.15%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidLavandula angustifolia oil~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilCananga odorata flower oil~0.2–0.75%
Limonene~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.15–0.65%
Benzyl benzoate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateGeraniol~0.15–0.6%
Benzyl salicylate~0.1–0.45%
Citral~0.05–0.25%
Citronellol~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Ricinus communis seed oil, Jojoba esters, Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, Euphorbia cerifera wax, Zinc oxide, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Tocopherol, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Glyceryl behenate, Copernicia cerifera cera, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Citrus tangerina peel oil, Hydrogenated castor oil, Glyceryl isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Cananga odorata flower oil, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl benzoate, Geraniol, Benzyl salicylate, Citral, Citronellol
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Aesop - Protective Lip Balm SPF30" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: tinosorb s and uvinul a plus. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Aesop" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 64.50A$ in Australia, from 13.00£ up to 26.04£ in the United Kingdom and from 13.00$ up to 32.70$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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