COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Lip Plumper
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Exfoliation1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“The COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Lip Plumper volumizes, smooths and hydrates dry and chapped lips.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: betaine salicylate.
Moisturizing8 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“It’s a lightweight gel-cream that can easily be scooped with your fingertips and softly melts on your lips for an effortless, smooth application that turns dry lips hydrated and dewy.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: butyrospermum parkii butter, diisostearyl malate.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: petrolatum
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Sorbitan sesquioleate, Mentha piperita leaf extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Petrolatum~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
More about PetrolatumHydrogenated polyisobutene~4.9–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobutenePolyisobutene~4.8–7.1%
Phytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/behenyl dimer dilinoleate~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Phytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/behenyl dimer dilinoleateButyrospermum parkii butter~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterDiisostearyl malate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisostearyl malateEthylene/propylene/styrene copolymer~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymerSorbitan sesquioleate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleateMicrocrystalline wax~1–1.6%
Vanillyl butyl ether~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture
More about Butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymerEthylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.95%
Water~0.35–0.8%
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateButylene glycol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolMelia azadirachta leaf extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractMelia azadirachta flower extract~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractCoccinia indica fruit extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect helping neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Coccinia indica fruit extractAmber powder~0.15–0.65%
Mentha piperita leaf extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance and can be irritating
More about Mentha piperita leaf extractSolanum melongena fruit extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Eggplant fruit extract. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Solanum melongena fruit extractOcimum sanctum leaf extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is rich in a fragrance compound eugenol that is a frequent allergen and can be irritating. It might also contain anti-oxidants to help neutralize free radicals
More about Ocimum sanctum leaf extractCurcuma longa root extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractCorallina officinalis extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
More about Corallina officinalis extractMoringa oleifera seed oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
More about Moringa oleifera seed oilMagnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateCitric acid~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBetaine salicylate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Exfoliating acid, a "relative" of salicylic acid
More about Betaine salicylateAnemarrhena asphodeloides root extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Anemarrhena asphodeloides root extractIngredient list view
Petrolatum, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/behenyl dimer dilinoleate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Diisostearyl malate, Ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Microcrystalline wax, Vanillyl butyl ether, Butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene glycol, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Coccinia indica fruit extract, Amber powder, Mentha piperita leaf extract, Solanum melongena fruit extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Corallina officinalis extract, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Citric acid, Betaine salicylate, Anemarrhena asphodeloides root extract
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| COSRXAHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Lip PlumperYOUR PRODUCT | Tom FordHydrating Lip Balm | Aceology USNOURISHING PASSIONFRUIT EXTRACT LIP BALM | Trixie CosmeticsBestie Balm Lip Balm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 55% | 54% | 53% |
| Price | $15.20 | $29.08+$13.88 | $29.00+$13.80 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Cholesterol | Oligopeptide-32 | Jojoba Esters |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"COSRX - AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Lip Plumper" is effective for: Exfoliation and Moisturizing
Price
The product retails from 15.20$ up to 19.00$ in the United States, for 35.99CA$ in Canada and for 39.95A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
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- 5Melia azedarachmdedge.com
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