Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Sun protection
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Product Summary
We are worried that "Desert Essence - LIP BALM, TROP FRUIT, SPF30" might not be able to provide reliable sun protection because it uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively weak concentration.
Sunscreen filters
This lip sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this lip product to be medium. 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 "Desert Essence" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 15.16$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Argan Oil and Vitamin E moisturize lips while Zinc Oxide provides SPF 30, broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Source: Walmart
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: beeswax, butyrospermum parkii butter.
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).
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
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
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
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
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
A plant extract that adds a sweat taste to products (for example, for lip products). Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
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
Sun protection
This product uses a single UV filter (zinc oxide) in a relatively low concentration and might not be able to provide a reliable sun protection.
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.
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 60/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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Key Actives
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
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
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
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
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
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
Potential irritants
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
A plant extract that adds a sweat taste to products (for example, for lip products). Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect
Comedogenic ingredients
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
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
All ingredients
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
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
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
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
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
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
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
A plant extract that adds a sweat taste to products (for example, for lip products). Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Beeswax, Cera alba, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cocos nucifera oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Tocopherol, Parfum, Aroma, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Isostearic acid, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Stevia rebaudiana extract, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Lecithin
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- Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreens
- Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen products
- Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorods
- ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cells
- Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care
- Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egypt
- Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
- Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries
- Efficacy of barrier creams in comparison to skin care products in dental laboratory technicians--a controlled trial
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Natural vegetable fats in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitis
- Stevia Rebaudiana Bert. Leaf Extracts as a Multifunctional Source of Natural Antioxidants