Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Product Summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "e. L. F. Cosmetics - Essential Lip Kiss Balm" works well for improving skin hydration To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. E. L. F. Cosmetics - Essential Lip Kiss Balm ticks this box. Humectants in this product (caprylyl glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Petrolatum, vitis vinifera seed oil, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, cera microcristallina and copernicia cerifera wax in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- it includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.45% - 1.05%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
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 this lip sunscreen 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.
Works for
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Essential Lip Kiss Balm
Source: From product name
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, cera microcristallina.
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
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from its surface
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
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.
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 e.l.f. Cosmetics Essential Lip Kiss Balm | Current | - | |
 Too Faced Peaches & Cream Lip Balm | 53% | - | |
 Apa Beauty Apa Lush Lip Balm | 52% | - | |
 Clinique Pep-Startâ„¢ Pout Perfecting Balm | 52% | - | |
 Makeup Revolution Revolution Beauty Revolution Candy Haze Ceramide Lip Balm | 51% | $7.00 | |
 Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Nourishing Lip Balm | 51% | $13.30 |
Key Actives
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from its surface
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
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.
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
Potential irritants
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
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.
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from its surface
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
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.
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
Ingredient list view
Tridecyl trimellitate, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Petrolatum, Euphorbia cerifera wax, Microcrystalline wax, Cera microcristallina, Ozokerite, Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, Copernicia cerifera wax, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Menthol, Retinyl palmitate, Calcium sodium borosilicate, Silica, Neotame, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Iron oxides, Ci 15850, Ci 19140, Ci 16035, Ci 15850, Ci 45410, Ci 77742