Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Sun protection
- Moisturizing
- Anti-aging
- Anti-oxidation
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Product Summary
We believe that "EltaMD - UV Lip Balm Broad‐Spectrum SPF 36" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because 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. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits 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.
Price
The product retails for 13.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
0% transparent zinc oxide Antioxidant protection combats skin-aging free radicals associated with ultraviolet (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) Water-resistant (80 minutes) Provides UVA/UVB sun protection Ideal protector for all skin types and lifestyles Fragrance, paraben and sensitivity-free, non-comedogenic
Source: Dermstore
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.
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (thioctic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - quercetin also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
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.
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Powerful UV protection and a super hydrating power make EltaMD UV Lip Balm the ideal protector for all skin types and lifestyles.
Source: Bluemercury
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: beeswax, copernicia cerifera wax.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: petrolatum
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 to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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 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
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
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
Helps softent the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Sun protection
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.
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
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection | |
| Anti-aging | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 90/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad‐Spectrum SPF 36 | Current | $13.00 | |
Aquaphor Lip Repair + Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | 51% | $5.49 | |
Supergoop! Acai Fusion Lip Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | 51% | $12.00 | |
 Neocutis Journee Riche Extra Moisturizing Revitalizing Day Cream SPF 30 | 46% | $52.20 | |
 O'Keeffe's OKeeffes Lip Repair Stick, SPF 35 | 44% | $4.79 | |
 Herpecin L Lip Balm Stick, Cold Sores/Blisters/Chapped Lip Treatment, SPF 30 | 43% | $7.99 |
Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide, Petrolatum, Ricinus communis seed oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Water, Lauryl laurate, Parfum, Polyethylene, Olea europaea fruit oil, Hydrogenated castor oil, Beeswax, Glycerin, Glyceryl behenate, Copernicia cerifera wax, Euphorbia cerifera wax, Hydrogenated soybean oil, Hydrolyzed caesalpinia spinosa gum, Microcrystalline wax, Caesalpinia spinosa gum, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbyl palmitate, Thioctic acid, Quercetin
- A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
- 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
- Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE, Ricinoleic Acid, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Ethyl Ricinoleate, Glycol Ricinoleate, Isopropyl Ricinoleate, Methyl Ricinoleate, and Octyldodecyl Ricinoleate
- Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Production
- Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation
- Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oil
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Galactomannans As Used in Cosmetics