Epicuren Anti-Aging Lip Balm SPF 15
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 3 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
Moisturizing17 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“A UV filtering anti-aging moisturizer that soothes and rejuvenates dry, chapped lips.”
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tripeptide-38
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“Anti-Aging Lip Balm SPF 15”
This product contains palmitoyl tripeptide-38. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Camphor + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale5 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyrospermum parkii butter~23–34%
- 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 butterPunica granatum sterols~4.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Theobroma cacao seed butter~4.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterBeeswax~3.4–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about BeeswaxCocos nucifera oil~2.5–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilCocos nucifera fruit extract~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera fruit extractRicinus communis seed oil~1.9–2.9%
- 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 oilOzokerite~1.5–2.3%
Cetyl alcohol~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilHelianthus annuus seed oil~1.1–1.6%
- 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 oilGlycine soja germ extract~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Palmitoyl tripeptide-38~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-38Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.9–1.4%
- 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 oilTocopheryl acetate~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAleurites moluccanus seed oil~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Aleurites moluccanus seed oilCamphor~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Vitis vinifera seed oil~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilRiboflavin~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Biotin~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might have some moisturising properties. Is not effective when applied topically beyond some moisturizing effect
More about BiotinNiacin~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A form of vitamin B3. It is similar in action to niacinamide, but is more likely to cause red flashes in skin as the side effect
More about NiacinMenthol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Mentha piperita oil~0.35–0.8%
Zea mays starch~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Zea mays starchSilica~0.45–1%
Oryza sativa extract~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A grain extract that helps to create a thicker product consistency. It might have some anti-oxidant properties and help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Oryza sativa extractCetearyl ethylhexanoate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Cetearyl ethylhexanoateSorbitan isostearate~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearatePortulaca pilosa extract~0.2–0.8%
Sucrose cocoate~0.2–0.7%
Acacia senegal gum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture
More about Acacia senegal gumParfum~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSucralose~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate3%
- Irritation risk
- High
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
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate7.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateIngredient list view
Butyrospermum parkii butter, Punica granatum sterols, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Beeswax, Cocos nucifera oil, Cocos nucifera fruit extract, Ricinus communis seed oil, Ozokerite, Cetyl alcohol, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glycine soja germ extract, Palmitoyl tripeptide-38, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Aleurites moluccanus seed oil, Camphor, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Riboflavin, Biotin, Niacin, Menthol, Mentha piperita oil, Zea mays starch, Silica, Oryza sativa extract, Cetearyl ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan isostearate, Portulaca pilosa extract, Sucrose cocoate, Acacia senegal gum, Parfum, Sucralose, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate
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Product summary
"Epicuren - Anti-Aging Lip Balm SPF 15" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this lip product is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 0.10% - 0.50%, octinoxate 3.00% (declared) and octisalate 7.50% (declared).
Irritation risk
It contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this lip product 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.
Price
The product retails at around 14.50$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
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