Fresh

Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Balm

Name: Fresh - Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Balm
Brand: Fresh

Efficacy 75/100·High irritancy · In 1 routines

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

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Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

11 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Good evidence

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: sodium hyaluronate, butylene glycol.

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, cera alba.

BEESWAXRole: HeroForms 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~4.5–6.7%

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDERole: Under-dosedA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~0.3–0.75%

CERA ALBARole: Key activeForms 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~22–33%

LIMNANTHES ALBA SEED OILRole: Key activeThis oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient~0.5–1.2%

RIBES NIGRUM SEED OILRole: Key activeAn emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.~0.35–0.85%

RICINUS COMMUNIS SEED OILRole: Key activeA 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~2.2–3.3%

SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS SEED OILRole: Key activeSoftens 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.~4.6–7%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.6%

THEOBROMA GRANDIFLORUM SEED BUTTERRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and might as well help to attract moisture to its upper layer~0.8–1.2%

TOCOPHEROLRole: Key activePure 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~0.3–0.7%

VITIS VINIFERA SEED OILRole: Key activeA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~1.6–2.3%

Irritancy

23 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 23 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.95–1.45%est.

Passiflora incarnata seed oilA plant oil that can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains essential oil that can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.9%est.

Commiphora mukul resin extractA plant extract might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skinHigh~0.35–0.85%est.

LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.1–0.45%est.

CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.1–0.4%est.

Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.

LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.3%est.

GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.3%est.

Cera albaForms 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 allergenLow~22–33%est.

Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens 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.Low~4.6–7%est.

Hydrogenated olive oil decyl estersHelps stabilize the product formulationLow~2.7–4%est.

Ricinus communis seed oilA 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 consistencyLow~2.2–3.3%est.

Vitis vinifera seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant propertiesLow~1.6–2.3%est.

Theobroma grandiflorum seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and might as well help to attract moisture to its upper layerLow~0.8–1.2%est.

Prunus domestica seed oilHelps soften the upper layer of the skinLow~0.5–1.1%est.

Ribes nigrum seed oilAn emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.Low~0.35–0.85%est.

Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateA vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)Low~0.35–0.75%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Low~0.2–0.75%est.

Ascorbyl palmitateBeing 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.Low~0.15–0.7%est.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinLow~0.3–0.75%est.

BhtA preservativeLow~0.15–0.65%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.2–0.8%est.

Hexylene glycolHelps create a more spreadable product textureLow~0.15–0.55%est.

Comedogenic

3 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin

High risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product textureHigh~1.3–1.9%est.

Crithmum maritimum extractAn algae extract that might have anti-oxidant propertiesHigh~0.35–0.8%est.

Hydrogenated vegetable oilAn oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skinMed~0.45–1.05%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels