NARS Cosmetics

NARS Cosmetics NARS Afterglow Lip Balm

Name: NARS Cosmetics - NARS Afterglow Lip Balm
Brand: NARS Cosmetics

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Edit

Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing

16 ingredients credited for this claim

Strong support

What the product description says

“NARS Afterglow Lip Balm a Hydrating Lip Balm Infused With A Blend Of Antioxidants To Nourish And Protect Lips. Total Temptation Meets Sheer Sensation.”

Source: Feelunique

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.

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: butyrospermum parkii butter, cocos nucifera oil.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tripeptide-1

Butyrospermum parkii butterKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~1.3–1.9%

SqualaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~2.2–3.3%

Cocos nucifera oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic~0.35–0.8%

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Hero· EmollientEffect: HighA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.15–0.5%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.55%

DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish~1.5–2.2%

TrihydroxystearinKey activeEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture~0.15–0.6%

Diisostearyl malateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin~5.4–8.1%

Dimethicone crosspolymerKey activeEffect: MediumUsed to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface~0.35–0.8%

Ethylhexyl palmitateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture~0.9–1.4%

Lauroyl lysineKey activeEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture~0.5–1.2%

Polyglyceryl-2 triisostearateEffect: LowHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~22–34%

Tribehenin· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.9%

Hydrogenated polyisobutene· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: LowUsed to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin~2.7–4.1%

Lactic acidUnder-dosedEffect: HighAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.1–0.35%

TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.1–0.4%

Anti-aging

Not advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claim

Moderate support

This product contains palmitoyl tripeptide-1. 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.

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Key activeEffect: MediumA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles~0.15–0.5%

Butyrospermum parkii butterEffect: LowA 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~1.3–1.9%

Lactic acidUnder-dosedEffect: MediumAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.1–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Gardenia taitensis flower extract

Medium risk

We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Gardenia taitensis flower extractUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.15–0.55%est.

Ci 15850A red colorantHigh~0.05–0.2%est.

Diisostearyl malateHelps to soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~5.4–8.1%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.35–0.75%est.

Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.1–0.35%est.

Comedogenic

3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

3 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Butyrospermum parkii butterA 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 radicals3/5~1.3–1.9%est.

Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture3/5~0.9–1.4%est.

Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~0.35–0.8%est.

Edit

Cheaper Alternatives

Similar formulations, better price

PEACH & LILY Collagen Cushion Peptide Lip Balm - Clear

55% match

$22.00

Dr Dennis Gross DermInfusions Plump + Repair Lip Treatment with Hyaluronic Acid

52% match

$28.00

View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?

No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Write a review · ~30s

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate~22–34%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate

Diisostearyl malate~5.4–8.1%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Diisostearyl malate

Glyceryl diisostearate~3.3–5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Glyceryl diisostearate

Polyethylene~3.7–5.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to thicken the product's texture

More about Polyethylene

Hydrogenated polyisobutene~2.7–4.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated polyisobutene

Squalane~2.2–3.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane

Triisostearin~1.5–2.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Triisostearin

Dimethicone~1.5–2.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

More about Dimethicone

Butyrospermum parkii butter~1.3–1.9%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

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 butter

Ethylhexyl palmitate~0.9–1.4%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Ethylhexyl palmitate

Lauroyl lysine~0.5–1.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture

More about Lauroyl lysine

Mangifera indica seed oil~0.5–1.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Mangifera indica seed oil

Sorbitan sesquiisostearate~0.4–0.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Sorbitan sesquiisostearate

Dimethicone crosspolymer~0.35–0.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface

More about Dimethicone crosspolymer

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.75%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Tribehenin~0.4–0.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Tribehenin

Cocos nucifera oil~0.35–0.8%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil

Sorbitan isostearate~0.2–0.75%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan isostearate

Trihydroxystearin~0.15–0.6%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture

More about Trihydroxystearin

Simethicone~0.2–0.75%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A type of silicone that helps to create nice product texture and is used as an anti-foaming agent

More about Simethicone

Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.55%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Gardenia taitensis flower extract~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Used as a fragrance

More about Gardenia taitensis flower extract

Glucomannan~0.1–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Glucomannan

Tocopherol~0.1–0.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

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

More about Tocopherol

Lactic acid~0.1–0.35%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.15–0.5%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-aging

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1

Iron oxides~0.05–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

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

More about Iron oxides

Ci 15850~0.05–0.2%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A red colorant

More about Ci 15850

Ingredient list view

Polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate, Diisostearyl malate, Glyceryl diisostearate, Polyethylene, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Squalane, Triisostearin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Lauroyl lysine, Mangifera indica seed oil, Sorbitan sesquiisostearate, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tribehenin, Cocos nucifera oil, Sorbitan isostearate, Trihydroxystearin, Simethicone, Sodium hyaluronate, Gardenia taitensis flower extract, Glucomannan, Tocopherol, Lactic acid, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Iron oxides, Ci 15850

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Amazon US

Price unavailable

Check

Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	NARS CosmeticsNARS Afterglow Lip BalmYOUR PRODUCT	PEACH & LILYCollagen Cushion Peptide Lip Balm - Clear	Paula's choicePlumping Gloss Balm Duo	RhodePeptide Lip Treatment Unscented
Match	—	55%	55%	53%
Price	$32.03	$22.00−$10.03	$40.80+$8.77	—
Shared key ingredients	—	4 of 6	3 of 6	2 of 6
Key difference	—	Tripeptide-1	Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38	Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Irritancy	Medium	Medium	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.

We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.

Open dupe finder

Product summary

"NARS Cosmetics - NARS Afterglow Lip Balm" is effective for: Moisturizing

This lip product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.50%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.