Paula's choice

Paula's choice Lip & Body Treatment Balm

Name: Paula's choice - Lip & Body Treatment Balm
Brand: Paula's choice

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow

See all ingredients 100% recommend: 1 review In 2 routines

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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing

13 ingredients credited for this claim

Strong support

What the product description says

“On-the-spot relief for dry skin. This ultra-rich balm offers immediate and long-lasting relief for dry, flaky lips, cuticles, heels, and elbows.”

Source: Paula's Choice UK

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: beeswax, cera alba.

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: lanolin, petrolatum

Triticum vulgare germ oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).~0.5–1.15%

Jojoba estersKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.55–1.25%

LanolinHero· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighSebum of wool-bearing animals (most commonly sheep). Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce the skin water loss. In rare cases could be an allergen. Not suitable for vegans~3.1–4.6%

PetrolatumHero· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighOne of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss~5.5–8.3%

Ricinus communis seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~25–38%

BeeswaxKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighForms 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~1.6–2.4%

Cera albaKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighForms 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~2.2–3.2%

Copernicia cerifera waxKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency~0.95–1.45%

TrihydroxystearinKey activeEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture~0.1–0.4%

Ethylhexyl palmitateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture~1.1–1.6%

Hydrogenated polyisobutene· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: LowUsed to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.4%

Butyrospermum parkii butterUnder-dosedEffect: 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~0.85–1.25%

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~0.1–0.5%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

5 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 5 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

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 consistencyMedium~25–38%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 allergenMedium~2.2–3.2%est.

Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionMedium~0.55–1.25%est.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.Medium~0.3–0.7%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.Medium~0.15–0.65%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

Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture3/5~1.1–1.6%est.

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 radicals3/5~0.85–1.25%est.

Triticum vulgare germ oilA good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).3/5~0.5–1.15%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Ricinus communis seed oil~25–38%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

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 oil

Petrolatum~5.5–8.3%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss

More about Petrolatum

Euphorbia cerifera wax~5.2–7.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Euphorbia cerifera wax

Candelilla cera~4–6.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Candelilla cera

Lanolin~3.1–4.6%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingCleansing

Sebum of wool-bearing animals (most commonly sheep). Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce the skin water loss. In rare cases could be an allergen. Not suitable for vegans

More about Lanolin

C10-30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters~2.2–3.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about C10-30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters

Cera alba~2.2–3.2%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

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 Cera alba

Beeswax~1.6–2.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

More about Beeswax

Ozokerite~1.3–1.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to thicken the product consistency

More about Ozokerite

Ethylhexyl palmitate~1.1–1.6%

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

Copernicia cerifera wax~0.95–1.45%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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

More about Copernicia cerifera wax

Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.85–1.25%

Under-dosedComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

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

Jojoba esters~0.55–1.25%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function

More about Jojoba esters

Triticum vulgare germ oil~0.5–1.15%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).

More about Triticum vulgare germ oil

Bisabolol~0.4–0.95%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Reduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties

More about Bisabolol

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.3–0.7%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-oxidation

Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.

More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

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 acetate

Tocopherol~0.1–0.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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

Trihydroxystearin~0.1–0.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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

More about Trihydroxystearin

Hydrogenated polyisobutene~0.1–0.4%

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

Ingredient list view

Ricinus communis seed oil, Petrolatum, Euphorbia cerifera wax, Candelilla cera, Lanolin, C10-30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters, Cera alba, Beeswax, Ozokerite, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Copernicia cerifera wax, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Jojoba esters, Triticum vulgare germ oil, Bisabolol, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Trihydroxystearin, Hydrogenated polyisobutene

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Product summary

Judging from the ingredient list, "Paula's choice - Lip & Body Treatment Balm" works well for improving skin hydration

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: vitamin e and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Irritation risk

This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.

What our users say

Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product

When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer believes that it clogs pores.

Our users describe the finish of this product as matt, They find the product's texture to be light - heavy and In terms of the smell, our users report that no smell.

Price

The product retails for 15.00$ in the United States, from 14.00£ up to 24.99£ in the United Kingdom and for 21.00A$ in Australia.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.

Paula's choiceLip & Body Treatment Balm

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Paula's choice Lip & Body Treatment Balm

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Sources cited in this review