Softlips Vanilla Lip Balm Protectant SPF 20
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 3 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
Moisturizing8 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“07 oz sticks Hydrates, protects and relieves dry chapped lips Smooth glide-on formula enriched with skin conditioners”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, myristyl myristate.
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: petrolatum
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Dimethicone2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- 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 salicylate3%
- 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 salicylateBenzophenone-33%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Ozokerite~23–34%
Squalane~5.7–8.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 SqualaneEthylhexyl palmitate~4.7–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitatePetrolatum~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 PetrolatumMyristyl myristate~3.1–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
More about Myristyl myristateMyristyl lactate~2.3–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Parfum~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCetyl alcohol~1.5–2.2%
- 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 alcoholMyristyl laurate~0.6–1.35%
Myristyl alcohol~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to stabilize the product formulation while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be irritating
More about Myristyl alcoholBht~0.3–0.7%
Menthol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.4%
- 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 acetateTocopherol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolIngredient list view
Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Benzophenone-3, Ozokerite, Squalane, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Petrolatum, Myristyl myristate, Myristyl lactate, Parfum, Cetyl alcohol, Myristyl laurate, Myristyl alcohol, Bht, Menthol, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol
Compare prices
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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.
| SoftlipsVanilla Lip Balm Protectant SPF 20YOUR PRODUCT | Herpecin LLip Balm Stick, Cold Sores/Blisters/Chapped Lip Treatment, SPF 30 | AquaphorLip Repair + Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | O'Keeffe'sOKeeffes Lip Repair Stick, SPF 35 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 55% | 54% |
| Price | $13.60 | $7.99−$5.61 | $4.76−$8.84 | $4.79−$8.81 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Mineral Oil | Panthenol | Avobenzone |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 35 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We do not recommend "Softlips - Vanilla Lip Balm Protectant SPF 20" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 3.00% (declared), octinoxate 7.50% (declared) and octisalate 3.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This lip sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 10.00$ up to 20.99$ 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.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 6Cosmetic allergy from myristyl alcoholncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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