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The Organic Pharmacy Volumising Balm Gloss
The Organic Pharmacy

The Organic Pharmacy Volumising Balm Gloss

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Ricinus communis seed oil, Oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides + 7 more
Works
What the product description says
“Keep your lips hydrated and luscious with The Organic Pharmacy Volumising Balm Gloss.”
Source: Lookfantastic

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: cera alba, ricinus communis seed oil.

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~25–37%
Oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglyceridesKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~4.6–7%
Hydrogenated vegetable oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~3.7–5.6%
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~3.3–4.9%
Euphorbia cerifera ceraKey activeEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and thickens the product's texture~1.5–2.2%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighSoftens 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.~1.1–1.6%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.4%
Olus oil· EmollientEffect: LowAn oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~5.9–8.9%
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~0.35–0.85%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Mentha piperita oil
Medium risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Mentha piperita oilUsed as a fragrance and can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.85%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 consistencyMedium~25–37%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~3.3–4.9%est.
Euphorbia cerifera ceraHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and thickens the product's textureMedium~1.5–2.2%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.Medium~1.1–1.6%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.Medium~0.8–1.25%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Calcium sodium borosilicateUsed to add shimmerMedium~0.3–0.75%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 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
Hydrogenated vegetable oilAn oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin2/5~3.7–5.6%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Ricinus communis seed oil~25–37%
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
Olus oil~5.9–8.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Olus oil
Oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides~4.6–7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides
Hydrogenated vegetable oil~3.7–5.6%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated vegetable oil
Cera alba~3.3–4.9%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingCleansing

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
Rhus verniciflua peel cera~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Rhus verniciflua peel cera
Rhus succedanea fruit cera~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Rhus succedanea fruit cera
Distarch phosphate~1.3–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Distarch phosphate
Euphorbia cerifera cera~1.5–2.2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and thickens the product's texture

More about Euphorbia cerifera cera
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~1.1–1.6%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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 oil
Ascorbyl palmitate~0.8–1.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-aging

Being 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.

More about Ascorbyl palmitate
Anthocyanins~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Anthocyanins
Citric acid~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Mentha piperita oil~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance and can be irritating

More about Mentha piperita oil
Tocopherol~0.35–0.85%
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
Calcium sodium borosilicate~0.3–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to add shimmer

More about Calcium sodium borosilicate
Silica~0.4–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Tin oxide~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation

More about Tin oxide
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.4%
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
Titanium dioxide~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide
Ci 77492~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A colorant. Usually well-tolerated

More about Ci 77492
Ingredient list view

Ricinus communis seed oil, Olus oil, Oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Cera alba, Rhus verniciflua peel cera, Rhus succedanea fruit cera, Distarch phosphate, Euphorbia cerifera cera, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Ascorbyl palmitate, Anthocyanins, Citric acid, Mentha piperita oil, Tocopherol, Calcium sodium borosilicate, Silica, Tin oxide, Sodium hyaluronate, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77492

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
The Organic PharmacyVolumising Balm GlossYOUR PRODUCTKari GranLip Whip Treatment Balm - CinnamonBurt's Bees100% Natural Origin Moisturising Lip Balm - WatermelonThe Jojoba CompanyJojoba Lip Balm
Match—37%37%37%
Price——$5.34$6.86
Shared key ingredients—3 of 63 of 63 of 6
Key difference—Camellia Oleifera Seed OilLanolinCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE, Ricinoleic Acid, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Ethyl Ricinoleate, Glycol Ricinoleate, Isopropyl Ricinoleate, Methyl Ricinoleate, and Octyldodecyl Ricinoleatencbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Productionncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammationncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Efficacy of barrier creams in comparison to skin care products in dental laboratory technicians--a controlled trialncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax, Japan Wax, and Beeswax purelyprofessional.dk
  6. 6
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The Organic Pharmacy Volumising Balm Gloss
The Organic PharmacyVolumising Balm Gloss
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