The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm

The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm
9.9
/ 10
Moisturizing
9.8 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity

Review

Results you may expect from using The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm:

  • Intense moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 9.9 out of 10.

How moisturizing is it?

Intensely moisturizing: The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm has a moisturizing rating of 9.9 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Rather occlusive. It has a very high humectancy of 9.8 out of 10, primarily due to the substantial concentration of Betaine (est. ≈4.0%), and a maximum occlusivity of 10 out of 10, mainly due to the significant content of Squalane (est. ≈55.0%) and Trihydroxystearin (est. ≈6.0%).

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Gluconolactone, an ingredient marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Gluconolactone provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
55
Squalane
10
Sorbitan Olivate
9.9
Water
6
Trihydroxystearin
4
Betaine
3
Jojoba Esters
2
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax
1.5
Sodium PCA
1
PCA
0.3
Serine
0.3
Alanine
0.3
Arginine
0.3
Proline
0.3
Glycine
0.3
Glutamic Acid
0.3
Lysine HCl
0.3
Threonine
0.3
Sodium Lactate
0.3
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
0.3
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
0.3
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
0.3
Polyglycerin-3
0.3
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Calcium Gluconate
0.3
Gluconolactone
0.3
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %
Squalane
Function:
Origin:
Sorbitan Olivate
Function:
Origin:
Water
Function:
Origin:
Trihydroxystearin
Function:
Origin:
Betaine
Function:
Origin:
Jojoba Esters
Function:
Origin:
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax
Function:
Origin:
Sodium PCA
Function:
Origin:
PCA
Function:
Origin:
Serine
Function:
Origin:
Alanine
Function:
Origin:
Arginine
Function:
Origin:
Proline
Function:
Origin:
Glycine
Function:
Origin:
Glutamic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Lysine HCl
Function:
Origin:
Threonine
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Lactate
Function:
Origin:
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Function:
Origin:
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Function:
Origin:
Polyglycerin-3
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Calcium Gluconate
Function:
Origin:
Gluconolactone
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
9.8
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
67.2
55.0
6.0
3.0
2.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
9.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 9.8 10
9.8
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 67.2 20
10.0
55.0
6.0
3.0
2.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
9.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 9.8 10
9.8
All humectants
9.8
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
55
6
3
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 67.2 20
10.0
All occlusives
67.2
55.0
6.0
3.0
2.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Gluconolactone
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
All antioxidants 0.3 3 No
All antioxidants
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
3
0.3
All soothing 3.3 5 No
All soothing
3.3
3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Squalane
Est. %55
Function
Origin
SqualaneAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient compound that forms part of the skin’s sebum. The main source of squalane had always been shark liver. Now, however, it is manufactured synthetically or derived from plant oils, such as olive and peanut oil.
Sorbitan Olivate
Est. %10
Function
Origin
Sorbitan OlivateAn ester of sorbitol (a type of sugar alcohol) and olive oil fatty acids. It is used as an emulsifying agent to stabilize oil droplets in water (or vice versa).
Water
Est. %9.9
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Trihydroxystearin
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Trihydroxystearin
Betaine
Est. %4
Function
Origin
BetaineAn ingredient derived from the sucrose in sugar beets. It has a negative chemical charge and a positive chemical charge on the same molecule. This allows betaine to be hygroscopic or humectant and thus provide moisturization by drawing water to the skin.
Jojoba Esters
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Jojoba EstersA mixture of various wax esters from jojoba oil. It is used in skincare products as a fantastic emollient, soothing, and occlusive moisturizing agent that won't leave a sticky, oily feeling on the skin.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed WaxA solid wax obtained during the refining of crude sunflower oil. The majority of the wax comes from the shells, or hulls, of the sunflower seeds. It is used in skincare as an emollient and occlusive moisturizer, helping to prevent water loss from the skin.
Sodium PCA
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Sodium PCAOne of the most important parts of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Sodium PCA is used in skincare for its fantastic humectant properties.
PCA
Est. %1
Function
Origin
PCAAlso known as pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, this ingredient is one of the main components of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (which prevents the skin’s surface from drying out).
Serine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SerineA non-essential amino acid, meaning that our body can produce it. It is the largest constituent of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor and is used in skincare as a humectant moisturizing ingredient.
Alanine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AlanineA simple amino acid used in skincare as a humectant moisturizing ingredient. It is a part of the so-called Natural Moisturizing Factor, a complex mixture of free amino acids and other water-soluble compounds found in skin cells.
Arginine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
ArginineA humectant amino acid used to attract water to the skin’s surface. It is a part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Arginine can also be used as a pH adjuster.
Proline
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
ProlineThe best humectant moisturizer of all the amino acids. It is a part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor and increases hydration in the top layers of the skin. It also has antioxidant activity and helps to heal damaged skin.
Glycine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
GlycineA humectant moisturizing amino acid that is a part of skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor. Some recent studies suggest that it may have barrier repair properties.
Glutamic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glutamic AcidA non-essential amino acid that serves as a building block for all proteins in the body. It is a moisturizing humectant and a part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of amino acids in skin cells that keeps them hydrated.
Lysine HCl
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lysine HClLysine HCl is a chloride salt of lysine, an essential, slightly alkaline amino acid. It has the same function as the non-salt version - it is a humectant moisturizing and emollient ingredient that, due to its sometimes undesirable aroma, is not often used.
Threonine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
ThreonineAn essential amino acid that may play a role in collagen production. However, more research is needed in order to confirm or deny these claims.
Sodium Lactate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium LactateA sodium salt of lactic acid. Its main function is as a humectant but it can also serve as a pH adjuster. Additionally, sodium lactate can also be used as a chemical exfoliant due to its close chemical relation to lactic acid.
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Adansonia Digitata Seed OilAn excellent occlusive (moisturizing) and emollient oil derived from baobab tree seeds. It is known to be a non-irritating ingredient on the skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideA natural occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient, it is a blend of glycerin and two fatty acids, caprylic and capric acid. It creates an oil-based protective layer on the skin, thereby preventing water loss.
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acacia Decurrens Flower WaxAlso known as mimosa wax, this fragrant, emollient, and occlusive (moisturizing) ingredient is rich in antioxidant phytosterols.
Polyglycerin-3
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyglycerin-3
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Calcium Gluconate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Calcium GluconateA white crystalline powder that can act as a humectant when dissolved into water. It is also a chelating agent.
Gluconolactone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
GluconolactoneA PHA derived from glucose. It has exfoliating and humectant properties and acts as a penetration enhancer for other ingredients. It has also been shown to assist in the treatment of acne and the prevention of photoaging.
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.