Review: The Ordinary Squalane and Amino Acids Lip Balm: Moisturising and Hydrating?

Where to purchase: The Ordinary: LINK / Asos: LINK / Space NK: LINK / Look Fantastic: LINK

Price: £18.50

Volume: 15ml

Made in: Canada

What is it?: A multi-use moisturising balm containing Squalane and Amino Acids to soften, nourish and hydrate the lips, elbows and cuticles. This does not contain Petroleum (I.e. the key ingredient in Vaseline) so it has a different, lighter texture.

What does it do?: Retain and seal moisture while softening the skin.

Aims to: Target Dryness on the lips, elbows and cuticles (with long-lasting hydration and barrier support).

Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types

What I think: I would agree that most skin types (even sensitive skins) could use this. I would however rather recommend for very dry and chapped lips, either the Lanolips 101 Ointment (it’s thicker and Lanolin is excellent for very dry skin – Swatches + Review HERE), or the Avene Cream Lip Balm (Swatches + Review HERE)

Vegan?: Yes

Cruelty Free?: Yes

How long does it last after opening?: 6 Months.

Packaging: Plastic bottle/tube that squeezes out product easily (you’re in control of how much you squeeze out). This comes with a cap on. The tip is also shaped so that you can apply product straight onto the lips. So far, this hasn’t become ”messy” or melted all over the place.

The Box (Front + Back)

Directions: Apply to lips as needed.

How I use it: I first apply the Niod Lip Bio Concentrate (Swatches + Review HERE), a lip oil/serum, and let that sink in (as it contains some well-ageing peptides), and then I apply The Ordinary’s Lip Balm on top, to moisturise and ”seal it all in”.

Note: A little goes a long way with this lip balm as it seamlessly melts into/slides along the skin, so not much is needed to cover the lips.

Why Amino Acids?: The particular ones included are Natural Moisturising Factors or simply Moisturising ingredients that help draw moisture into the skin and help hydrate the skin. I explain in more detail in this review post here regarding The Ordinary’s Three Moisturising Creams containing Moisturising Factors.

Key Ingredients: Squalane (an emollient) and Natural Moisturising Factors i.e. Sodium PCA, PCA, Serine, Alanine, Arginine, Proline, Glycine and Threonine (These are also Moisturising).

Other Moisturising ingredients: Betaine, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Calcium Gluconate.

Soothing Ingredients: Jojoba Esters (also an emollient) and Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone.

Emollients: Sunflower Seed Wax, Mimosa wax, Baobab Seed Oil.

Gluconolactone: (A Polyhydroxy Acid aka a PHA)

• this gently exfoliates the skin (gentler than Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid)
• Has long-term well-ageing benefits, such as decreasing fine lines on the skin (over long-term use).
• Good moisturiser.
• Helps improve the skin’s barrier.
• Does not make the skin more sensitive to the sun.
• Suitable for sensitive skins.

Full Ingredients: Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, Aqua (Water), Trihydroxystearin, Betaine, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium PCA, PCA, Serine, Alanine, Arginine, Proline, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine HCl, Threonine, Sodium Lactate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Tocopherol, Calcium Gluconate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate.

NOTE: The Skincarisma have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This has a very interesting texture This lip balm feels so lightweight and smooth on the lips, it almost makes the lips slide around each other they are so slick! It is definitely moisturising and seems to last long on the lips (as long as you’re not eating or drinking).

Note: This REALLY reminds me of the Previous (Now discontinued) ”Petrowhat?” Lip Balms that Deciem previously offered. I think it has the exact same texture as those too, as it did not contain Petroleum, and used Squalane as a main emollient ingredient.

Sticky?: No.

Greasy?: Yes because it’s a lip balm (melts into a balm-oil on the lips).

Balls up?: No.

• As you can see, this is initially an opaque texture as a ball. But when smearing this along the skin, it becomes very slick, glossy and thin (spreads out/melts easy and quickly).

Lip Swatch: No Balm (Top Lip) vs Balm (Bottom Lip)

Hopefully, you can see how glossy this makes the lips look.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No.

Summer or Winter?: All-year-round.

Layerable?: Yes.

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this balm is not sticky or tacky, and it has a shiny/glossy finish!

Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free (I don’t get a particular taste/scent from this).

Good Under Makeup?: I would not use this under a lipstick as it is quite ”slippery” and might be harder to apply. But this is great on its own.

How long have I been using this?: 1-2 Months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: Another ~3-4 Months (unless I use a lot daily, but a little goes a long way with this product).

The Effect?: Well-moisturised lips that feel smooth and look glossy.

How does this compare to NIOD’s Lip Bio Concentrate?:

• The Lip Bio-Lipid Concentrate by Niod (Swatches + Review HERE) contains 35 ingredients. The Ordinary’s Lip Balm contains 27, and they work on slightly different things.
• The Lip Balm contains more moisturising and hydrating ingredients (Focuses more on this). Whereas the Lip Concentrate focuses more on Lip Volume and Fine Lines (with some moisturisation)
• The Lip Balm contains Gluconolactone (Exfoliating), whereas the Bio-Lipid Concentrate does not.
• The Lip concentrate is more like a lip oil, whereas the balm is more like a balm (textural differences).
• The Niod Concentrate does not contains Squalane or these particular Amino Acids. It does contain however, Hyaluronic acid (the balm does not).
• The Lip Bio-Lipid concentrate contains 3 Peptides that are well-ageing (Matrixyl synthe’6 / Biopeptide El / Part of Matrixyl 3000). Review.

What I like:

• Fragrance + EO Free
• Gentle
• Moisturising
• Very smooth texture
• Lightweight
• Easy application
• Did not leak
• Makes the lips look glossy
• Doesn’t immediately disappear from the lips
• I like the inclusion of Gluconolactone (PHA)

What I don’t like:

• Might feel ”too smooth” for some and not think enough.
• The Niod Lip serum contains more well-ageing ingredients, perhaps this lip balm could have included them as well? (Although it could affect the affordable price)

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4 (nearly 3.9) / 5 – Overall, this has been a really nice lip balm to use. It feels smooth, lightweight and moisturising on the skin and does not disappear instantly on the lips. It doesn’t give a tingling sensation which I like. It makes the lips very glossy too.

• If you prefer a lip balm that stays on the lips for even longer, and also prefer a thicker texture, then you may prefer the Lanolips Lip balm (Swatches + Review HERE).

Would I repurchase?: Yes I would. It would be between the Pixi Collagen LipGloss or this Lip Balm since their textures are so similar/interchangeable.

Dupe?: This lip balm has an extremely similar texture is the Pixi Beauty Collagen Lip Gloss A tripeptide (three amino acids attached to each other: Lys-Val-Lys) that’s claimed to Syn-Coll protect and boost collagen and improve skin texture. And Collagen (to hydrate).

Available at: Pixi Beauty: LINK / Target: LINK / Cult Beauty: LINK

• The Torriden – Solid In – Lip Essence is a K-beauty alternative that also feels very smooth on the lip (very similar texture). It focuses on moisturisation too.

Available at: Stylevana: LINK

• The Lanolips – 101 Lip Ointment (Swatches + Review HERE) is a much thicker lip ointment, but it too can be applied on other areas of the body (i.e. cuticles and elbows etc). I really love this ointment and would recommend it to those with very dry and chapped lips over The Ordinary’s lip balm, thanks to the Lanolin and the thickness of this ointment.

Available at: Cult Beauty: LINK / Selfridges: LINK / Boots: LINK

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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