Product Info

• Where to Purchase : The Ordinary, Sephora, Amazone, etc

• Price : $9.50

• Volume : 0.5 oz

• Made in : Canada

• Vegan? Yes

• Cruelty-Free? Yes

• Shelf Life After Opening : 6 months

What Is It?

A multi-use moisturising balm containing squalane and amino acids, designed to soften, nourish, and hydrate the lips, elbows, and cuticles. This is a petroleum-free formula, resulting in a lighter, smoother texture.

What Does It Do?

It helps retain and seal in moisture while softening dry, rough skin.

• Aims to : 

- Target dryness

- Provide long-lasting hydration

- Support the skin barrier

•Supposedly good for : All skin types

• My Take : I’d agree that most skin types, including sensitive ones, could comfortably use this balm. However, if your lips are very dry or cracked, I’d recommend either :

- Lanolips 101 Ointment

- Avène Creamy Lip Balm

Packaging

Comes in a plastic squeeze tube with a secure cap. The nozzle tip is shaped for direct lip application. So far, I’ve found it tidy, travel-friendly, and mess-free.

How I Use It

I start with the NIOD Lip Bio-Lipid Concentrate and let it sink in. Then, I apply this balm on top to moisturise and seal it all in.

**Tip : A little goes a long way. It glides on smoothly and melts into the skin, so you don’t need much to cover your lips.

Why Amino Acids?

They act as Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs), humectants that help draw and retain moisture in the skin. For more detail, I’ve explained NMFs in-depth in my review of The Ordinary’s moisturising creams.

Key Ingredients

• Squalane : Lightweight emollient

• Amino Acids such as Sodium PCA, PCA, Serine, Alanine, Arginine, Proline, Glycine, and Threonine : hydration

• Other Moisturising Agents : Betaine, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Calcium Gluconate

• Soothing Ingredients : Jojoba Esters, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone

• Additional Emollients : Sunflower Seed Wax, Mimosa Wax, Baobab Seed Oil

• Gluconolactone (PHA) :

- Gently exfoliates 

- Improves hydration and barrier strength

- Offers long-term anti-aging benefits

- Doesn’t increase sun sensitivity

- Suitable for sensitive skin

Full Ingredients List

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.

Texture

A smooth, lightweight balm that feels almost slippery on the lips, so much so, your lips might glide against each other! It feels deeply moisturising and wears comfortably without disappearing too quickly unless you’re eating or drinking.

**Note : This reminds me a lot of Deciem’s discontinued Petrowhat? lip balms. The texture is nearly identical, light, non-petroleum-based, and squalane-rich.

Performance Notes 

• Sticky? No

• Greasy? Yes

• Balls up? No

• Stings sensitised skin? No

• Season? Great for year-round use

• Layerable? Yes

• Fragrance? Fragrance and essential oil-free

• Good under lipstick? Not ideal as it's quite slippery and may interfere with application. Best worn on its own.

Usage Time

• How long I’ve used it : 1–2 months

• Will I finish it? Yes

• Estimated remaining time : ~3–4 months 

The Effect

It leaves lips soft, smooth, and glossy without that dry, tight feeling.

What I Like

• Fragrance and EO free

• Gentle and non-irritating

• Moisturising and smooth

• Lightweight feel

• Easy, mess-free application

• Doesn’t leak

• Makes lips look glossy

• Doesn’t vanish quickly

• Contains Gluconolactone (PHA)

What I Don’t Like

• Might feel too slick for some

• Could include more anti-aging ingredients like the NIOD serum though that may affect the price point

Overall Rating : ★★★★☆ 4/5

A lovely lightweight balm that’s easy to wear, non-irritating, and nicely moisturising. It doesn’t tingle or vanish too quickly, and it leaves a pretty glossy finish.

• Would I Repurchase? Yes, definitely. I’d choose between this and the Pixi Collagen LipGloss, which has a very similar feel.

• Potential Dupe? Pixi Collagen Lip Gloss – Very similar texture, with added collagen and tripeptides (e.g. Lys-Val-Lys).