The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm — Efficacy 4.1/5.0, Safety 4.8/5.0 | DemythSkin
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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm
The Ordinary

The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm

Lip CareLip Care
Efficacy
Strong
4.1 / 5.0
Safety
Excellent
4.8 / 5.0
System Verdict
This is a competent, barrier-friendly lip balm that mainly works by sealing in moisture, not by doing anything dramatic. The efficacy score is solid because the formula combines a strong emollient base (squalane, jojoba esters, plant waxes, triglycerides) with a meaningful humectant/NMF blend (betaine, sodium PCA, PCA, amino acids, sodium lactate), which is exactly what a good lip balm should do; it does not need treatment-style actives to succeed, and there are no obvious formulation red flags in the ingredient set.
Active Ingredients Detected
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
SqualaneBetaineSodium PCASerineAlanineProlineGlycineLysine HClThreoninePolyglycerin-3TocopherolGluconolactone
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
TrihydrostearinJojoba EstersHelianthus Annuus Seed WaxPCAGlutamic AcidAcacia Decurrens Flower WaxHydroxymethoxyphenyl DecanoneCalcium Gluconate
D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
What Each Ingredient Does
Squalane
Emollient and moisture seal
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifier and texture aid
Aqua (Water)
Solvent and formula base
Trihydrostearin
Structuring and thickening agent
Betaine
Humectant and osmolyte
Jojoba Esters
Emollient and cushioning agent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Wax and formula structurant
Sodium PCA
Humectant and NMF component
PCA
Humectant and NMF component
Serine
Amino acid humectant
Alanine
Amino acid humectant
Arginine
Amino acid humectant
Proline
Amino acid humectant
Glycine
Amino acid humectant
Glutamic Acid
Amino acid humectant
Lysine HCl
Amino acid humectant
Threonine
Amino acid humectant
Sodium Lactate
Humectant and NMF support
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient plant oil
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Light emollient and solvent
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Wax and texture stabilizer
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant and dispersant
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Sensory and antioxidant ingredient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant and oil stabilizer
Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, Aqua (Water), Trihydrostearin, 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.

Frequently Asked

Is The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm worth it?

The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm scores 4.1 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Strong) and 4.8 out of 5.0 for safety (Excellent) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a competent, barrier-friendly lip balm that mainly works by sealing in moisture, not by doing anything dramatic. The efficacy score is solid because the formula combines a strong emollient base (squalane, jojoba

What are the key active ingredients in The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm?

The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm contains no gold-standard actives — its formula is built on supporting and base ingredients rather than clinically transformative actives.

Does The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin flags these ingredients in The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm as potential irritants: Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil.

How is The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

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Analysis last updated: 2026-10-01. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score. DemythSkin earns commission from affiliate links (Amazon Associates and others). Scores are computed before any commercial relationship — the link follows the verdict, never the other way around.