Panthenol Lip Balm, Ceramide Lip Balm: What Each Ingredient Does

Names like “Panthenol,” “Ceramide,” and “Hyaluronic Acid” often appear on lip balm product pages. If the names sound familiar but you’re unsure what each one does, this post will explain them all at once.

Panthenol

Panthenol is a moisturizing ingredient also known as provitamin B5. It has the ability to attract and hold onto moisture, so it is widely used in lip balms, creams, and hair products. In the ingredient list, it is written as “Panthenol” or “Dexpanthenol.”

Ceramide

Ceramides are one of the components that make up the lipids in the outermost layer of the skin. In cosmetics, they are used as moisturizing ingredients in the same family as skin lipids. In the ingredient list, they appear with letters appended to the name, such as “Ceramide NP” or “Ceramide AP.” These names distinguish the different types.

Sodium Hyaluronate

This is one form of the ingredient commonly called “hyaluronic acid.” It is a moisturizing ingredient that holds onto moisture, doing a similar job to panthenol in retaining moisture.

Why these ingredients alone aren't enough

Panthenol, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid are usually included in small amounts. They are often found toward the end of the ingredient list. So, just as important as whether these ingredients are included is which oils, butters, and waxes appear near the beginning. It is easier to maintain hydration when ingredients that hold onto moisture are combined with ingredients that seal it in.

Checklist for choosing

• Which of panthenol, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid are included
• Are there oils, butters, or waxes near the beginning
• Is there fragrance or menthol (if you are sensitive)

Gloshell Melt Lip Balm

Gloshell Squalane Melt Lip Balm contains panthenol, ceramide NP, and sodium hyaluronate. Near the beginning of the ingredient list are squalane at 200,000 ppm (20%) and shea butter at 86,970 ppm. There is no fragrance or menthol in the ingredient list, and the product contains 11 ml.

View on Smart Store