How to Choose a Squalane Lip Balm: How to Read the “ppm” Number

When looking for a squalane lip balm, you often come across phrases like "contains squalane," "high squalane content," and "200,000ppm." They may look similar, but they provide quite different amounts of information.

What is squalane?

Squalane is a lightweight oil made by stabilizing squalene, which is found in skin lipids. It oxidizes less easily and spreads lightly, so it is widely used as a moisturizing ingredient in cosmetics. The lips have almost no sebaceous glands and a thin outer surface, so they dry out easily. That’s why lip balms contain oils and butters to coat the surface.

How to read ppm

ppm is a unit meaning one part per million.

• 10,000ppm = 1%
• 100,000ppm = 10%
• 200,000ppm = 20%
• 300,000ppm = 30%

"Contains squalane" only tells you that it is included; it doesn’t tell you how much. Products that state the amount numerically can be compared.

Check the ingredient list order, too

In Korea, cosmetic ingredients are listed in descending order by amount. However, ingredients at 1% or less can be listed in any order. If squalane appears near the beginning of the ingredient list, the product is likely to contain a substantial amount. If it appears near the end, it may be present in a small amount.

Why you shouldn’t choose based on content alone

A high content doesn’t automatically mean a lip balm is right for you. Here are some other useful things to consider.

• Texture: Whether it’s light like a gel or rich like butter
• Other moisturizing ingredients: Ingredients like shea butter, ceramide, and panthenol that coat the surface or help hold onto moisture
• Whether it contains fragrance: If you’re sensitive to fragrance, check the ingredient list for 'fragrance'

About Gloshell Melt Lip Balm

Gloshell Squalane Melt Lip Balm contains 200,000ppm (20%) squalane. It is listed second in the ingredients. It also contains 86,970ppm shea butter, Ceramide NP, panthenol, and sodium hyaluronate, and there is no fragrance in the ingredient list. The volume is 11ml.

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