What Sephora says
What this product is supposed to do
A multi-use moisturizing balm designed to soften feel, nourish, and boost moisture within the lips, elbows, and cuticles.
Normal and DryDryness
Apply to lips, cuticles, and elbows as needed.
The Ordinarylip careTreat step
The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Hydrating Lip Balm, for Lips, Elbows, and Cuticles
This balm is designed for convenience, offering a simple solution for dry patches on the lips, elbows, and cuticles. Its straightforward formula focuses on immediate moisture and barrier reinforcement.
Sephora price
$9.50
Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.
Sephora reviews
3.3 / 5
About 570 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.
Shoppers keep mentioning
Without SiliconesGood for: Skin BarrierGood for: DrynessBest for Dry SkinAlcohol FreeFragrance Free
These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.
Glass take
3.3 / 5 overall fit
A basic balm for dry skin that offers immediate surface hydration and barrier support. It's a good option for targeted dryness, but don't expect it to replace a comprehensive skincare routine.
Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026
Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.
View SephoraWhat Glass adds
What actually matters before you buy it
This is a functional balm for localized dryness. It's not a treatment for complex skin concerns, but it excels at providing a quick, comforting layer of moisture where it's needed most.
Convenience and effectiveness
Users appreciate its multi-purpose nature and how well it addresses immediate dryness on lips and other small areas.
Best for
When this is a smart buy
- Dry lips
- Rough elbows
- Dry cuticles
- Anyone seeking simple, targeted hydration
Skip if
When this is the wrong lane
- You need a balm for extensive areas of dry skin
- You are looking for advanced anti-aging benefits in a lip product
Routine fit
Where this balm fits in
Apply this balm as the last step in your routine for targeted areas like lips, or as needed throughout the day. It can be used on cuticles after hand washing or on elbows before bed.
Why it works
Where it earns the slot and where it does not
The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.
What it actually does well
- Multi-use
- Fragrance-free
- Supports skin barrier
- Immediate hydration
Where it starts to feel redundant
- Basic formulation
- Low review count suggests it's not a standout product for many
Routine fit
Where it belongs in the stack
As needed
This balm is best used reactively, when you notice dryness on your lips, cuticles, or elbows. It can also be applied preventatively before exposure to harsh elements.
Glass rating
How this formula scores in real life
3.3/ 5 overall
A basic balm for dry skin that offers immediate surface hydration and barrier support. It's a good option for targeted dryness, but don't expect it to replace a comprehensive skincare routine.
Hydration
3.5 / 5
Provides a good layer of surface hydration that lasts for a reasonable amount of time.
Barrier Support
3.8 / 5
The squalane and amino acids work well to support the skin's natural barrier.
Full ingredient breakdown
Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care
Emollient
Squalane
Badness
1.0 / 10
A skin-identical lipid that provides excellent emollience and helps prevent moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
Watch for
None
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Olivate
Badness
2.0 / 10
An emulsifier derived from olive oil, it helps to blend oil and water components in the formula.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
Watch for
None
Solvent
Aqua (Water)
Badness
0.0 / 10
The base solvent for many skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Dissolving ingredients
Watch for
None
Emulsifier
Trihydroxystearin
Badness
2.0 / 10
A thickening agent and emulsion stabilizer.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Watch for
None
Humectant
Betaine
Badness
1.0 / 10
A natural humectant that helps skin retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
None
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Badness
1.0 / 10
Esters derived from jojoba oil, providing emollience and skin conditioning.
Usually helps with
Softening, conditioning
Watch for
None
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Badness
1.0 / 10
A plant-derived wax that helps to create a protective barrier on the skin.
Usually helps with
Barrier function, texture
Watch for
None
Humectant
Sodium Pca
Badness
1.0 / 10
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), it helps bind moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
None
Humectant
Pca
Badness
1.0 / 10
Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, another component of NMF, aiding in moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
None
Humectant
Serine
Badness
1.0 / 10
An amino acid that helps to hydrate and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning
Watch for
None
Humectant
Alanine
Badness
1.0 / 10
An amino acid that contributes to skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Arginine
Badness
1.0 / 10
An amino acid that can help improve skin hydration and barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration, barrier support
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Proline
Badness
1.0 / 10
An amino acid that plays a role in skin structure and hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin structure
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Glycine
Badness
1.0 / 10
An amino acid that helps with moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Glutamic Acid
Badness
1.0 / 10
An amino acid that can help hydrate and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Lysine Hcl
Badness
1.0 / 10
A salt form of lysine, an amino acid that can contribute to skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Threonine
Badness
1.0 / 10
An amino acid that helps maintain skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
None
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Badness
1.0 / 10
A salt of lactic acid, it is a humectant that helps skin retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
None
Emollient
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Badness
2.0 / 10
Baobab seed oil, known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Dryness, softening
Watch for
None
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Badness
1.0 / 10
A mix of fatty acids from coconut oil and glycerin, it's a lightweight emollient.
Usually helps with
Lightweight hydration, skin conditioning
Watch for
None
Emollient
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Badness
1.0 / 10
A plant-derived wax that contributes to the balm's texture and occlusive properties.
Usually helps with
Texture, barrier function
Watch for
None
Emulsifier
Polyglycerin-3
Badness
1.0 / 10
A polyglycerin that acts as an emulsifier and emollient.
Usually helps with
Texture, hydration
Watch for
None
Antioxidant
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Badness
2.0 / 10
A synthetic antioxidant that helps protect the formula from degradation.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
Watch for
None
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Badness
1.0 / 10
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin and the formula.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
None
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
Badness
1.0 / 10
A mineral salt that can help condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Watch for
None
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Badness
2.0 / 10
A PHA that acts as a humectant and mild exfoliant, but in this balm, it primarily offers hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Can be mildly exfoliating if used frequently on sensitive skin
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Badness
2.0 / 10
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Formula preservation
Watch for
Can be a trigger for sensitive skin in higher concentrations
Compare before you buy
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FAQ
The fast answers people actually need
Can this balm be used on my face?
While it's formulated for lips, elbows, and cuticles, it's generally safe for other dry patches on the face if needed, as it contains hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients. However, it's not specifically designed as a facial moisturizer.
How often should I use this balm?
You can use this balm as often as needed to address dryness. For lips, apply whenever they feel dry. For elbows and cuticles, apply after cleansing or before bed.