There are many things to love about fall (pumpkin spice lattes are #1). But one thing we don’t love is the unfortunate correlation between cooler weather and rougher lips. As it gets colder outside, the skin on our lips ages faster, dries out faster and needs extra TLC. Staying hydrated isn’t the only way we should take care of our lips – they need their own hydration too!
While it’s ideal to always have a soothing lip balm close at hand, we’re never desperate enough to reach for any old lip product. Did you know that many lip balms actually contain ingredients that are harmful – not helpful – to your lips and body? We’ll tell you which lip balm ingredients to avoid, why they’re harmful, and which replacement products will protect your pout from buildup.
Common Lip Balm Ingredients
If you’ve ever glanced at the ingredient list of your average drugstore lip balm, you’ve probably felt like you were reading a foreign language. Many products have the scientific or medical names of their ingredients on the back of their packaging, which are not always easy to understand.
We don’t believe ingredients should be a big mystery, so at 100% PURE we’re clear and transparent with what we use, what we DON’T use (that’s why you’re reading this) and even include explanations in our blogs on how ingredients affect the functionality of a product.
Some of the commonly accepted ingredients we’ve seen for lip balms include beeswax, coconut oil, carnauba wax, and vitamin E oil. On the other hand, we have also seen ingredients such as lanolin, which is a fatty substance extracted from the skin and hair of sheep. Don’t forget lip balms with chemical sunscreen. If you’re wearing these kinds of lip balms with SPF, where do you think those chemicals go when you eat food or lick your lips?
Ingredients to Avoid in Lip Balms
Many common lip products struggle to prioritize health and quality over cheap and easy ingredients. Sure, the occasional rose extract or honey sounds great in a lip balm — but it’s usually just a which is presented ingredient. If you stop to read the full ingredient list, you may be disappointed by what you find.
Parabens
Parabens, a hot topic in the world of cosmetics, are usually one of the first ingredients we discover in lip balms. They are found as fragrances or flavors in many low-end lip balms, especially those marketed to younger customers. Lip balm ‘tints’, often found in the beauty aisle, are also big culprits of synthetic fragrances, which are meant to make the product more ‘tasty’. We use essential oils and natural food grade flavors to flavor our lip balms!
Ointment from petroleum distillation
Petroleum jelly, also known as petroleum jelly or mineral oil, is derived from petroleum. Since the process for producing petroleum jelly often requires the use of synthetic chemicals, the chances of petroleum jelly being contaminated by these toxins are relatively high.
Synthetic Colors
Popular in tinted balms or simply added for visual appeal, synthetic dyes are best avoided. These pigments are not often derived from heavy metals or coal tar, a byproduct of our friend above: petroleum. And, considering that many common red dyes come from crushed bug carcasses, we’re going to have a hard time.
BHA
Another no-no is BHA, used as a preservative in many cosmetics. It has been shown to have carcinogenic effects in laboratory animals, making it quite dangerous to use on your skin or lips. Keep a close eye on this one (and its cousin BHT) – they’re even listed as ingredients in some of the “healthiest” lip balms out there. Let’s be honest, who wants a carcinogen on their lips? Instead of using potentially dangerous preservatives in our lip balms, we use tocopherol (vitamin E) and anti-fungal rosemary to keep our formula fresh.
100% PURE Lip Balms
Reading the ingredient lists for lip balms will literally feel like a breath of fresh air – or should we say, as soothing as a healing lip balm. Our balm base includes rich and nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E and cocoa, coconut, avocado and sunflower oils. When it’s perfectly balanced with emollient organic beeswax and organic essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus, your lips can’t help but be happy.
Swap the paraben-free version for the real deal:
Organic peppermint
A rub of rosemary, mint and eucalyptus to heal damaged skin and freshen breath.
Cherry
A sweet cherry lip balm enhanced with nourishing vitamin E for irresistibly soft lips.
Lysine + Herbs
A truly healing lip treatment with long-lasting hydration delivered by coconut oil, sunflower oil and lemon balm. Treats cold sores or irritated lips with the antifungal properties of propolis and lysine. Lips will be instantly soothed by refreshing tea tree, peppermint and echinacea.
When it comes to 100% PURE lip balms, we have a list of super sweet fruit pigments that we rely on to create a rainbow of spectacular colors, plus happy, healthy oils and more to make the best natural and healthiest lip balm lips. for the world to enjoy. We know that hard work – and meticulous, natural ingredient sourcing – is worth the results!
Whether you’re looking for a lip balm with sun protection, low to high shine, or a balm to keep with you while you’re on the go, there’s something here for every face and place. To healthy, smooth and kissable lips!
Need help finding the perfect natural lip balm for you? Take our quiz to find out which soothing, emollient lip balm best suits your personality!
Frequently Asked Questions about Lip Balm ingredients
What ingredients should I avoid in lip balms?
When choosing a lip balm, you can avoid ingredients that may irritate or dry out your lips or that may be linked to health concerns, such as fragrances, artificial colors, alcohol, parabens, phthalates, BHA and BHT, as well as menthol, camphor and phenol.
Why is petroleum jelly (Vaseline) harmful in lip balm?
Petroleum jelly, commonly known as petrolatum, can be considered harmful in lip balm because it is derived from petroleum, which can contain impurities and potential contaminants. It also creates a barrier that prevents lips from naturally moisturizing, can clog pores around the mouth, and may not provide real nourishment to the skin due to its inability to trap moisture on the surface instead of allowing lips to renew themselves naturally.
Are synthetic colors in lip care products safe?
No, synthetic colors in lip care products are not safe: Synthetic colors can contain harsh heavy metals like lead and arsenic. These metals can cause allergic contact dermatitis and other serious skin problems. Synthetic colors in lip care products can also be made from petroleum and coal tar and can cause skin irritation, redness, itching and eye irritation
How do parabens in lip balms affect skin and health?
Parabens in lip balms are considered a potential concern because the delicate skin on the lips can easily absorb ingredients, including parabens, making them a potential route of exposure. Parabens can act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they mimic the hormone estrogen and can affect the body’s natural hormonal balance, potentially affecting reproductive health and increasing the risk of certain cancers, especially with consistent use. they can also cause skin irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin.
How do 100% PURE lip balms differ from pharmacy lip balms?
100% PURE lip balms are different from drugstore lip balms because we use healthy oils and more to make the best natural and healthiest lip balm the world can enjoy. The balm base includes rich and nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E and cocoa, coconut, avocado and sunflower oils. When it’s perfectly balanced with emollient organic beeswax and organic essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus, your lips can’t help but be happy.
