Why worry about clean lip balm?
There are many options when it comes to lip balm. It can sometimes be difficult to figure out which one is best.
We want to help. This is why it’s super important to be careful when shopping for lip balm.
You need Clean Beauty Lip Balm to prevent you from ingesting toxins
No matter how careful you are, there’s a good chance you’ll ingest some of the products you apply to your lips. That includes lip balm, but also lip gloss and lipstick.
In one small study published in the scientific journal Food and chemical toxicology, researchers examined data from 360 women aged 19-65 who regularly used lip products such as lipstick, body lotion and face cream.
Participants were given prototype test products and kept diaries with detailed daily usage information for two weeks. The researchers noted that lip products were of particular concern because of the greater chance of exposure through ingestion.
Meanwhile, other studies have raised alarms about toxic ingredients in lip products. In October 2007, the Campaign for safe cosmetics tested 33 popular lipstick brands and reported that 61 percent contained lead, with levels up to 0.65 parts per million, indicating a cause for concern.
Later, a study by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found lead in all lipsticks tested, while other studies found lead and cadmium in some lipstick samples.
However, these are colored lip products. Surely lip balms – which often have no color or tint of any kind – would be safer to ingest?
Is Clean Beauty Lip Balm Really Necessary?
We have fewer tests on lip balms than on lipsticks and lip glosses, but consumer demand has provided a little more information.
For example, in January 2024, consumer watchdog Leah Segedie of “Mamavation.com” released a report on PFAS “forever chemicals” in lip balms. After reviewing twenty products, Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory found “evidence of PFAS” in the products.
In particular, they found:
- 20 percent of lip balms tested had organic fluorine concentrations greater than 10 parts per million (ppm)
- 16 percent of brands had organic fluorine above 10 ppm
Organic fluorine is an indicator of PFAS. PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals that have been used for decades to make products stain, oil and grease resistant. They are ubiquitous in our environment and are now a problem in a wide range of products. Higher consumption levels have been associated with this health issues such as cancer and preeclampsia.
Mamavation.com noted that because lip balms are applied to the lips, they are easily digestible and should be considered “as relevant as a food product with indications of PFAS.”
In another study from the University of Iowaresearchers examined the lead content in lip balms that are highly desirable for young children. They tested 25 lip balms collected from various stores and examined them in the laboratory. They found lead present in all 25 products.
Some of these products came from countries other than the US, and some carried warnings stating “use under adult supervision.”
Further research shows that Clean Beauty Lip Balm is important!
The “Daily emailalso reported on a study of lip balms that found toxic ingredients. A French consumer group tested 21 products, including the classic Carmex moisturizing lip balm and the original classic nourishing lip balm from Labello, along with products from other brands such as Garnier, La Roche Posay and Yves Rocher. All were available in the United Kingdom (UK), and many were also available in the US and Australia.
The results showed the following:
- Most lip balms contain MOSH (mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons), which can be harmful if swallowed)
- Most products contain MOAH (aromatic hydrocarbons from mineral oils), which at high exposure are associated with an increased risk of cancer
A spokesperson for the British Cosmetic Trade Association denied suggestions that the lip balms are harmful.
Clean Beauty Lip Balm: Ingredients to Avoid
These are small studies so far and we need more research to learn more about what is in most lip balms on the market. In the meantime, it’s best to be careful about the products you buy and use. Just assume that at least some of that lip balm ends up inside you.
With that in mind, read ingredient labels and avoid lip balms that contain:
- Petrolatum (mineral oil): This is another name for mineral oil, which is usually extracted from petroleum, the same petroleum you put in your car as gasoline. Although these mineral oils are highly refined, they can dry out over time, leading to lip balm addiction.
- BHA and BHT: Manufacturers may use these as a preservative in some lip balms. They are butylated compounds that have been linked to health problems such as hormone disruption.
- Phenol/menthol/salicylic acid: These ingredients give the lip balm a tingling effect and can help exfoliate the lips, but they can also irritate and dry the lips.
- Smells/flavours: These are made from synthetic chemicals that are not listed on the label. Some fragrance chemicals can cause allergic reactions and even eczema.
- Chemical sunscreens: While it’s wise to protect your lips from harmful UV rays, most of the sunscreen in lip balms is chemical. For example, oxybenzone has been linked to hormone disruption.
Clean Beauty Lip Balm: what to look out for
While avoiding the ingredients listed above, look for the nourishing and moisturizing ingredients below:
- Natural oils: These are easily absorbed by the lips and are full of essential fatty acids that help plump and moisturize the lips.
- Beeswax: This natural product helps retain moisture and protect against dehydration.
- Triglycerides: These are compounds that combine fatty acids from natural oils with moisturizing glycerin. They protect the outer layer and soften the lips.
- Castor oil: Castor oil is known for its ability to penetrate deep into the skin and is rich in fatty acids that help soothe, condition and heal chapped lips.
- Vitamin E: This vitamin is a natural antioxidant and helps protect lips against premature aging and damage from UV radiation.
All these ingredients and more can be found in our Restorative Skin Balm. It’s made without the petroleum jelly, dyes, talc, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), or plasticizers found in some other lip products.
Instead, it contains toxicologically and clinically tested skin care ingredients, oils and butters that nourish, hydrate and help the skin heal. It’s perfect for chapped lips, and you can multitask with it by applying it to dry skin or cuticles and using it to help heal eczema, cuts, scrapes, and abrasions.
How careful are you when buying lip balm?
Featured image by Ron Lach via Pexels.
