Beware of your lip balm!
With the change in seasons, the cooler weather and crisp winds, you may notice you’re reaching for your lip balm more often than usual. Have you also noticed the more you apply your lip balm, the more frequently you are re-applying, and re-applying, as the relief of dryness is short-lived? Have you ever thought about what you are putting on your lips? About what ingredients go into making your favourite lip balm?
For years the beauty industry has relied on petroleum-based ingredients for all types of cosmetics for its barrier like properties to help seal in moisture. Unfortunately, there are plenty of “natural” lip balms that use petroleum in their products, many of which do not list it as an ingredient. This is alarming for two key reasons:
- Petroleum is a non-renewable source that can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Long term exposure to these PAHs is associated with cancer and because of this the European Union has classified petroleum as a carcinogen, which means products such as your favourite lip balm that may contain petroleum, are banned from sale in the EU. PAH’s in petroleum have also been associated with skin irritations and allergies and ingestion of petroleum (such as licking your lips after applying your lip balm!) can lead to digestive upset and diarrhoea.
- Petroleum jelly doesn’t actually have a healing effect as it absorbs into your lips. As mentioned above, it creates a seal or barrier and prevents air from drying your lips out. In the long run however, this prevents your lips from producing natural new layers of skin, so it can’t repair itself and in turn makes your lips more chapped, meaning you continue to re-apply your lip balm, repeating the cycle.
One of the most popular lip balms in Australia, Lucas’ Paw Paw Ointment, contains petroleum. It even declares it as an ingredient on its website. The clever marketing of this product makes the bold claim the active ingredient is the fermented fresh paw paw, but at a measly 4% of the total ingredients, the paw paw content is miniscule compared to the petroleum jelly that make up the majority of the formula.
So what are the alternatives?
There a loads of options when it comes to keeping your lips supple and healthy. When seeking out a lip balm there are two non-negotiables:
1. Check it’s organic
2. Read the full ingredient list – ensure all elements are plant-based and if there is an ingredient you can’t pronounce? Be wary. Plant-based ingredients are often listed with both their botanical and common names which is helpful to distinguish if the ingredient is good for you, any nasty ingredients will be listed with a complex scientific name and nothing else!
Two products we rave about here at Mullen Health are P’ure Papaya Ointment which is petroleum, preservative and palm oil free, made in Australia and not tested on animals. It also contains beneficial ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil and vitamin E. Hurrah Lip Balms are also fantastic and come in so many flavours as well as nice tinted shades. Hurrah is certified organic and cruelty free! Hurrah for that!
Lips still causing you bother? Consider these other factors
If your lips are continuously feeling dry and chapped and just won’t seem to heal and you notice nourishing organic and plant-based lip balm is doing little more than providing minor relief there could be other factors at play:
- Dehydration – dry lips are often a sign that you have not been drinking enough water. Click here for tips on how to boost your water intake!
- Medications – a common side effect of some prescription medication is a dry mouth or dry lips. Consider discussing this further with your doctor.
- Nutritional deficiencies – chapped lips or cracked corners of your mouth are key signs that you may be deficient in nutrients such as B vitamins, essential fatty acids or zinc. If you are noticing that your lips don’t seem to heal no matter how many things you try it might be time to check in with your friendly naturopath to investigate what is going on. Remember our complimentary Herb Bar service is available every day we are open.
Have you been living with a health condition for years that hasn’t responded to conventional medicine effectively? Or are you simply not feeling your best?
Click here to download our free guide with tips and steps you can take to feel well again, naturally. This guide covers everything you need for healthy living – diet, sleep, stress and supplements.
