Remember when chapped lips were just a winter problem? What if we told you that your go-to lip balm might be the real culprit? Yeah, you heard it right! Many common lip balm ingredients can actually make your lips even drier and might even be bad for your health. Our lips are super thin and sensitive.
Whatever we put on them gets absorbed into our bodies, and we even swallow some of it when we eat and drink. That's why it's important to be careful about what's in your lip care products, just like you would with your skincare routine. Therefore, in this article, we will dive into the world of decoding those hidden nasties and explore healthy lip care to keep your lips soft and supple.
Ingredients to Avoid in Your Lip Balm
Most ingredients present in the lips are harmful for our health. Therefore, it is really important to pay attention to what you're putting on your lips because it can affect your health. Your lips are super absorbent, and whatever you put on them can actually end up inside your body.
So, it's essential to be careful and choose lip balms with safe ingredients. Here's a table showing which lip balm ingredients you should avoid, sorted by how harmful they can be, according to the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) website.
|
Category |
Chemicals |
|
Neurotoxins |
CI 42090 |
|
Carcinogens |
Petroleum, Phenoxyethanol, BHA & BHT |
|
Endocrine Disruptors |
BHA & BHT, Phthalates |
|
Reproductive Toxicity |
Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 15850 |
|
Allergies & Immunotoxicity |
Propylparaben, Fragrance, Ci 19140, Ci 15895, BHT, Benzyl Benzoate, Ci 45410, Ci 77499, Menthol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Myristyl Myristate, Geraniol, Linalool |
These ingredients can have various harmful effects, ranging from disrupting hormones and triggering allergies to potentially increasing the risk of cancer. For detailed information and further research, you can visit the EWG website (https://www.ewg.org/).
Benefits of Natural Ingredients
Using natural ingredients in lip balms doesn't just keep your lips healthy; it also brings extra perks like better blood flow, fewer signs of aging, and firmer skin. They're gentle and work well for everyone's skin. Instead of using lip balms with potentially harmful ingredients, look for lip balms ingredients that are natural so they can nourish and protect your lips, such as:
Rose Geranium Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Improves blood circulation in the lips, promoting a healthy rosy glow.
- Reduces signs of aging by smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
- Offers excellent healing properties, soothing dry and chapped lips.
- Provides intense moisturization, keeping the lips soft and supple.
- Delivers a delightful scent, enhancing the overall lip balm experience.
Shea Butter
Benefits:
- It moisturizes the lips deeply without leaving a greasy residue, providing long-lasting hydration.
- It plumps up the skin, giving the lips a fuller appearance.
- Possesses anti-inflammatory properties, soothing irritation and redness.
- Contains antimicrobial agents, helping to keep the lips clean and healthy.
- It boosts collagen production, promotes a healthy complexion, and reduces signs of ageing.
Beeswax
Benefits:
- Enhances skin elasticity, making the lips look firmer and more toned.
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the lips.
- It attracts and retains moisture, preventing dryness and chapping.
- Provides a protective barrier on the lips, shielding them from environmental damage.
- It is suitable for sensitive skin care, as it is gentle and non-irritating.
Castor Oil
Benefits:
- Prevents the formation of wrinkles on the lips, keeping them smooth and youthful.
- Reduces puffiness and inflammation, making the lips look more defined.
- It soothes sunburn and other irritations with its anti-inflammatory properties.
- It keeps the lips hydrated by preventing moisture loss, leading to a healthier complexion.
- Promotes overall lip health by nourishing the skin and preventing dryness.
Coconut Oil
Benefits:
- Possesses antimicrobial properties, preventing bacterial infections on the lips.
- Reduces inflammation, soothing redness, and irritation.
- It treats acne and other skin conditions, promoting clear and healthy lips.
- Provides deep moisturization, penetrating the skin to hydrate from within.
- It leaves the lips feeling soft and smooth, with a natural shine and glow.
Olive Oil
Benefits:
- Rich in antioxidant properties, it protects the lips from free radical damage.
- Offers deep moisturization, preventing dryness and flakiness.
- Reduces signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles around the lips.
- Manages sun damage by repairing and replenishing the skin barrier.
- Promotes healthier skin overall, leaving the lips looking radiant and youthful.
DIY Lip Balm Recipe
Prefer a DIY chapped lip remedy? Try this basic recipe to create your own natural lip balm.
Soothing Shea Butter Lip Balm
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets
- 2 tablespoons shea butter
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 10 drops of vanilla essential oil
Instructions:
- Melt the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil in a double boiler until they mix together.
- Remove from heat and add the vanilla essential oil. Stir well.
- Pour the mixture into small lip balm containers and let it cool until solid.
- Apply it whenever your lips need some extra care.
This lip balm provides intense moisture with shea butter and a delightful vanilla scent for soft, supple lips. If you are interested in more such DIY recipes, then you can check out this blog.
Some Lip Care Tips for Soft Supple Lips
Stay Hydrated:
Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day to keep your lips and body hydrated. When your body is hydrated, your lips stay moisturised and healthy.
Protect from sun exposure:
Use lip balm that has sun protection (SPF) or apply sunscreen to your lips when you're going to be outside. This helps protect your lips from getting sunburned and damaged by the sun's rays.
Avoid Licking Your Lips:
Even though it might feel nice temporarily, licking your lips can actually make them drier. Instead, use nourishing lip products to keep them moisturised and resist the urge to lick them.
Gentle Exfoliation:
Every once in a while, use a gentle sugar scrub or a soft toothbrush to remove dead skin from your lips. This helps keep your lips soft and smooth, but don't do it too often or too hard.
Include iron-rich foods in your diet:
Eating foods that are high in iron, like spinach, lentils, and beets, can help prevent dry lips. Iron deficiency can make your lips dry, so adding these foods to your diet can keep them healthy.
Conclusion
In summary, having nourished lips means avoiding harmful ingredients and embracing nature's goodness. Whether you're using natural lip balms or making your own, focusing on natural ingredients is key. Prioritising natural options is essential for maintaining lip health. Explore our platform for more information on lip care and skincare. With informed decisions, you can achieve healthier, more beautiful lips.
FAQs
Q1- Why should I avoid certain ingredients in my lip balm?
A: Some common lip balm ingredients can actually make your lips drier and may even pose health risks. It's important to avoid them to maintain healthy lips.
Q2- How do I know if my lip balm is safe to use?
A: Check the ingredient list and avoid harmful ones like petroleum, fragrances, and certain colorants. Look for lip balms with natural ingredients instead.
Q3- What are the benefits of using natural ingredients in lip balms?
A: Natural ingredients provide nourishment, improve blood flow, reduce signs of aging, and offer gentle yet effective care for all skin types.
Q4- Can I make my own lip balm at home?
A: Yes, you can! A simple DIY recipe using natural ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and essential oils can create a moisturising lip balm.
