My first Clean Beauty Swap: Lip Balms

Everyone has a first. For some it’s deodorant, others it’s mascara.

For me, it was lip balm.

Lip balms are a beauty essential that almost everyone (women and men) apply regularly on a sensitive and delicate part of their face. Whether we notice it or not, it’s also a product that we ingest. Most commercial lip balms use synthetic oils and petrolatum in their formulations as well as fragrance (the big unknown we talked about). These have been linked to allergic reactions and irritations and can, ironically, make chapped lips even worse!

It was a warning issued by a major French consumer group in September 2017 that drew my attention to the potential toxicity of common lip balms. It listed 10 different brands of balms as harmful, most of which I had used in the past or was still using at the time…

Does it mean we have to stop using balms altogether and that we’re condemned to have dry, chapped lips for the rest of our winters? Of course not! There are efficient and safe alternatives that will give you these soft, silky lips without the chemical cocktails.

Here are my 3 favorites right now (always stashed in my handbag or waiting on my nightstand):

• Organic Lip Balm Almond by Organic Essence 

I love everything almond and I tend to want to lick my lips every 2 minutes when I apply this one. Smells great, glides easily, moisturizes without being too greasy.

And this cutie is not only soft on the lips, it’s good for the planet! Not one ounce of plastic in its packaging 💟. You can buy it (and other #zerowaste goodness) here on fillgood.co.

• Lemon Lip Balm by Hurraw!

It smells like summer in the South of France (home sweet home) and feels amazing. It’s more on the shiny side of balms. Hurraw! offers many flavors to try out; I also have the SPF 15 Tangerine one for when I spend a day in the sun. You can buy these two here.

• Organic Vanilla Honey Lip Balm by Whole Foods

A good everyday option! Easy to use and apply, the scent is nice, not too strong and it leaves your lips hydrated for hours (I personally apply it before bedtime. But that’s just me.).

It’s also very affordable. You can find it at your local Whole Foods, and on Amazon.

On my wish list…

 

 

Do you have a clean lip balm you love?

What was your first swap?

Share your experience in the comments!