It’s currently FREEZING here in Brooklyn, and with the change in weather comes chapped lips–for myself and my kids (my husband is strangely immune).
Blistex lip products definitely soothe super chapped, sore lips. Perhaps this explains why Blistex sells more than $100 million worth of their “medicated” lip balm every year! But is Blistex non-toxic?
While Blistex offers short-term relief from the pain of chapped lips, it contains ingredients that may carry other health risks.
My Favorite Natural Lip Balm
I love the creamy texture and subtle scents of Badger’s line of lip balms.
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Is Blistex Non-Toxic?
A tube of Blistex contains some 25 ingredients, including a variety of preservatives and dyes. Among the most concerning ingredients are the following, which you will find in various Blistex products:
Phenol. One of Blistex’s several active ingredients, phenol is considered toxic to the central nervous system and to the heart.- Saccharin. I won’t eat food with this artificial sweetener in it, and anything you smear on your mouth has sort of got to be considered food, right?
- Parabens. Unsurprisingly, thesenotorious, carcinogenic preservatives make an appearance in some Blistex formulas.
- Fragrance. We know that when we see “fragrance” on a label, that usually means the presence of phthalates.
- Oxybenzone. That really bad sunscreen ingredient that’s linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, as well as endocrine disruption.
- Mineral oil. A petroleum product.
- Parraffin. Another petroleum product.
- Petrolatum. Yet another petroleum product.
Phenol. One of Blistex’s several active ingredients, phenol is considered toxic to the central nervous system and to the (See our glossary for more on many of these ingredients, including links to studies that back up all these scary claims.)
This chemical cocktail is especially concerning in a product that you smear all over your mouth. (I’ve likely eaten several ounces of Blistex in my life, since in high school it was all I used.)
The good news is that there are many natural lip balms that really do work. I’ve heard from a lot of you about how thrilled (and yes, surprised!) you are that these natural products are actually effective.
Best Natural Lip Balms
Here are some of my favorite natural lip balms:
- Green Goo makes healing balms in either Cool Mint or Citrus Zest, which come in a standard chapstick-style dispenser.
- Tandi’s Naturals Lip Balms are rich in avocado oil and beeswax, and are available in either Mint & Grapefruit or Herb Garden and come in a cool little tin (extra points for no plastic!).
- Another incredible plastic-free option is Organic Essence lip balms, which comes in a really cool paper tube. Choose from Grapefruit or Almond.
- Badger makes some nice extra-large cocoa butter lip balms, which are great for little hands and make a perfect stocking stuffer.
- If you like a lip balm with a hint of color, my favorite are these from Babo, with SPF 15. Badger also makes a nice shimmery mineral lip tint.
- If you like a little luxury in your lip balm, I recommend Beautycounter’s lip conditioner, which also works really well over any of their lip sheers (I wear Twig or Terra).
Thankfully, lip balm is one category of products where choosing the Good Stuff doesn’t mean a sacrifice in performance (as opposed to, say, deodorant!). When my lips are chapped and painful, these natural balms really do bring complete relief.
Stay sane, and I hope you’re enjoying the winter season, chapped lips and all!
P.S. Please share your favorite lip balm brands below, or ask away if you have any you’d like us to investigate.
Bonnie says
Thank you so much for providing good information without turning your articles in research studies worth of information. As someone who values natural living I don’t have time to look at the science of each ingredient or read someone else doing it for me. I need short and sweet with good alternatives and you are doing that here and all over your site. It makes transitioning to natural products easier when you have a go to list that works.
And do all nay sayers this article is written to those of us with a cursory knowledge of natural toxin-free living. If you don’t already think that’s important that’s totally fine. But the poster doesn’t need to re-make that point over and over on everything blog post. If you choose to use something unsafe by weighing the pros and cons of your experience that is fine too but that’s not what this post is here for. This site is not about how to use every day conventional products that are probably mostly safe. It’s how to make the best choices. So if you have decided to compromise somewhere for reasons that are important to you that’s totally ok, but it’s not the posters job to change her agenda and goals because you like some chapstick.
KerriJ says
Cursory knowledge of natural toxin-free living? I don’t think you even know what a toxin is.
Sally field says
Another woman owned blog complaining about complex things her simple mind can’t comprehend. It’s un fucking believable to me that so many of you women out there will flock to the internet to spread your misinformation on things you don’t even know anything about. “CHEMICALS OH MY GOD I’M SO SCARED IT MUST BE BAD FOR YOU!”
No wonder men have ruled the world since the dawn of time. Blogs should be outlawed.
andrew sweeny says
Sally not sure where you get your … good information from but the ingredients she lists are for the most part banned in all other countries as either outright toxic or highly suspect … so given the option choose cleaner products …. she is not spreading misinformation just information the rest of the world is quite aware of.
andrew sweeny says
also add Arbonne shea lip balm to the good stuff list 🙂
KerriJ says
If you knew the chemical composition of your every day foods, yes even your organic apples and pears, you’d never eat again.
Cat Lover says
To Not Necessary,
I never knew cats had lips (haha)!! Did Blistex help her/his chapped lips??
Julie Carpintero says
Hi Maia…I use Burt’s bees lip balm with vitamin E and peppermint…any good? 🙂
Julie
KR says
If you are like me and beeswax dries out your skin, consider trying Lady Bug Jane lip balms. My personal favorite is Plain Jane (flavorless), but they have a multitude of flavors, too, if that is what you prefer. https://ladybugjane.com/about-lip-balm/
Tina says
How about Earth Mama Organics Lip Balm?
Maia james says
Yes that one is Good Stuff!
? says
If the stuff is bad for you, why are they allowed to sell it in stores?
Suzanne Weaver-Goss says
One reason profits! The federal government is supposed to protect us against toxic substances in our food, water, and the products that we buy. And they do. However, corporations have a lot of sway in Washington and hire lobbyists to sway politicians to allow ingredients that should be illegal so that they can make profits. Consumers need to be aware of all of the ingredients that are approved and yet not healthy for anybody. Consumers can voice their concerns and vote their concerns. Also, if we stop buying these toxic products; they will stop selling them.
kiran says
One thing about CArmex lip balm. That shit is actually addictive due to presence of Camphor. I used to carry it without fail even if i forget my driver’s licence while stepping out for a walk in my own yard.
I got rid of the balm and also the need to use lip balm so much.
jord says
ur actually retarded
Alice says
I can’t see any of those ingredients listed on the back of the packet you displayed.