Is Blistex Toxic? (And What to Buy Instead)
Written by:
Maia James
Every time the weather changes, my and my kids’ lips become miserably chapped.
Related: Shop safest lip balms.
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.
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 Soapwalla’s line of lip balms. It is super healthy
Soapwalla Lip Locked Lip Balm
This organic lip balm is amazing. Highest quality ingredients truly make for an amazing product and Soapwalla’s products are quite simply a step above the rest.
Soapwalla’s Lip Locked Lip Balm provides serious protection with Fair Trade and USDA Certified Organic ingredients.
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, these notorious, 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.
(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.)
he 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.
Here are some of my favorite natural lip balms:
- Soapwalla’s coconut-lime lip balm is probably my favorite flavor of any lip balm I’ve tried. It’s also made by a wonderful women-owned business in Brooklyn.
- Green Goo makes healing balms in several flavors (my favorite is the honey), 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!).
- Weleda’s Skin Food for the lips has a cult following for a reason. It leaves lips noticeably hydrated and soft, especially in cold weather conditions.
- Badger makes some nice extra-large cocoa butter lip balms, which are great for little hands and make a perfect stocking stuffer. My kids love these most.
- If you like a lip balm that doubles as a lip tint, my absolute favorites are these from Olio E Osso. They also make a beautiful clear version, and all of them work for cheeks as well as lips.
- 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 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!
Maia, Founder & CEO
P.S. Please share your favorite lip balm brands below, or ask away if you have any you’d like us to investigate.
Note: This article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, which means that if you make a purchase, we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that meet our strict standards for non-toxicity and that we use (or want to use!) ourselves. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Good Stuff!
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“All these ingredients that may or may not be in the product you’re using are bad so buy from me instead!”
Acting like an informational organization making unsourced claims in order to sell organic products is really gross.
I bought those three Blistex fruit things in one package, and it burned my
lips and blew them up. That was four days ago, and they are still blown
up! I hope they go back to normal soon.OMGOSH – that happened to me too – they are finally not stinging – i had RX for burn and applied that last night and this morning they feel SO much better – my lips got so big they were splitting – never AGAIN
I thought I was crazy until I saw your post Jane Hill – thanks. And it is the fruit ones too!
Hope yours goes to normal soon – as i have my fingers crossed for me – just so glad they are not in so much pain today.
Lisa LikesYou might be allergic to something that is in them. I used cherry chapsick, which has red dye, and my lips blew up and were like that for days. Hope that helps!
Someone mentioned that using the Blistex ointment gave her “burned” lips. Yes…putting an ointment of any kind, without any SPF protection will give you burned lips if you are outside.
Personally, I have used Blistex for years, and have had nothing but expected results.
I’m sorry that this discussion has turned into another snowflake-minded, unmoderated, thinly veiled insult exchange. Please, people, simply state your mindset or position. There is no need to attack one another.
I like Blistex & use it when needed.
Good points on both sides of the aisle, but I am turned off by the tree-hugging mentality that everyone must follow what someone else considers ” correct”.
Carry on, straight people, carry on
The ingredients listed are not in the blue circular cases they sell, so you are safe to use those. This article is written with no structure, could be improved.
I can’t see any of those ingredients listed on the back of the packet you displayed.
ur actually retarded
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.
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