Nothing ruins a great day walking along a windy beach like chapped lips.
What causes our lips to become chapped? Lack of humidity and too much sunshine dry out our lips. When we try to moisten them with our tongues, we remove the protective oils that protect our sensitive skin.
So we slather on lip balm and hope for the best. But is our lip protection product helping, or just making things worse?
How Does Lip Balm Work?
Lips are especially sensitive because they lack a stratum corneum. This is the surface layer that usually protects the delicate tissues underneath.
In a perfect world, lip balm protects your lips from the elements. The waxiness of lip balm seals in moisture and provides a barrier against wind, sun, and the "wet/dry" cycle resulting from our saliva. Moisturising agents in lip balm help hydrate and heal damaged lips.
We did say, "in a perfect world," right? Well, in a perfect world, we could trust that the products we grew up using weren't causing us harm.
Natural Lip Balm vs. The Other Stuff
If you use commercial lip balm, the soothing sensation will be short-lived. Those products you've used all your life have been harming you.
Most commercial lip balms contain potentially carcinogenic byproducts that need to be avoided.
Natural lip balm, on the other hand, is made from beneficial oils & nutrients from vegetables and fruits. Not only do natural lip care products work, but they also work better than petroleum-derivative commercial products... because those products contain ingredients that make your lips dry out.
We make sure our products work from the start because we developed our line of natural skincare for our own family's health. Since then, we've thrived on customer loyalty, so we owe it to you to create products that work beautifully.
A Closer Look at Conventional Lip Balm
Think of the lipstick and lip products you use, and how quickly your lips absorb them.
Here's what's on the cards if you're not using natural lip balm & lip care products:
Petrolatum is a petroleum product. It's deemed safe by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). But, the process by which petrolatum is created may cause it to contain breast-cancer causing byproducts.
Parabens wreak havoc on the endocrine system. This alters hormone production in both men and women. Studies have shown that methylparaben blocks breast cancer drugs & triggers breast cancer cells.
Glycerin is used as a humectant. If it's not balanced with natural oils and waxes, the moisture attracted by it evaporates rapidly. This causes further dryness. It's critical to use products that use plant-based, not animal-based, glycerin.
Artificial Fragrances and Flavours may counteract the benefits of any lip balm if we're constantly licking it. We've discussed the problems with fragrances elsewhere on our blog. To summarise, the products increase the risk of allergies and respiratory issues, both for the user & those who are nearby.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are two common ingredients. They're both associated with developmental and reproductive disorders and certain cancers.
Tints and Colouring
The hazards of different dyes used in food and beauty products have been known for decades. Here's an excerpt from a contemporary study on FDA-approved food dyes found on the commercial market to this day:
"The evidence for carcinogenicity...indicates that all of the currently used dyes should be removed...and replaced, if at all, by safer colourings." — S. Kobylewski and M.F. Jacobson, "Toxicology of Food Dyes", International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health.
Don't worry though— the good news is right around the corner!
A Healthy Taste of Natural Lip Care Products
Consumers gravitate towards products labelled "all natural". Thus allowing marketing claims to invalidate the need to scrutinise ingredients. If a product claims to be good for you, make sure you know why.
Let's start with ours! We post our ingredients on our website. This way, our customers always know what they're purchasing. Natralus Australia's Essential Paw Paw Lip Balm is no exception.
Seed and plant oils provide lubrication and nutrients. They absorb quickly into the skin and seal moisture within. Our natural lip balm products contain a wide variety of natural oils.
Paw Paw enzymes (papain) help break down dead protein cells, heal abrasions, reduce scarring and nourish developing skin. We also use papain for our hydrating skin rejuvenation products.
Styrax Benzoin Gum sounds like a chemical, but it's a fragrant tree resin with a vanilla aroma. Styrax benzoin gum also serves as a natural preservative.
Beeswax helps skin absorb moisture while acting as a shield against the elements. It also helps "set up" salves, balms, and ointments.
Vegetable Glycerin provides lubrication and texture and helps moisturisers penetrate the skin.
Magnesium Sulfate (Mg Sulfate) also known as Epsom salts, helps to rehydrate your skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is another big word for... plants! It's derived from coconut oil and vegetable glycerin to provide healthy & glowing skin.
Tribehenin is a plant-derived fatty acid used to condition hair and moisturise skin.
Allantoin is, according to Truth in Aging "Highly regarded for its skin soothing & healing properties. It helps shed the outer layer of the epidermis and promotes healthy tissue formation...It's particularly effective at treating wounds, burns, skin ulcers, eczema, and any other abrasion on the skin."
With the heat of summer comes stinging insects. Does your lip balm do the job? Our Essential Paw Paw Lip Balm contains ingredients that soothe insect bites, rashes, and dry, chapped lips.
Why Not go Natural?
Our culture now values over-processed, artificial products instead of natural "alternatives". This is because of brand recognition.
Now, we know the damage we've inflicted since embracing "better living through chemistry." It's time to say, "better living through science". Researchers are catching on to the demand for safe, naturally-derived products. This only helps us make informed decisions about our wellness options.
We hope you've gained a better understanding of how our natural skincare ingredients work. We provide you with products that feel and perform the way you deserve, without the health risks.
Natralus Australia's Commitment to Your Family's Health
If you have questions about our products and manufacturing standards, please contact us. Natralus is a family owned and operated business based in beautiful South Australia. We began our journey into the natural skincare industry to provide healthy products for our family. Now, we're proud to help you do the same for yours.
