To protect and repair our lips, we want a super-hydrating stick. And as natural as possible, because we “eat” almost half of what we applied!
Lip balm: what it should contain
Waxes : To avoid liquefying, organic balms and sticks are based on vegetable waxes from bees, candelilla or carnauba, both protective and hard. While conventional formulas use paraffin of petrochemical origin.
Butters: The Shea Butter nourishes and softens. In some cases, it is accompanied or replaced by mango butter. Castor oil can also be found at the top of the list of components, as it is the most dense oil. It has no taste and penetrates quickly.
Essential fatty acids: The oils (jojoba, macadamia, argan, sesame, sunflower…) provide suppleness. Above all, they provide essential fatty acids (linoleic or linolenic) nourishing and plumping. An action completed by emollient esters (which soften and soften) and hydrating squalane. >> To read also: What is a good eye makeup remover
Insulators: Vegetable glycerin, beeswax or shea butter form a protective film that prevents water from evaporating and prevents dehydration.
And also…Antioxidant vitamins E (tocopherol) and C, which prevent vegetable oils from becoming rancid and protect against UV damage. Soothing or healing agents, such as bisabolol (of plant origin), calendula or aloe vera.
Lip balm: what to watch out for
Hydrogenated palm oil: Not very green (its culture indeed promotes deforestation on the island of Borneo). But the fact that it is hydrogenated (by a risk-free organic process) is not a problem, on the contrary: it allows it to have a structure that prevents it from going rancid and penetrates better.
The water : Lip balm is one of the few cosmetics where water has no place, because it makes its texture more crumbly.
Essential oils : Some can dry out or be allergenic in this part of the body. >> To read also: Lip stick: the good advice to choose it well
Lip balm: what is required
-To nourish and protect the lips. They are indeed semi-mucous membranes, therefore fragile areas.
-To repair chapped or damaged skin thanks to its restructuring fatty acids.
-To “hold” in all weathers, because it should neither liquefy in the sun, nor crystallize in the cold despite the presence of fatty substances. This is why these sticks often have a high wax content.
Lip balm: the focus of the specialist
– The advantage of organic balms and sticks is that their ingredients are natural active ingredients, and often edible! The others contain inert mineral oils and waxes (paraffin, etc.) which limit dehydration, but no essential elements.
– The basic formulas, mainly use castor oil and hydrogenated vegetable oils.
– The most elaborate are based on fatty acids, butters and waxes.
– A balm is applied three times a day. If you need to put more, you may need to change some.
