Harmful Ingredients You Should Always Avoid In A Lip balm

Your lip balm may seem innocent, but it contains harmful chemicals. Some “natural” brands are also using chemicals. It is time to check the label on your lip balm.

The skin of our lips is not just fragile but also very delicate. Regardless of the season, our lips are exposed to harsh external factors like the sun, wind, and numerous environmental pollutants. To nurture your beautiful smile, it is vital to care for your lips by opting for a lip balm that is moisturizing, nourishing, and free of harmful ingredients. Check out some toxic ingredients that you should always avoid in a lip balm.

Petroleum

An ingredient that is so close to gasoline cannot be good for our lips. Petroleum is generally used in auto shops, but manufacturers realized that refined petroleum can serve as an effective compound in beauty products. But the refining process of petroleum is unfortunately harsh and it requires the use of toxic agents. In addition, petroleum in skincare products builds an airtight barrier over the skin - as a result, the skin becomes the breeding ground for bacteria and other toxic compounds.

Parabens

All parabens are damaging, but the following ones must be avoided at all costs in skincare products: propylparaben, methylparaben, isobutylparaben, and butylparaben. Parabens are now identified as major endocrine disruptors, and they increase the chances of cancer.

Menthol, Salicylic acid, and Phenol

Lip balms made with ingredients like menthol, salicylic acid, and phenol render the lips drier. They sometimes cause irritation and peel off the skin’s outer layers. These ingredients were first used in lip balm to exfoliate. But using chemicals to exfoliate your skin offers less protection while making it more vulnerable to harmful environmental factors

Butylated Hydroxytoluene

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a synthetic preservative that is produced employing the process of carbon chemistry and it prevents mold and oxidation in cosmetics. But BHT has been recognized as an endocrine disruptor in both women and men, and it can further foster the development of existing tumors.

Chemical Sunscreen

While it may seem incredible to have sunscreen in lip balms, it is undesirable to have it in a chemical form like oxybenzone. This substance is also identified as an endocrine disruptor, commonly held responsible for causing endometriosis in women.

You may also ingest some of these toxic and harmful substances from your lip balm if you do not carefully pick your lip balm.