Spain:Toxic Compounds Detected in Popular Lip Balm Brands

Toxic Compounds Detected in Popular Lip Balm Brands (msn.com)

 

I switched to organic unrefined shea butter years ago.

Just think about how much lead women are ingesting on a daily basis from reapplying lipstick from certain brands.

 

Petroleum derivatives, Paraffin and Petrolatum, also called 'mineral oil' are also staple ingredients in most topical creams, and just about all medicinal creams and ointments. Personally, I am highly 'sensitive' to any petroleum products so can't use any prescribed or otc creams etc. Unfortunately, I'm also allergic to shea butter, so I'm pretty limited in what I can use on my skin anywhere.

I would imagine that as most topical applications are absorbed into the skin so, I'm guessing the toxicity issue is possibly also applicable for other products, not just those for lips.(?)

 

I shudder when I think about the amount of Vaseline I smeared on my lips and face in the 70s and 80s.

 

Still trying to kill us every which way. Can’t breathe the air or drink water it’s probably polluted. Can’t buy products for our skin they can be carcinogenic…

 

yes, quite and Vaseline is a staple recommendation for lip/mouth skin conditions. (only recently a hygienist suggested it to me following my bad reaction to some dental treatment).

 

From the Vaseline website:

What Is Petroleum Jelly?
Petroleum jelly is made from a blend of natural waxes and mineral oils. People often refer in general to petroleum jelly as “Vaseline®”, but the real Vaseline® petroleum jelly is different. The real Vaseline® petroleum jelly is triple purified to remove impurities. It is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin.

What does that mean?

 

The problem is not from putting these products on the skin (which is a good first line barrier to larger molecules) but on the lips.

Very small amounts of substances (not Vaseline, but other "derivatives" per the article)applied to the lips would be ingested. And then affect the liver, etc.

 

I am very sensitive to Paraffin and Petrolatum as well. I can't remember if shea butter causes me problems - it's years since I tried it and I've forgotten the outcome. But I do have a sensitivity to lanolin. It makes it very difficult or impossible to use creams of many kinds, so I rarely even attempt to use them.

I've found that B Complex products with Active B Vitamins help to keep my lips and other skin soft without any creams. Don't ask me why they help, they just do.

 

Years ago I used a nipple cream(used for breast feeding) as a lip balm that was made from 'medical grade lanolin" and had no issues with it. It felt very moisturizing on the lips and had a nice sheen. It's a large tube that lasts a long time and inexpensive.

"Our 100% natural lanolin undergoes a unique ultra-purification process so it’s safe for baby and doesn’t need to be removed before breastfeeding. Clinically tested for irritation, it’s hypoallergenic and never contains petroleum, parabens, additives, or preservatives".

 

I use glycerine a lot.

 

Right. It's kind of a wishy washy term though isn't it? I think the meaning of hypoallergenic implies a less likely allergic reaction, but it should not be taken to mean “void of any allergic reactions”.

 

That’s worrying. A close relative with ezcema had to cover their body in soft/liquid paraffin mix several times a day throughout their whole childhood onward

it was a common recommendation back then

 

think I'll just use cooking oil on my skin and lips

 

Cooking oil, particularly vegetable oil, is rather grim stuff : https://www.todayyoushouldknow.com/articles/how-is-vegetable-oil-made

If I wanted to use a food-based oil on any part of my skin I would try either coconut oil or good quality olive oil

 

hmm I thought that too once upon a time but
Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: implications for neonatal skin care

Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: implications for neonatal skin care - PubMed (nih.gov)

 

I wouldn't cook with vegetable oil, so I think I'll avoid putting it on my skin, whatever the circumstances. If I need skin cream for some reason, I always use baby lotion.

 

Ugh. I switched to soy candles years ago because the smoke fumes from paraffin candles(by-product of petroleum) may be more harmful. The chemicals can irritate the lungs triggering asthma or allergies in some people.

 

most of them contain liquid paraffin/petroleum products

How to Choose a Baby Lotion Without Harmful Chemicals - Consumer Reports

(what I said before, I meant I used to think Olive oil was good for skin. It is considered healthy ingested but not used topically on the skin).