What Makes a Great Lip Balm?

We use lip balm as a barrier to protect our lips from the effects of wind, sun or dry indoor air and even dehydration. Most will do a good enough job as such, but what makes a great lip balm?

Many lip balms but don’t offer much in the way of moisturizing lips. This is usually because the main ingredient is petroleum, petroleum-based, mineral oil or ‘petrolatum‘ to dress it up. While it does act as a barrier, you’ll be ingesting tiny amounts of the product when eating or drinking. So, for me, this ingredient is definitely off any list for lip balm.

Ingredients

There are so many other natural ingredients that can provide better results than petroleum based products. Bees wax, cera alba, is rich in fatty acids to nourish lip skin and it’s also an effective barrier against moisture loss. It allows your lips to breathe and is obtained with zero detrimental affect on the bees. Beeswax also helps to produce a firmer lip balm that can be easily dispensed from a convenient roll-up tube.

Cocoa butter is another excellent ingredient in a great lip balm. This anti-oxidant powerhouse also assists with sun protection and provides rich moisture. As lip skin is only 3-5 layers thick and does not have oil glands to keep them moisturized, cocoa butter easily steps up to the task without feeling heavy.

How about castor oil? It places high on our list; loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and its incredible ability to provide glide and shine, which is also reflective. Now that we are closing in on a great lip balm, let’s add another oil rich in polyphenols and which helps fight inflammation- olive oil. It is one of oldest and best kept secrets of lip care. Olive oils’ high oleic acid content is what helps provide long-lasting, nutrient- dense protection for lips.

Feel

The final test for what makes a great lip balm is how it feels as you apply it. Does it glide on smoothly or does it drag across your lips and feel heavy or waxy? Does it feel silky after it’s applied? If you’re a habitual lip smoother, i.e you rub your lips together often, can the lip balm stand up to this test or does it fade off quickly?

All of the above are what makes a great lip balm. Don’t settle for just ok.