{"id":9469,"date":"2020-10-16T16:10:26","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T14:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dr-jetskeultee.com\/blog\/?p=9469"},"modified":"2026-03-31T14:10:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T12:10:48","slug":"product-advice-for-lip-balms-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dr-jetskeultee.com\/blog\/product-advice-for-lip-balms-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Product advice for lip balms 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

I would like to talk in more detail about lip balms. I do get lots of mails about them every autumn and winter. About what I actually use myself, and whether I have any good DIY tips. Recently, though, I have been seeing that increasingly more of you are concerned about how safe lip care is. And that isn\u2019t so strange because if you research lip balms on the internet the first things you read are scary stories about all sorts of hazardous substances in these products. And isn\u2019t it right that you could ingest them without realising? After all, you do apply them on your mouth\u2026<\/p>\n

Why all the commotion about lip balms?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I\u2019ll start with the latter. The recent concern about the safety of lip balms. The concern came out of advice from the Belgian and Netherlands consumer organisations to stay away from lip products containing mineral oils. These oils could be contaminated with hazardous substances which are certain hydrocarbon compounds (MOSH and MOAH). What we know about these substances is that, in large quantities, they can have a carcinogenic effect on humans. That is why mineral oil is highly purified prior to being used in cosmetic products. Traces of those hydrocarbons can, nevertheless, be left behind. So, what does that mean? Is it dangerous? A substantial amount of research has been carried out into this and, according to the latest scientific insights, the amounts that may be left behind are safe for humans.<\/p>\n

Use mineral oils safely in cosmetics<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A few years ago the German Consumers Association (Stiftung Warentest) also carried out research into mineral oil in cosmetics. They came to the conclusion that the use of mineral oil in cosmetics (including lip balms) is safe. In my advice about skincare I always think that it is very important that the information is scientifically based. I don\u2019t want to get caught up in the madness of stories you sometimes see online. So, from a scientific point of view, there is no reason why mineral oil shouldn\u2019t be used in lip balms. Ultimately, of course, you have to make the choice whether you are happy with using mineral oils. If you don\u2019t feel comfortable about it there are enough alternatives on the market.
\nJust to let you know, I don\u2019t use mineral oil in my skincare products.<\/p>\n

What ingredients does a good lip balm contain?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The classic lip balm contains lots of fat. Examples of that fat are, Vaseline (petrolatum), mineral oil (paraffinum liquidum), a plant based oil, a butter or wax. A combination of these often makes a fine lip balm in itself.
\nIf you want to go a step further then you can look for active substances, such as panthenol and ceramides, which repair and strengthen the skin barrier. But, as with antioxidants, these substances aren\u2019t readily found in lip balms. The reason is that these ingredients are soluble in water. And that makes it difficult to formulate in a classic lip balm, which almost always consists entirely of fat. Are there ingredients you wouldn\u2019t want to see in a lip balm? Most definitely! I, myself, would rather avoid fragrances, flavours and essential oils in a lip balm.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to check the shelf life of your lip balm<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Do you know how long that lip balm has been in your hand bag, coat pocket or toilet bag? Remember that these products cannot be kept forever. Bacteria will not readily grow in a product that consists entirely of fat as lip balms often do. It needs water for this. However, the dirt and bacteria which gets into that pot via your finger \u2018will\u2019 live there. I, personally, don\u2019t like the idea of that very much. And something else. While there are probably no antioxidants, which can oxidise once you\u2019ve opened the jar, plant based oils are sometimes used in lip balms and they can quickly become unstable through exposure to light and air. So just make sure that you buy a new lip balm each year and throw the old one away.<\/p>\n

Make your own? And some more tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I can understand if you don\u2019t feel like checking through endless ingredients in the shop. So, I have already done some research for you. Below you will see some products that I can advise, with and without mineral oils. I\u2019ve also got a DIY recipe for you, because it\u2019s fun to make it yourself.
\nAnd oh yes, before I forget\u2026 What do I like to use most of all? For now, that\u2019s a combination of my Repair Cream and some Vaseline. Because I am also secretly thinking of creating a product. But we are not that far yet. I will, of course, keep you posted.<\/p>\n

\n

DIY \u2013 lip balm<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What will you need?
\n– 30g shea butter
\n– 10g coconut oil
\n– 10g bees wax<\/p>\n

  • \n
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    1. Place all the ingredients in a bowl and heat up in a bain-marie. Stir well with a spoon so that the heat is distributed evenly throughout. Heat it up until everything has melted.<\/li>\n
    2. Then remove the pan from the heat and continue stirring until it has cooled down completely. If you don\u2019t do this there is a chance that the lip balm won\u2019t harden properly and you\u2019ll have lumps in your balm. That won\u2019t go on as smoothly.<\/li>\n
    3. Once the consistency is smooth you can put the product into containers. Don\u2019t wait too long as it will become more difficult to fill.<\/li>\n
    4. Now apply it!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n

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      PRODUCT ADVICE 2020<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Repair Cream BY Dr. Jetske Ultee<\/strong><\/th>\nUnscented Lip balm by Hurraw<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
      \"\"<\/p>\n\"\"<\/p>\n
      Malin + Gutz Lip Moisturizer<\/strong><\/td>\nLip Active by Eucerin<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \"\"<\/p>\n\"\"<\/p>\n
      Lip and Body Treatment Balm by Paula\u2019s Choice<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \"\"<\/p>\n