Discover our lip balm, pamper your lips with natural care
Are you also ready to pamper your lips with an unparalleled softness? Our lip balm hydrates and protects, perfect for dry lips. Discover the soft and natural care of Iconic Elements.
Lip balm provides deep hydration without mineral oils
Contains a blend of nourishing oils such as shea butter, argan oil, and squalane
Free from parabens, perfume, and microplastics for pure, skin-friendly care
In this blog, we will delve deeper into the care of your lips, discover why our lips become dry, and reveal the ingredients behind our lip balm.
The thin skin surface of the lips:
Our lips have a unique anatomy! They have a thin skin, similar to the top layer of skin also known as the “stratum corneum”. This top layer consists of 3-4 layers. The problem is that this thin skin does not protect well and does not retain moisture well between these layers. That’s why they become dry quickly. Also, our lips contain fewer sebaceous glands than the rest of our face, which means that the natural protective mechanism against dehydration is less. This makes our lips extra sensitive to things like cold weather and wind.
Why do we get dry lips?
It can be caused by various factors.
Exposure to Elements:
Cold air and wind: In cold climates and windy conditions, moisture is drawn out of the skin. The thin, sensitive tissue of the lips is particularly vulnerable to this, resulting in dehydration and discomfort.
Ultraviolet radiation (UV): The sun, although refreshing, can also be harmful. Excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to dehydration and damage to the lip tissue, manifesting as dryness and cracks.
Internal Factors
Dehydration: Insufficient water intake can lead to dehydration of the whole body, including the lips. When our body is not sufficiently hydrated, it tends to draw moisture from the thin skin of the lips, making them dry and cracked.
Dermatological Conditions
A common cause is eczema on the lips, which results in redness, scaling, and dryness. Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, can also cause dry, scaly spots on the lips. Dry lips can be a signal that the body is insufficiently hydrated. Therefore, drink plenty to hydrate your body.
If you suffer from dry lips, it is important not to lick them, as this can worsen the problems and even cause lip eczema. You should avoid using homemade remedies, as some substances can cause allergies. A well-known example of this is Peru balsam.
Would you like to know more about: Perubalsam allergy
Other Factors
Even medicinal ointments, including creams specifically developed for the treatment of cold sores, can cause unexpected allergic reactions on your lips. These allergies can range from mild redness and itching to more severe symptoms such as swelling and blistering. It is important to know that these reactions can be caused not only by the active ingredients, but also by other ingredients present in the formulation.
Some of these lip products contain substances such as fragrances, preservatives or UV filters that can cause reactions in people with sensitive lips or a history of allergies. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully check the ingredients before using a new lip balm and to stop using it at the first signs of irritation or allergic reaction.
Perhaps read this?
The Belgian consumer organization Test Aankoop has issued a warning about lip balms for children that may be unsafe. Their research has shown that many of these balms contain harmful substances. In 15 of the 21 lip balms investigated, Test Aankoop discovered hydrocarbons, known as MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and/or MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons), which may originate from mineral oil. Both Test Aankoop and the Consumer Association advise parents and children against buying lip balms that contain mineral oil, as they could potentially be carcinogenic.
The presence of MOSH and MOAH is not explicitly mentioned on the packaging. However, if ingredients such as cera microcristallina, (hydrogenated) microcrystalline wax, ceresin, ozokerite, paraffin (liquidum), or petrolatum are listed in the ingredients list, it means that the product contains ingredients based on mineral oil and could therefore possibly contain MOSH and/or MOAH.
Nuance
A few years ago, the German Consumer Association (Stiftung Warentest) conducted a similar study to Test Aankoop in Belgium. At that time, the German government had the BfR institute (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, similar to the RIVM) evaluate the safety of mineral oil in cosmetics, including lip balms. The BfR concluded that the use of mineral oil in cosmetics is safe.
Phenomenon: Lip Balm Addiction
Instead of a real addiction, we rather speak of a dependency on a balm. Unlike for example nicotine in cigarettes, there is no ingredient in the balm that works physically addictive. The dependence is rather created by the unconscious, excessive use of lip balm.
When people repeatedly and frequently apply lip balm, it can become a habit that is more psychological in nature than a real physical dependence. It can result in the feeling that they constantly need to be hydrated, even when they are not truly dry. It’s important to be aware of this behavior and, if necessary, moderate the use of a balm to prevent it from becoming an unnecessary habit.
Learn more about lip balm addiction
So it is wise to be careful with what you apply.
Iconic Elements Lip Balm, Free of Mineral Oils, Petrolatum, and Perfume
Our natural lip balm without mineral oils is carefully formulated to optimally care for dry lips. With soothing shea butter as the main ingredient, this balm provides good hydration. In addition, the formula contains a mix of nourishing oils that restore and soften the lips.
Why choose lip balm without mineral oils?
The reports on mineral oils in lip balms are not unambiguous, which raises many questions among people about safety and long-term effects on the skin. For that reason, more and more people are choosing natural alternatives without mineral oils such as petroleum and paraffin. Mineral oils often form a sealing layer on the skin, which temporarily prevents moisture loss, but does not nourish or repair the skin.
Natural ingredients such as shea butter and vegetable oils work differently: they penetrate deeper into the skin, hydrate from within and help to strengthen the natural skin barrier without closing it off. As a result, your lips stay supple and hydrated for a longer time in a healthy, skin-friendly way.
What is a balm?
A balm is a cosmetic product that is usually a thick, fatty substance intended to moisturize, protect, or heal the skin. It often consists of a combination of oils, butters, or beeswax, which help to retain moisture and strengthen the skin barrier. Balms typically do not contain water, which gives them a higher fat content than creams and ointments.
Creams are more watery in nature and contain a mixture of water and oil. They are lighter and easier to apply than ointments and balms, and they are often used for daily skin hydration.
Ointments, on the other hand, are a semi-solid substance mainly composed of oil and wax. They are thicker and heavier than creams and balms and provide more intensive hydration and protection. Ointments are often used for the treatment of dry, cracked or irritated skin.
Hydrating Natural Lip Balm
Lip balm without perfume, mineral oils and petrolatum contains a harmonious mix with nourishing oils:
- Rice Oil: A powerful antioxidant with conditioning properties.
- Olive Oil: Rich in vitamins, soothing and nourishing
- Argan Oil: Protects, soothes, and improves the elasticity of your lips.
- Coconut Oil: Intensively hydrates and softens.
- Cocoa Butter: A powerful antioxidant for extra protection.
- Squalane: Prevents moisture loss and helps to repair cracked lip skin.
- Pumpkin Seed Oil: Nurtures and protects vulnerable skin.
Natural care without microplastics or parabens
Let yourself be tempted by our soft, intensely hydrating formula that makes your lips irresistibly soft and smooth. Our lip balm contains no mineral oil, petroleum jelly, parabens, perfume, or menthol, making it the perfect choice for natural care.
So, what are you waiting for?
INCI’s:
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oryza
Sativa Bran Oil, Squalane, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus
Seed Wax, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Shorea Robusta Resin, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax,
Water, Lysine Hydrochloride, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus
Seed Oil*, Ascorbyl Palmitate
- From organic cultivation
Frequently asked questions about our lip balm
What are the benefits of a mineral oil-free lip balm?
A mineral oil-free lip balm provides deep hydration without sealing off the skin with synthetic substances such as petroleum or paraffin. By using natural ingredients like shea butter and vegetable oils, the balm nourishes the skin from the inside and helps strengthen the natural skin barrier. This results in long-lasting hydration and smooth lips without relying on heavy, occlusive ingredients.
Is this lip balm suitable for daily use?
Yes, this lip balm is perfect for daily use. Thanks to its mild, skin-friendly ingredients, it can be applied multiple times a day to keep lips moisturised and protected, without the risk of product buildup or irritation. The formula is free from parabens, fragrance, and other irritating substances, making it suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive lips.
Can I wear lip balm under lipstick?
Absolutely, this lip balm forms a perfect base under lipstick. Apply a thin layer and let it absorb before you apply lipstick. This creates a smooth, hydrated base that prevents lips from drying out and makes it easier to apply lipstick evenly. Moreover, it extends the lifespan of your lip color by keeping your lips hydrated.
Does this lip balm help with dry lips caused by the dermatologist’s isotretinoin?
Our lip balm provides intensive hydration and helps protect and soften the lips, but it’s important to know that the results can vary in cases of extreme dryness caused by isotretinoin. Isotretinoin causes severe dehydration which often requires more intensive care than a standard lip balm can provide. This balm can certainly contribute to relieving the dryness and increasing comfort, but it may not completely eliminate all symptoms.
