I am on a mission to ditch my Smith’s Rosebud Salve once and for all (how does my last tin keep sneaking into my bag?!).  It has been my most favorite, number one product in my purse, makeup bag, and bathroom vanity for years, but it is time to say good-bye.  I keep trying new Clean balms and salves, and I am determined to find a permanent replacement.

Why?  Most of our balms and salves are made with a petrolatum base, basically a semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum.  This stuff is not good for us to ingest (think of how many times you lick your lips, take a drink or a bite to eat, etc. while you have lip balm on).  The Envirionmental Working Group considers petrolatum to be toxic to humans.  Dr. Oz advises us to “steer clear of any products that list petroleum jelly or mineral oil on the ingredient list. The European Union has banned many petroleum jelly products, and experts are concerned they could be linked to cancer. Women with breast cancer have twice the levels of hydrocarbons (substances found in petroleum jelly) in their breasts than women who haven’t had breast cancer.”  Furthermore, we fight wars over and  harm our planet drilling for petroleum.  Why add to that negativity by being addicted to products that aren’t even good for you?  On a positive note:

TATA HARPER LIP TREATMENT

Tata Harper does it again.  This sheer balm in “Be True” lasts and lasts.  It is silky feeling and super-moisturizing.  It also fills in lines, making lips appear fuller and younger.  Love it!  Cost: about $28.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil*, Beeswax*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Seed Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa), Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Oil*, Vegetable Oil*, Palmitoyl Isoleucine (derived from wheat), Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract, Pheonix Dactylifera (Date) Seed Extract, Lavandula Stoechas (Spanish Lavender) Extract, Filipendula Ulmaria (Meadowsweet)*, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa)*, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula)*, Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile)*, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey)*, Lavandula Spp. (Lavender)*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Natural and Organic Flavors* *Ingredients from Organic farming 

INTELLIGENT NUTRIENTS LIP DELIVERY NUTRITION

Intelligent Nutrients is one of my most trusted go-to brands.  Their products are 100% Clean and Organic and they always deliver.  In fact, this balm is so Clean, that if you lick your lips, it’s actually good for you – this baby is packed with antioxidant rich oils.  It’s also very moisturizing, but leaves no sheen or glossy look, just FYI.  I like to use it before bed for this reason.  Cost: about $12.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: Beeswax*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (Red Grape) Seed Oil*+, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil*+, Ricinis Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Elaeis Guaneesis (Palm) Kernel Oil*, Rubus Idaeus (Red Raspberry) Seed Oil*+, Curcubita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil*+, Rosa Rubignosa (Rose Hips) Seed Oil*, Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Seed Oil*+, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Vanilla Plantifolia Fruit Oil*, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil*, Natural Orange Mint Flavor*, Mentha Arvensis (Corn Mint) Leaf Oil*, Myristica Fragrans (Nutmeg) Kernel Oil*, Limonene*^, Eugenol*^, Isoeugenol*^, Tocopherol (Vitamin E) | * Certified Organic, +antioxidant Intellimune Seed Oil Complex, ^Naturally occurring component of organic Essential Oil blend

AMALA SOOTHING LIP SALVE

Amala’s all-natural “Dessert Fig” lip salve moisturizes with a blend of effective seed oils and leaves a nice sheen.  It’s great if you are looking for an effective balm that is also a little glossy.  Cost: about $18.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Tocopherol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Fragrance (Parfum)+, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil*, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Ormenis Multicaulis Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Honeycomb Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil*, Limonene+, Linalool+ *ingredient produced by organic farming

JOSIE MARAN ARGAN LIP TREATMENT

This lip balm moisturizes with plant-based oils for silky moisture, leaving lips supple.  The Moroccan-inspired pot is so cute, too!  Cost: about $18.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil**, Octyldodecanol, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)**, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil**, Cetearyl Olivate**, Sorbitan Olivate**, Hydrogenated Olive Oil**, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil**, Olea Europaea (Olive Oil) Unsaponifiables**, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil**, Ethyl Cellulose, Isostearyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Wax, Beeswax**, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Polythelene Terephthalate, Rosa Gallica (Rose) Flower Powder**, Lonicera Caprifolium**, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Extract**, Aroma (Flavor)**. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)**, Mica  *Certified Organic Ingredient  **Natural Ingredient

If you have found the holy grail of lip balms/salves/glosses, please share!

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