Lip Treatments
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September 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
The products discussed on this page are designed to give the lips some extra attention.
While most of these are lip moisturizers that seem designed to be used mostly at night, a few lip scrubs are included on this page as well.
Lip treatments that are presented in stick form are discussed on the Lip Balms page of this website.
Some of the products discussed on the Face & Body Balms page may be appropriate for use as lip treatments as well.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
+Beautycounter Lip Conditioner ($22)
+Fitglow Night Lip Serum ($48)
+Ilia Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment ($26)
+MOA Absinthe The Green Fairy Hand & Lip Balm ($11)
+Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter ($7)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
Bare Minerals Ageless Phyto-Retinal Lip Mask ($30)
Burt’s Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment ($9)
♦ Not Yet Rated:
+Alpyn Beauty Willow & Sweet Agave Plumping Lip Mask ($28)
Burt’s Bees Conditioning Honey Lip Scrub ($9)
Burt’s Bees Mocha Conditioning Lip Scrub ($9)
+Kari Gran Lip Whip ($21)
Kosas Plump + Juicy Lip Booster ($25)
Three Ships Buttercream Hydrating Lip Mask ($18)
♠ Trash Can:
Burt’s Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment Passion Fruit ($9)
♥ Lisa’s Choice:
Beautycounter Lip Conditioner ($22)
√ MOA Absinthe The Green Fairy Hand & Lip Balm ($11)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars – Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
2) Lisa’s Choice – Products that I would purchase for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
Alpyn Beauty Willow & Sweet Agave Plumping Lip Mask – $28
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Lemon Oil, Rose Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Citral, Limonene
The description of this product reads, “Feeling tight-lipped? This silky, hydrating daily mask is at your service. Lips are left looking fuller, softer, and more subtle. Hyaluronic Acid and Sweet Agave Extract bind moisture for increased hydration. White Willow Bark (nature’s salicylic acid) gently softens any roughness. Wild Chokecherry and Vitamin E provide a layer of antioxidant protection.”
I have yet to try this product but hope to do so soon.
Size: 0.35 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.6 Stars (120 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredients Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Aloe vera (3), Rosa damascena flower oil (4), Citral (5), Limonene (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Arnica Flower Extract, Borage Flower Extract, Calendula Flower Extract, Chamomile Flower Extract, Sage Leaf Extract, White Willow Bark Extract, Huckleberry Extract, Chokecherry Extract, Bearberry Leaf Extract, Wild Dandelion Flower Extract, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Lemon Peel Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Citral, Limonene.
All Ingredients: Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Castor Seed Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sunflower Seed Oil, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Apricot Kernel Oil, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Seed Wax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Carnauba Wax, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Jojoba Seed Oil, Arnica Flower Extract, Borage Flower Extract, Calendula Flower Extract, Chamomile Flower Extract, Sage Leaf Extract, White Willow Bark Extract, Huckleberry Extract, Chokecherry Extract, Bearberry Leaf Extract, Wild Dandelion Flower Extract, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Lemon Peel Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Citral, Limonene.
Bare Minerals Ageless Phyto-Retinal Lip Mask – $30
Overall Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Lemon Oil, Sodium Saccharine, Citral, Linalool, Limonene
The description of this product reads, “A clean, vegan lip mask with a plant-based retinol alternative that gently renews lip appearance, while hydrating and significantly improving the look of fine lines for soft, smooth lips. Powered by Phyto-Retinol, a natural plant-based retinol alternative that’s as effective as retinol —but gentle enough for lips. Leave-on lip mask is clinically shown to replenish essential moisture, smooth fine lines and boost lip radiance over time. Enriched with moisture-replenishing Hyaluronic Acid and Papaya Enzymes, which help renew lips’ appearance.”
Although it may be that this product was helpful with regard to the condition of my lips, I had a hard time bringing myself to use it at all and gave up on it pretty quickly.
While part of the issue may have been with the processed botanical fragrances, I feel that the issue was more that the product had general contamination that I did not want to ingest.
In looking at the ingredients list, the cotton seed oil seems especially problematic to me since that tends to be highly contaminated with glyphosate as well as a variety of other pesticides that I do not want to consume.
I would prefer that some of the other oils in the product – such as coconut oil and sunflower seed oil – be organic as well.
While I have tended not to focus on the organic aspect in most cosmetic products, I am pretty scrupulous about that issue with regard to oils that I consume in my diet and lip products seem to me that they reasonably should qualify for the same standard.
That being the case, the fact that I intuitively did not want to use this product even though by beauty industry standards it does not look too bad does make some sense to me.
Size: 0.44 oz.
Bare Minerals Rating: 4.7 Stars (253 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Lemon peel oil (6), Aloe vera leaf extract (3), Lactic acid (4), Citral (5), Linalool (3), Limonene (5), Phenoxyethanol (4). (Also contains Cotton seed oil, Sodium saccharin.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Lemon peel oil, Rosemary leaf extract, Citral, Linalool, Limonene
All Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Sunflower Seed Oil, Behenyl Behenate, Cocoa Seed Butter, Rice Bran Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Squalane, Lemon Peel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Candelilla Wax, Cotton Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Saccharin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hexylene Glycol, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol
Beautycounter Lip Conditioner – $22
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil
The description of this product reads, “Nourish and protect lips with this ultra-moisturizing lip balm, formulated with soothing and softening avocado oil, shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil, and jojoba oil. It’s also infused with peppermint and rosemary oils, which give the formula its refreshing scent.”
Although this product is not stated as including organic ingredients, it feels pretty good to me and I have enjoyed using it.
Probably part of this is due to the fact that the first two ingredients – avocado oil and beeswax – tend to feel okay for me regardless of whether they are labeled as organic.
While I would prefer not to see non-descript ingredients such as “vegetable oil” listed, at least these are not the main ingredients listed.
In any case, this product has felt and tasted okay to me, and it has provided some good moisturizing benefits to my lips. I also like the peppermint flavor, especially during the winter months.
I see that the product is listed on the “Last Chance” page of the Beautycounter site, though.
It therefore may be on its way to being discontinued.
Size: 0.4 oz.
Beautycounter Rating: 4.8 Stars (1692 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Problem Ingredients: Peppermint oil (4). (Also contains Vegetable oil, Rosemary oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Peppermint oil, Rosemary leaf oil
All Ingredients: Avocado Oil, Beeswax, Castor Seed Oil, Vegetable Oil, Shea Butter, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Peppermint Oil, Candelilla Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lanolin, Tocopherol, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil
Burt’s Bees Conditioning Honey Lip Scrub – $9
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Natural Flavor, Purified Stevia, Limonene
The description of this product reads, “Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub gently exfoliates and conditions dry lips with Honey Crystals to help your lips look and feel beautiful and primed for a smooth lip balm or lipstick application. 100% natural.”
I have yet to try this product but hope to do so soon.
Size: 0.25 oz.
Burt’s Bees Rating: 4.3 Stars (72 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Product Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Natural flavor (4), Acacia senegal gum (3), Glyceryl behenate (3), Limonene (5). (Also contains Vegetable oil, Rebaudioside A.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Honey, Natural flavor, Rebaudioside A, Limonene
All Ingredients: Honey, castor seed oil, vegetable oil, acacia senegal gum, lanolin, natural flavor, beeswax, cocoa seed butter, glyceryl behenate, silica, rebaudioside A, limonene.
Burt’s Bees Mocha Conditioning Lip Scrub – $9
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Natural Flavor
The description of this product reads, “Burt’s Bees Conditioning Mocha Lip Scrub gently exfoliates with repurposed coffee grounds, leaving lips feeling soft and nourished. 100% natural origin.”
I have yet to try this product but hope to do so soon.
Size: 0.25 oz.
Burt’s Bees Rating: 4.7 Stars (48 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Product Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Glyceryl rosinate (5), Natural flavor (4), Glyceryl behenate (3). (Also contains Vegetable oil, Corn starch.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Coffee seed powder, Cocoa fruit powder, Natural flavor, Cocoa seed butter
All Ingredients: Castor seed oil, vegetable oil, coffee seed powder, cocoa fruit powder, beeswax, flavor*, shea butter, glyceryl rosinate, cocoa seed butter, glyceryl behenate, corn starch, glyceryl caprylate, olive oil unsaponifiables, ammonium glycyrrhizate, glyceryl undecylenate *natural flavor
Burt’s Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment – $9
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Peppermint Oil, Caramel, Limonene, Linalool
The description of this product reads, “Pamper yourself with this Ceramide-rich overnight treatment that nourishes and conditions lips while you sleep. Wake up to soft, healthier-looking lips that feel smooth and soothed. 100% natural.”
I’ve used this product from Burt’s Bees a few times and haven’t felt that it was so problematic that I needed to wipe it off right away.
It does seem to have provided some good moisturizing benefits to my lips.
However, I didn’t feel that great about using it and so put it aside after a few tries.
I think there are better options out there to use to take care of my lips.
Size: 0.25 oz.
Burt’s Bees Rating: 4.2 Stars (108 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Peppermint oil (4), Glyceryl behenate (3), Limonene (5), Linalool (3).
Fragrance Ingredients: Peppermint oil, Caramel, Acacia decurrens flower wax, Limonene, Linalool
All Ingredients: Caprylic/capric triglyceride, oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides, C10-18 triglycerides, glycerin, jojoba seed oil, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl stearate, hydrogenated castor oil, jojoba esters, octyldodecanol, sunflower seed wax, ceramide NP, peppermint oil, caramel, acacia decurrens flower wax, polyglycerin-3, limonene, linalool.
Fitglow Night Lip Serum – $48
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “Softens, hydrates and transforms lips at night with proven plant extracts and vitamins. Our unique Plant Ceramides formula restores lip moisture barrier while protecting from water loss. Organic pomegranate Plant Sterols, Beet Extract, and Vegan Collagen improve lip cell structure, increase lip volume and fight signs of aging.”
I received a mini version of this product as a gift with purchase and so gave it a try.
The product is a thin liquid that is applied with a doe-foot applicator.
It feels clean to me, with a mild natural flavor that I have found attractive.
I think that it has felt good for my lips, though I didn’t get a large enough sample to give it an extended trial to see if it actually had the ability to increase my lip size or reduce signs of aging.
I like this product but doubt that I will buy it again unless it is on a really good sale due to the price being so high.
Size: 0.35 oz.
Fitglow Rating: 4.8 Stars (148 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredients Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate Sterols, Turmeric Root Powder, Vanilla Extract
All Ingredients: Shea Butter*, Coconut Oil*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Glycosphingolipids (Plant Ceramides), Castor Seed Oil*, Vegetable Collagen, Carnauba Wax, Pomegranate Sterols, Beet Root, Beeswax*, Cocoa Seed Butter*, Turmeric Root Powder, Sunflower Seed Oil & Lecithin & Yeast Extract (Organic Plump)*, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Sorbic Acid, Vanilla Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides. *Certified Organic Ingredients
Ilia Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment – $26
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Natural Fragrance, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
The description of this product reads, “An overnight treatment mask that helps reveal your smoothest, softest lips. The potent, dual-action formula works like a facial for your lips, sweeping away dry, flaky skin while drawing in moisture to visibly renew and revitalize. This clean, cushiony treatment mask wraps lips in active levels of exfoliating and hydrating ingredients. Papaya Enzymes gently buff away dead skin, clearing the way for moisture-magnifying Salicornia (Sea Succulent) and plumping Hyaluronic Acid to sink in. Use it in the morning and at night to keep lips smooth, soft, and revived.”
Although this product contains quite a bit of processed natural fragrance as well as a variety of synthetic ingredients, I have not felt that it has been something that I would do well to avoid using and have finished off most of a small jar (obtained as part of an Ilia kit).
I actually kind of like the citrusy smell/taste of this product and feel that it has been good for my lips.
While I doubt that I will buy the product again, the main reason is because I think there are better options at this high price point.
It seems like a nice product though.
Size: 0.34 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.4 Stars (624 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Natural fragrance (8), Geraniol (5), Limonene (5), Linalool (3), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Natural fragrance, Papaya seed oil, Gardenia taitensis flower extract, salicornia herbacea extract, Undaria pinnatifida extract, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
All Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mango Butter Dimer Dilinoleyl Esters/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaoleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Shea Butter, Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Hydroxystearic Acid, Aroma, Coconut Oil, Lactobacillus/Papaya Fruit Ferment Extract, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Castor Seed Oil, Papaya Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Titanium Dioxide.
Kari Gran Lip Whip – $21
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Peppermint Oil or Cinnamon Oil
The description of this product reads, “This everyday, clear balm gives your lips a glossy, tinted sheen and a moisturizing boost with a hint of peppermint or cinnamon. Packed with a blend of organic camellia and calendula oils, Lip Whip Treatments are our most moisturizing lip whip, they protect and hydrate your lips all day and night.”
Size: 0.25 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.9 Stars (196 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredients Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Peppermint oil (4), Cinnamon oil (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Peppermint Oil
All Ingredients (Peppermint): Organic Castor Seed Oil*, Organic Beeswax, Organic Camellia Seed Oil*, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Sunflower Oil*, Organic Calendula Extract*, Tocopherol (Non GMO Vitamin E from Sunflower)+, Organic Peppermint Oil*. *Certified organic. +Non-GMO Vitamin E from Sunflower
All Ingredients (Cinnamon): Organic Castor Seed Oil, Beeswax*, Camellia Seed Oil*, Organic Avocado Oil*, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Sunflower Oil*, Organic Calendula Extract*, Tocopherol (Non GMO Vitamin E from Sunflower)+, Wildharvested Pimenta Berry Oil & Organic Cinnamon Bark Oil*
Kosas Plump + Juicy Lip Booster – $25
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Fennel Oil, Rosemary Oil, Vanillin, Orange Oil
The description of this product reads, “Full, cushiony, smooth like butter. Clean, buttery treatment packed with rich, concentrated fatty acids + lip-boosting actives for your smoothest, fullest, most cushiony lips ever. We do not use any plumping irritants so the product is clean, comfy and sting-free. It has a smooth, buttery texture with natural emollients that’s never sticky or greasy. This treatment is packed with rich, concentrated fatty acids to smooth, soften and hydrate for the ultimate lip care.”
I have yet to try this product but hope to do so soon.
Size: 0.5 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.5 Stars (165 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredients Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Orange oil (5), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #28 (5). (Also contains Vanillin.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate Flower Extract, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Fennel Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Vanillin, Orange Peel Oil
All Ingredients: Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Castor Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, dl-alpha Tocopheryl Nicotinate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Jojoba Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Tribehenin, Sunflower Seed Wax, Punica Granatum Flower Extract; Shea Butter Unsaponifiables, Castor Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Polyglycerin-3, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trihydroxystearin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Vanillin, Orange Peel Oil, Tocopherol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Red 28.
MOA Absinthe The Green Fairy Hand & Lip Balm – $11
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Lemon Peel Oil, Fennel Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Peppermint Leaf Oil, Anise Seed Oil, Absinthe Extract, Yarrow Extract, Citral, Limonene
The description of this product reads, “Summon the spirit of The Green Fairy with this dual-purpose salvation balm, a non-greasy formula to soften dry cuticles, hands and lips. Keep this tin of salvation handy and apply sparingly to thirsty hands and lips in need of a little extra care and protection. Use to soften cuticles and ideal for prepping the lips before applying lipstick. Vegan friendly. Castor oil, shea and cocoa butter provide a silky-smooth moisturising base to soothe and condition, candelilla wax provides a nourishing, protective coating, whilst stevia leaves a subtle, sweet taste on the lips. With yarrow extract and a magical blend of essential oils including, brightening grapefruit and lemon peel and aromatic peppermint, fennel and aniseed. Absinthe extract is referred in historical literature as ‘la fée verte’ (the green fairy). This anise-flavoured botanical spirit is derived from the flowers and leaves of wormwood, anise and fennel. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is highly antibacterial and anti-fungal and shows antioxidant properties too.”
I purchased this product (which is made in the UK) on a whim from a local natural apothecary and really like it.
It contains only natural ingredients, including a number of high-quality oils (including shea butter, olive oil and cocoa butter).
It also consists of a number of different essential oils, including lemon, fennel, grapefruit, peppermint and anise.
I feel like I also can taste the small amount of absinthe extract, which contains wormwood.
Note that I am a fan of Lucid Absinthe liqueur and that those who do not like that flavor may not like the taste of this lip balm either.
The product is a little stiff in the container, but I have found that it goes on very nicely and feels great on my lips.
Although I would use it more when out and about if it were sold in stick form, the metal container (with a screw top and a fairy embossed on the top) is very cute.
I like this enough that I might order it directly from the company if I couldn’t get it locally.
Size: 0.41 oz.
MOA Rating: 5.0 Stars (16 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Lemon Peel Oil (6), Grapefruit Peel Oil (3), Peppermint Oil (4), Citral (5), Limonene (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Lemon Peel Oil, Fennel Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Peppermint Leaf Oil, Anise Seed Oil, Absinthe Extract, Yarrow Extract, Citral, Limonene
All Ingredients: Shea Butter, Olive Fruit Oil, Cocoa Butter, Candelilla Wax, Castor Seed Oil, *Sunflower Seed Oil, Alcohol, Stevia Rebaudiana Extract, Lemon Peel Oil, Fennel Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Peppermint Leaf Oil, Anise Seed Oil, Absinthe Extract, *Yarrow Extract, **Citral, **Limonene. *Certified organic. **Occurs naturally in essential oils.
Three Ships Buttercream Hydrating Lip Mask – $18
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Natural Flavor
The description of this product reads, “A lip mask may sound like the ultimate indulgence, and this one definitely is. Nourishing and restorative, it hydrates lips from within and builds up a protective barrier to lock in that moisture. It’s a good one to apply before bedtime – so you can wake up with pillow-soft lips. Concentration of key actives: Sunflower Oil (23%), Coconut Oil (10%), Shea Butter (5%).”
I wrote to Credo and asked them to help me find out more about the “aroma (flavor)” mentioned on the ingredients list for the product. They responded as follows, “We have heard back from the folks at Three Ships! The scent/aroma is Vanilla and is all natural. 🙂 We are working on updating our website to include this information.”
I am looking forward to trying this product in the near future.
Size: 0.5 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.6 Stars (48 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredients Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Glyceryl benenate (3), Flavor (4), Tocopheryl acetate (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Natural Flavor
All Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Fractionated Coconut Oil), *ᵀSunflower Seed Oil, *ᵀCoconut Oil, *Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides, *C15-23 Alkane, *Shea Butter, *Silica, *Avocado Oil, *Glyceryl Behenate, *ᵀBehenyl Behenate, *ᵀPolyhydroxystearic Acid, *ᵀCandelilla Wax, Aroma (Flavor), *Tocopheryl Acetate, *Grape Seed Oil. *Non-GMO, ᵀOrganic.
Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter – $7
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Natural Fragrance, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol
The description of this product reads, “Leave lips feeling sublimely soft, especially in cold weather conditions. Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter features a rich botanical blend of sunflower seed oil, chamomile and calendula extracts melts into lips, leaving them feeling supple with a slight glossy sheen. Can be used alone or with makeup. Intensively nourishes and moisturizes lips. Dermatologically tested and free from synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colorants or raw materials derived from mineral oils.”
This product, which is made in Germany, contains only botanically derived ingredients but seems to me to have the texture and appearance of a liquid-y petrolatum jelly.
This does not seem to me to be a bad thing at all, since the product does seem to be good for my lips.
It has a slight lemony taste from the natural flavoring/fragrance ingredients, but I am not finding it to be unpleasant at all.
Although the formula contains alcohol, I feel like it is moisturizing rather than drying to my lips.
The product feels pretty clean to me. That may be in part due to the fact that it is from Germany, since glyphosate is to my understanding basically never used as a pre-harvest desiccant on crops such as sunflowers in that country.
I think that this might be a good product to help to seal in moisture on my lips during the winter months and plan to give it a try then.
Size: 0.27 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.3 Stars (59 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Natural fragrance (8), Limonene (5), Linalool (3), Geraniol (5). (Also contains Alcohol.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Natural fragrance, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol
All Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Lanolin, Beeswax, Glycerin, Viola Tricolor Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Alcohol, Aqua, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol.
Additional Possibilities
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Fitglow 3-in-1 Lip Scrubbing Mask – $36
Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Recovery Lip Mask – $26
Lawless Forget The Filler Overnight Lip Plumping Mask – $21
Milk Makeup Melatonin Overnight Lip Mask – $25
Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment – $16
Tarte Sea Jelly Glaze Anytime Lip Mask – $16
Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask – $28
Trash Can
Burt’s Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment Passion Fruit ($9): Although I really like the plain version of this product (which is flavored only with natural peppermint), this flavored version felt and tasted problematic to me. EWG gives this version a 7 (red), flagging as potentially problematic the glyceryl behenate (3), natural flavor (4), titanium dioxide (3), citronellol (4), eugenol (5), hydroxycitronellol (6), limonene (5), and linalool (3).
About This Website
The Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping website is designed to provide guidance to those seeking out products that are relatively low in toxicity and that provide generally positive user experiences.
Although the skincare and makeup sections have a particular focus on products appropriate for women who are in their 40’s or beyond, the information provided may be useful for other people as well.
The products are curated by Lisa Petrison, who has been focused on helping people to improve their health by avoiding toxicity since 2008 and who heads the Paradigm Change organization.
Her Living Clean in a Dirty World blog site discusses a variety of topics of relevance to those who are working to pursue a more natural lifestyle with less exposure to harmful toxicity.
Lisa is the author of several books, including A Beginner’s Guide to Mold Avoidance (co-written with Erik Johnson).
She also runs the Paradigm Change website (focusing on issues related to toxic mold illness) and the Mold Avoiders Facebook group (designed for the discussion of all topics of interest to those pursuing the mold avoidance approach described in the “Beginner’s Guide” book).
Lisa was born in August 1964 and has yet to try cosmetic surgery, Botox or other cosmetic treatments requiring interactions with a physician, or beauty products containing retinoids.
In her former life, Lisa worked as a business school professor, as a marketing consultant to a variety of large companies, and as a reporter covering the advertising industry.
She holds a Ph.D. in marketing and social psychology from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as B.S./M.S. degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Lisa would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ellen Kleiman-Redden for her help in trying out products and discussing issues related to this project.
She also would like to thank the many members of the Mold Avoiders community who have shared suggestions of products to be included here.
A Note From Lisa
Products that I have tried or researched and that I have not found to be acceptable from a toxicity standpoint have been omitted entirely from the discussions on this website.
However, since a goal of this project is to introduce people to a range of options in terms of price and functionality, some products discussed on this site include ingredients that may not be appropriate for everyone.
It’s my hope that all individuals making their way to this site will find at least a few options from each product category that meet all of their own needs and wants from a variety of perspectives.
The vast majority of cosmetics marketers now offer affiliate programs in which Internet content creators may earn commissions if people who are referred to the companies’ sites by clicking on links end up making purchases.
I participate in quite a few individual affiliate programs as well as in the Sovrn/Viglinks program (which automatically converts regular links into revenue-generating links).
Links on this page that may result in affiliate income may include – but are not necessarily limited to – those from the following companies: Alpyn Beauty, Amazon, Bare Minerals, Beautycounter, Burt’s Bees, Credo, Fresh, Ilia, Kari Gran, Lawless, Milk Makeup, Pharmaca, Rhode, Sephora, Tarte, Tatcha, Three Ships, Ulta, Weleda.
Reader comments about products discussed on this website are very welcome.
Thoughts may be shared either by posting them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or by sending them directly to me at the following email address:
info at paradigmchange dot me
Companies that would like to offer me complimentary products to try out may contact me at this address as well.
Individuals who are seeking out less-toxic products or who are interested in pursuing a cleaner and healthier lifestyle may want to sign up to receive occasional email newsletters from Living Clean in a Dirty World.
Those signing up will receive a free PDF copy of the book Back From The Edge (describing the extraordinary life of mold avoidance pioneer Erik Johnson) and also will be automatically entered in sweepstakes giving away a variety of cleaner products.
Thanks very much for visiting the Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping site!
Links on this page are in orange (no underlining).
