Why You Should Avoid Petroleum in Lip Care (And What to Use Instead) 

We’ve all been there—reaching for a trusty lip balm to soothe dry, chapped lips, only to find ourselves reapplying it over and over throughout the day. Many of these balms contain one common ingredient: petroleum jelly. While petroleum-based products may provide temporary relief, they might not be doing our lips any real favours in the long run. Instead, the Team at GBC Wellness has sourced a better solution for you and your customers! Let’s talk about why avoiding petroleum in our lip care routine is important and how natural alternatives like Raw Nature Lip Butta offer a more nourishing solution for our lips.

Lip Care Debate: Petroleum Jelly—Helpful or Harmful?

The lip slugging trend

You may have come across the TikTok trend known as lip slugging, which promises soft, hydrated lips by applying a thick layer of balm or petroleum jelly overnight to “seal in” moisture. The concept is simple: trap moisture to prevent it from evaporating while you sleep. While many people rave about the soft lips they achieve, the trend comes with hidden drawbacks. Petroleum jelly, commonly listed as mineral oil or petrolatum, is a by-product of oil refining and has been used in skincare for decades due to its ability to create a moisture-locking barrier on the skin. Though this may sound beneficial at first, it’s worth taking a closer look at how it truly affects your lips—and whether it actually works as intended.

Why Petroleum Can Be Problematic for Your Lips

  • Superficial Moisture: Petroleum works by creating a physical barrier on top of the skin. While this can help trap moisture temporarily, it doesn’t actually hydrate or nourish your lips from the inside out. You may feel smoothness, but it’s not truly addressing the cause of your dry lips. 
  • Blocked Pores: Because petroleum is an occlusive agent, it can block your pores, which is a big issue for the delicate skin on your lips. [1] This can trap dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria, leading to more skin irritation and potentially making your lips feel worse over time. 
  • Health concerns: Petrolatum, a by-product of petroleum refining, is generally considered safe if highly refined. However, if not fully refined, petrolatum can contain harmful substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are stored in fat tissue and remain in the body for extended periods. [2] In the U.S, regulations on cosmetic-grade petrolatum are limited, creating uncertainty about the purity of some products. This poses a potential risk, especially for lip balms made by manufacturers with lower refinement standards. [3] 
  • Potential for exposure through ingestion: Lip balm doesn’t just fade away—it’s often ingested by consumers. When we eat, drink or lick our lips, small amounts of these products are swallowed. If we consider a UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health 2013 study, some women are ingesting a pound of lipstick every two year. [4] 
  • Environmental Concerns: Another major downside? Petroleum is derived from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. Its extraction and production contribute to environmental pollution, making it a less sustainable option for conscious consumers. [5] 

Natural Lip Care Alternatives – Nourishment from the Inside Out

What’s the alternative? Try Raw Nature Lip Butta, a natural lip balm that provides deep hydration with ingredients sourced from nature. Unlike petroleum-based balms, it penetrates the lips, nourishing with a blend of oils and butters that repair, hydrate, and protect. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, it offers real, lasting benefits for soft, healthy lips. Here’s why it’s the better choice: 

  • Coconut Oil: Rich in fatty acids, coconut oil helps to deeply hydrate and repair your lips while offering a natural layer of protection. [6] 
  • Euphorbia Cerifera Cera: (candelilla wax) is a natural, plant-derived wax from the leaves of the Euphorbia cerifera shrub. It’s commonly used in cosmetics to thicken, bind, and provide a glossy finish in products like lip balms and lotions. It creates a protective barrier on the skin, helping to retain moisture while remaining lightweight and non-greasy. [7] 
  • Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: is a natural oil from sunflower seeds, rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. It helps moisturise, protect the skin’s barrier, and offers antioxidant benefits, making it ideal for various skincare products. [8] 
  • Free from petroleum | palm oil | SLS | PEG | parabens | phthalates | artificial fragrance | palm oil | plastic 

Sustainability and Wellness – The Bigger Picture 

Choosing natural lip care isn’t just better for your lips—it’s better for the planet too. Raw Nature’s products, are made with sustainability in mind. The ingredients are ethically sourced, and the packaging is eco-friendly (so you can pop it in your worm bin or compost pile once the product is finished), making it the perfect choice for those who want to care for their lips and the environment. By switching to Raw Nature Lip Butta, you’re not just improving the lip care routine of your customers—you’re also contributing to a more sustainable future. 

Petroleum-based lip balms might seem like an easy fix, but they don’t provide the real, long-term benefits your lips need. Natural products like Raw Nature Lip Butta offer superior hydration, real nourishment, and sustainable, eco-friendly packaging. Whether your customers are exploring the lip slugging trend or simply seeking a reliable lip balm, Raw Nature is the perfect choice for soft, nourished lips. 

It’s time to make the switch. Treat your lips to the care they deserve—naturally. 

References:  
[1] Effects of methyl paraben on skin keratinocytes.  
[2] Evidence for cosmetics as a source of mineral oil contamination in women.  
[3] Campaign for safe cosmetics.  
[4] Poison lips? Troubling levels of toxic metals found in cosmetics.  
[5] Sustainable Alternatives to Petroleum-Derived Excipients in Pharmaceutical Oil-in-Water Creams  
[6] Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils.  
[7] The Benefits of Candelilla Wax in Natural Skincare: Exploring Euphorbia Cerifera’s Role in Skin Hydration and Protection.  
[8] Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: implications for neonatal skin care.