What are the best botanical lip balm ingredients?

For many of us, lip balm is a handbag essential. But are the ingredients lurking within your skincare staple doing more harm than good?

Dry, chapped lips are uncomfortable and frustrating. So with its primary purpose to soothe and hydrate your lips, it's no wonder that lip balm is such a popular skincare product. But have you ever looked at your lip balm ingredients and found a long list of unpronounceable chemicals?

Often, the ingredients in lip balms and salves can be counterproductive and drying.

If you're searching for a moisturising balm that's gentle on your skin, look out for some of our favourite botanical ingredients.

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Benefits of Lip balm

Many of us use lip balm for aesthetic purposes - who doesn't want glossy, luscious-looking lips? With properties to lock in moisture, an effective lip balm is a key part of any skincare routine.

It's also a handy product for on-the-go, offering hydration throughout the day - particularly as the seasons change. The skin on our lips is sensitive and often vulnerable to damage from extreme heat and cold. As we head into the colder winter months, lip balm acts as an important barrier, protecting and softening our skin.

Lip balm ingredients to avoid

Despite these many intended benefits, however, many lip balms contain chemicals and artificial ingredients that can be less than helpful.

Here are some lip balm ingredients you might like to keep an eye out for and avoid.

Parabens

Parabens are a group of chemicals often used to preserve cosmetic products and prevent bacteria. You may see terms such as Propylparaben, Butylparaben, or Isobutylparaben listed on your cosmetic packaging. Unfortunately, these chemicals are thought to have a disruptive effect on hormones. As a result, it's best to avoid them where possible.

Artificial colourings

All kinds of products, including food, drinks, and cosmetics, feature artificial colourings and flavourings. These are usually to improve the appearance, smell or taste. However, you may find that artificial ingredients can cause irritation and dryness.

In our experience, it's best to steer away from artificial and stick with the ingredients nature provides.

Menthol

Do you ever find that your lips feel more chapped with the more lip balm you apply? This could be because your product contains methanol. While it might add a refreshing tingle, menthol can have a drying effect on your lips, leading you to feel the need to apply more product.

Menthol may also make your lips more sensitive and put them at higher risk of environmental damage.

Propylene glycol

This ingredient is a solvent often included in lip products to help lips maintain moisture. In reality, it absorbs water, which can lead to your skin becoming dry and chapped.

You'll find propylene glycol in brake fluids and embalming liquids - not an appealing thought!

Top botanical lip balm ingredients for soft, moisturised lips

Now that we've highlighted what to avoid when choosing a lip balm, let's take a look at some of the best natural lip balm ingredients. Spotting these dermatologist-backed ingredients on the back of your lip balm tin will ensure that you're getting the most out of your product.

• Shea butter: Drawn from the seeds of shea trees, this creamy butter not only smells and feels great but also contains an array of vitamins including vitamin E and A. It's excellent at locking in moisture, and its anti-inflammatory qualities can tackle dryness and eczema.
• Honey: Sweet, sticky, and gloriously hydrating, honey is what we would call a humectant - it attracts and locks in moisture. This popular natural ingredient hydrates and softens.

• Vitamin E: This ingredient boosts circulation and generates new skin cells. As well as giving your lips a renewed, soft appearance, it promotes all-around health and well-being.

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• Cocoa butter: Another natural fat, cocoa butter is an intensely moisturising ingredient which also creates a barrier to protect your lips from environmental damage. Its oily texture also serves aesthetic purposes, certain to give your lips a subtle shine. Of course, we also adore this ingredient for its irresistible flavour in high-quality chocolate.

• Coconut oil: This incredibly nourishing oil soothes, heals and protects your skin, while also fighting the build-up of bacteria around your mouth - the perfect ingredient to soothe your smile.

• Castor seed oil: Another humectant, castor seed oil locks in moisture to help relieve chapped skin, leaving lips refreshed and hydrated.

Choose Rabot 1745 beauty gifts from Hotel Chocolat

At Hotel Chocolat, we love embracing sumptuous ingredients found in nature - both in our chocolate and our beauty products. After all, why go artificial when there are so many nourishing and delicious ingredients around?

If you're searching for a new lip balm that will keep your skin soft, supple, and hydrated, look no further than our Rabot 1745 collection. Ideal as a self-care treat, everyday essential, or gift for a loved one, our heavenly lip balms are packed with natural ingredients.

Whether you want a deeply decadent, cacao-rich variety - our Chocolate Almond, Chocolate Peach, and Honey Chocolat balms are sure to hit the spot - or a refreshing coconut option, explore our delectable collection.

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