Whether you wear lip products daily or only on special occasions, the ingredients you apply to your lips matter. Many of today’s lip care products available on the market contain harsh chemicals that are not biohacker-approved.
Familiarizing yourself with safe ingredients found in natural lip care products can help you make smarter choices, supporting a healthy personal care routine.
Chemicals Found in Lip Care Products
Reading labels on lip care products can leave you confused, with many unknown chemicals. For example, many lip products contain artificial colors which may have green, blue, or red listed in their names. These artificial pigments may be derived from coal, which can lead to some unwanted symptoms like nausea or skin irritation.
A few main substances to look out for in lip products include:
Parabens
Paraben substances may be listed under several different names, all of which end in “paraben”. These substances have been linked to disruptions in the body’s endocrine system, which may also impact a person’s risk of developing cancer.
Petroleum
Found in many lip products to create a moisturizing effect, petroleum may also cause disruption to endocrine hormones.
Alcohol
Alcohol found in lip products is a drying agent. Instead, choose a product with natural moisturizing components.
Menthol or Phenol
These ingredients can cause lip irritation and irritation of the skin surrounding the lips.
Choosing Naturally Pigmented Products
Wearing colored lip products without artificial pigments is possible! Instead of artificial pigments, opt for lip products that use natural colors to create a tinted look. For example, many natural products will use dyes from plants, fruits, or vegetables to create lip color. You might see these listed on an ingredient label as beetroot extract, carrot oil, or berry extracts.
Moisturizing Lip Care Products
Keeping your lips healthy, nourished, and hydrated without chemicals means selecting lip products that use natural oils and butter. Natural oils and butter, such as coconut oil or shea butter, keep your lips softened using real ingredients. Some products may also use Vitamin E or jojoba oil, which are also great at providing natural moisture.
Another natural ingredient that can keep your lips moisturized is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid naturally attracts moisture, drawing it into your keeps to keep them looking healthy and plump!
Peptides for Lip Texture and Plumpness
Instead of opting for lip fillers and chemicals designed to add fullness to the lips, choose lip care products that contain peptides. Peptides are small proteins that can stimulate your body to produce more collagen. In turn, more collagen can improve lip texture and fullness, creating a plumper appearance.
Scents Found in Lip Care Products
Lip care products that smell great may get their amazing scent from chemicals. Unfortunately, the fragrances used in lip care products may be linked to a myriad of health conditions, including worsened allergy and asthma conditions. Some studies also suggest these chemicals may cause hormone disruption.
Instead, select natural lip care products that contain essential oils. Natural essential oils create a pleasant aroma without the use of chemicals. Some examples include citrus oil, lavender, or peppermint.
Protecting Your Lips from Environmental Stressors
Taking your biohacking efforts one step further, look for natural lip care products that contain powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants can protect the lips from environmental stressors, shielding your lips from free radicals. Some commonly found antioxidants in lip products include berry extracts, vitamin E, or green tea extract.
Changing Over to a Natural Lip Care Routine
Making the change away from your favorite lip care products can take some time. Luckily, there are plenty of natural lip care products that offer the same hydrating and color-tinted effects as standard lip care products. When shopping for new lip care products, always read the ingredient list carefully and look into the brand’s reputation.
Some brands may also provide information on the eco-friendliness of ingredients and sourcing information. Based on your skin’s sensitivity and product preferences, it may take time to find natural lip care products that work best for you.
After upgrading your lip care routine to natural products, explore new ways to biohack your eye makeup routine with upgrade products.
