Top Zero Waste Lip Balms For Your Plastic Free Puckering Up
J&L Naturals Sustainable Lip Balm
The End of Those Silly Plastic Tubes: Zero Waste Lip Balm Options
Don't you just hate when you're on a roll with your day and then your lips start to become chapped or dry? You feel your lips drying up and of course you reach for your handy lip balm.
Monage Lip Balm from Korea, tinted, eco friendly packaging
But gone are the days of contributing to the plastic waste problem by purchasing chapstick or lip balm in those silly plastic tubes that end up in our oceans or landfills. Now, thanks to innovation and zero waste options, we can protect our lips and the environment.
J&L Naturals. For Plastic Free Makeup Go Here
Single Use Plastic Waste Lip Balm Impact
We all know that plastic pollution is a major headache for our planet. From the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to the microplastics floating in our drinking water, the plastic problem is real. But have you ever thought about the amount of single-use plastic waste that comes from that tiny tube of chapstick or lip balm you use every day?
Farmstead Apothecary zero waste kip balm
Yes, my friends, those little lip-savers may be pocket-sized, but they sure do pack a plastic punch.
On average, most popular brands of chapsticks lipstick and lip balms come with plastic packaging and containers that contribute around 7 grams of plastic waste per unit. Now, that may not seem like much, but considering how many of us use these products on a daily basis, it adds up pretty quickly.
Ethique. tinted or not, and a completely plastic free lip balm
To put it in perspective, a study found that in the US alone, around 170 million people use chapsticks or lip balms regularly.
Teia Cosmetics. tinted lip balm, cardboard packaging
If each of us use just one tube of chapstick a month, that amounts to a whopping 1.19 million kilos of plastic waste every year. And that's just from one product category!
Health Impact Of Petroleum Based Lip Balm
In the past few decades we've had ourselves a regular petroleum party on our pouts! But have you ever considered the possible health impacts of slathering your lips with petroleum-based chapstick and lip balm on the daily?
CocaBee. lip balm, bamboo packaging
What are the ingredients in lip balm?
First, let's talk about the toxic chemicals that may be lurking in your beloved balm. Petroleum jelly is often made from crude or palm oil used, which can contain harmful impurities like PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) that have been linked to cancer and other health issues.
The Classic Berts Bees! But now offered in Paper Tubes!
Additionally, some lip products may contain endocrine disrupting chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance that can interfere with your hormones and wreak havoc on your body.
WE FOUND THE BEST ZERO WASTE LIP BALM
Now, let's take a closer look at the potential health impacts. Inhaling the fumes from petroleum-based products on a regular basis can irritate your lungs and contribute to breathing problems.
Farmstead Apothecary. vegan lip balm
And if you accidentally ingest some of that gunk, well, you may be exposing yourself to a whole other set of health risks - everything from upset stomach and diarrhea to liver and kidney damage.
HURRAW! Store. 3 lip balm tins, 1 tinted 1 unscented 1 ultra rich
But perhaps the most concerning health impact of daily use of petroleum-based chapstick and lip balm is the potential long-term effects. We're talking about an increased risk of cancer, reproductive issues, and other chronic diseases that can come from prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals.
Your lips deserve to be pampered
But let's be real here - is it really worth sacrificing your health for soft, luscious lips?
Ethique. vegan lip balm
What we put on your skin and body matters just as much as what we put in it. So, instead of relying on petroleum jelly and other questionable ingredients, opt for all-natural lip balms made with organic oils, if you're vegan, or beeswax. Your body (and your lips) will thank you for it!
Fun To Make Your Own Lip Balm Too!
First on the list is beeswax-based lip balms that come in refillable aluminum tins. or nifty paperboard tubes. No more throwing out those plastic tubes. These lip balms are easy to store, and since they're made of aluminum, or those extra generous paperboard tubes, they are lightweight, compact, easy to carry.
US Organic Store Organic Beeswax Pellets.
Vegan lip balms that come in compostable packaging are not only good for the environment, but are also cruelty-free. Once you've used up the last of the balm, the compostable packaging can go back into the earth, mission accomplished.
Mary Taylor Naurals a great natural lip balm additive, as is Shea Butter!
Designed To Be Zero Waste Lip Balms
Homemade lip balms are a fun and fantastic option. Believe it or not, it is super easy to make lip balm with just a few ingredients. This allows you to control what goes into your lip balm, using organic ingredients, so you know it's free from all sorts of synthetic and artificial ingredients.
Cliganic Store a little vitamine E plus your favorite essential oils, and Voila!
Plus, you can reuse your own containers, which saves you money in the long run and keeps away from using all those nasty plastic tubes. But stay away from the kits you might find offered. Even the most natural ones involve some sort of plastic :( Easy enough to source your own ingredients, and earth friendly containers!
Affordable Glass Jars Cositina or Tin (pictured) BallHull
History Of Petroleum Lip Balm
Ah, the rich - for some - history of petroleum-based lip balms. But before petrol, did you know that the origins of this slippery concoction can be traced all the way back to the ancient Egyptians? Yup, they were the ones slathering on gooey mixtures of beeswax and olive oil to protect their pouts from the unforgiving desert sun.
Cost Effective Paperboard Tubes! also by Cositina
As we all know, the pursuit of the perfect pucker has been a long-standing tradition. From Cleopatra's iconic crimson lips to Marilyn Monroe's timeless pout, the quest for kissable lips has been a beauty staple for centuries.
Add your own color, inside or out, and create your own personalized all natural lip balm presents. Containers by ANZKA
Body Lotions and Butters Can Be Found Here
The history of petrol-based lip balms can be traced back to the late 1800s, when the world was just starting to embrace the industrial revolution.
At a time when coal and oil were becoming more prevalent than ever before, it was only natural that someone would eventually stumble upon the bad idea of using petrol as a lip balm.
New Trend : Non Plastic Lip Balm Tubes!
Enter Robert Chesebrough, a New York-based chemist who is now heralded as the father of modern lip balm. In the 1880s, Chesebrough discovered that by distilling petroleum jelly, he could create a substance that was effective at moisturizing the lips. He dubbed the substance Vaseline, and the rest is dark history.
Bamboo Lip Balm Containers for your crafting option by the No Tree Was Harmed brand
Since Mr Chesebrough, petrol-based lip balms became a ubiquitous part of our beauty routines. From drugstore classics like ChapStick to high-end luxury options like La Mer, there's no shortage of toxic lip balms to choose from.
Attitude. plastic free lip balm tubes
And yet, despite their undeniable effectiveness, many beauty enthusiasts are now turning away from these products in favor of more natural, eco-friendly options.
Clean Faced Cosmetics
It's hard to ignore the environmental impact of these products. Petroleum is not only toxic but a non-renewable resource, and the process of extracting and refining it has haf a devastating impact on the planet.
Poppy and Pout. tinted lip balm or not tinted
That's why many consumers are now seeking out plastic-free, all-natural lip balms that are just as effective as their toxic waste counterparts.
Poppy and Pout. tinted options, or sheer
So upgrade your lip balm game, why not try one of the many natural options that are now available? From beeswax-based balms to coconut oil-infused formulas, there are plenty of eco-friendly lip balms that are just as effective as the petrol-based ones.
Henne Cosmetics. luxury lip balm in metal tube
For Complete Plastic Free Makeup Go Here
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PLASTIC FREE LIP BALMS
Gone are the days of contributing to our plastic waste problem when buying something as small as lip balm. Whether it's beeswax-based lip balm in refillable aluminum tins, vegan lip balm in compostable packaging, homemade lip balm or natural lip balm made in reusable bamboo packaging, the options are endless and it's great to see companies becoming creative and providing eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastic tubes. So next time, go ahead and protect your lips, but also protect the environment while doing it.
For Plastic Free Skin Care Go Here
FAQs
What is the purpose of lip balm?
The purpose of lip balm is to provide a layer of protection for your lips. It can help to reduce chapping, cracking, and dryness by forming a protective barrier on your lips. Additionally, many lip balms contain oils and emollients which help to provide moisture that can improve comfort and prevent lips from becoming dry or flaky.
Do certain lip balms cause allergic reactions?
Yes, certain lip balms can cause allergic reactions in some people. This is particularly true of products containing petroleum-based ingredients like mineral oil and petrolatum, which are common in many popular lip balms. These ingredients can clog the pores on your lips and prevent your skin from “breathing," leading to uncomfortable reactions like irritation, inflammation, or even infection. Additionally, many conventional lip balms contain added synthetic fragrances or dyes that may also cause a reaction for people with sensitive skin.
What's holding up more plastic recycling and why don't we have more recycling centers?
The challenge of fully recycling plastic is an incredibly complex global problem with many interconnected components. The main issue preventing more widespread and effective plastic recycling lies in the politics, corruption and money that govern our ability to recycle materials on a global scale.
Though it may appear easy enough to set up a local or regional plastic recycling center, there has been much difficulty in creating a comprehensive solution which would incentivize the production of recycled plastics at scale. Countries rich in oil reserves have often chosen to prioritize this resource instead of investing heavily into new recycling infrastructure – as well as tax breaks for companies seeking to use recycled plastics — due largely to short-term political gain rather than long-term sustainability goals. Consequently, we are left with an inefficient system that only captures 8% of all discarded plastics worldwide.
The problem worsens when accounting for the sheer amount of pollution generated by certain forms of manufacturing (often referred to as “downstream” environmental contamination), leading some countries which lack strong environmental regulations or enforcement mechanisms (such as China) from sending ship loads full of potentially recyclable material across the ocean rather than attempting outright bans on exports altogether — further complicating any possible efforts at establishing meaningful regulations related to smelting/melting and/or refining processes used for these materials. And while governments can strive towards creating ambitious waste management systems aimed at tracking post-consumer products, international laws have yet to be implemented sufficient enough so that they are followed by large corporations who continue looking towards cheaper ways out – such as throwing away their packaging and hoping someone else will pay for its repair once it enters another country's waters unknowingly damaging its ecosystem along the way if not properly regulated against doing so.
For more information:
The Green Living Detective
