Chapstick Lip Balm Review

natural-skincare-authority.com:

Introduction

Chapstick lip balm is a highly toxic skin care product. This product's official name is ChapStick Classic Lip Balm. The parent company Wyeth is a 61.3 billion dollar pharmaceutical corporation.
 
Wyeth Scandal?

While not related to their ChapStick brand Wyeth took a hit when their own drugs increased the risk of ovarian cancer in women. This according to The Journal of American Medical Association in a 2002 high profile study.

This is something you should be aware of before you place too much faith in the ChapStick brand.

Positives?

There is nothing positive about this product according to the ingredient label. The Chapstick lip balm does not meet any natural ingredient parameter.

It is not certified organic and it uses synthetic chemicals that have been tested on animals. The company outsource's animal testers so as not to get their hands dirty.

The fact that it is not certified organic - obviously - means that there is a possibility the product contains G.M.O - genetically modified organisms - and pesticides.

Negatives

The Chapstick lip balm is big on image but low on safety. Mega corporations like Wyeth need to be held to a higher standard. Wyeth spends millions in marketing but it seems nothing on research into natural alternatives.

Many of the ingredients never even tested for safety according to the C.I.R. - Cosmetic Ingredient Review. The chemicals that are certified by the C.I.R have been tested on animals.

Known Cancer causing Agents

Not surprisingly ChapStick Classic Lip Balm scores in 8 of 12 toxic parameters. Chapstick lip balm contains one carcinogen - Saccharin. Definitely NOT the kind of chemical you want to be using on your lips!

Cancer Linkage

This product also contains one other toxic ingredient - PETROLATUM- that has been linked to breast cancer and other health concerns. See below for more information on Petrolatum.
 
Penetration Enhancers

Also present is a penetration enhancer - Padimate O. This agent works to infiltrate the lip/skin membrane - i.e. penetration enhancer - and in doing so increase exposures to the carcinogen listed above.

Untested Chemicals

Chapstick lip balm contains 11 chemicals that have not been assessed for safety in cosmetic formulas by the C.I.R. These chemicals are:Saccharin, MINERAL OIL, Camphor, White Wax, Saccharin, Flavors, Carnuba Wax, Arachadyl Propionate, 2-octyldodecanol, Polyphenylmethylsiloxane 556, Wax Paraffin, D&C Red #6 Barium Lake

Petrolatum

The biggest controversy in the lip balm world is manufacturers using petroleum derivatives in their products. However this is not a new thing, this practice has been going on for decades.

The recent move by the EU to outlaw petroleum in lip balm has added fuel to the debate. From a common sense perspective the risks of putting petroleum on your lips is not rocket science.

Petrolatum, the ingredient used in Chapstick lip balm has been linked to breast cancer. In spite of this ChapStick does not warn their customers in any of their literature. This also applies to Wyeth on their website.

Recommendation

My advice is this, DO NOT use this addictive - yes that's right - lip balm under any circumstances. Chapstick lip balm is hazardous to your health and lips.

If you use ChapStick Classic Lip Balm now I strongly urge you to get rid of it immediately. Corporations like these are particularly devious in how they cloak their toxic products in attractive window dressing. Please do no be fooled by the pretty packaging and celebrity endorsements.

One final thing ...Think long and hard before filling the coffers of a mega corp that KNOWINGLY uses toxic ingredients in their skin care product lines.

Take your hard earned money elsewhere and maybe in time Wyeth in time will learn not to put their customer's health at risk. If you use or continue to use this product you may suffer a myriad of health effects in the long term, according to the F.D.A. toxic grades.

Alternatives

There are legitimate alternatives to toxic products like these. You can make your own lip balm products using natural ingredients.

Or, if you are someone who likes the peace of mind that your natural skin care products are certified organic I would refer you to the top rating Miessence natural lip balm. The Miessence brand contains no synthetic chemicals.

Voice Your Opinion!

If you have an opinion or experience with Chapstick lip balm please click on the feedback link. I will include your comments in the NSA Forum.