Published on
updated on
Reading 2 min.
Are you used to moisturizing your lips with a stick? You would do well to check the composition of the one you have in your bag. According to UFC-Que Choisir, while many manufacturers are making efforts, some well-known references persist in using ingredients that are harmful to our health after an initial alert.
In 2017, UFC-Que choisir sounded the alarm: many mineral oils used in commercial lip balms were harmful to our health. Seven years later, the situation has improved, but is not completely resolved.
Inflammatory and even carcinogenic ingredients identified
Thus, in 2017, the association tested numerous lip balms to verify the presence of mineral oils and synthetic hydrocarbons, better known as petrolatumparaffin or even microcrystalline wax, which produce potentially toxic residues.Some are carcinogenic, others can cause inflammatory reactions following an accumulation in the liver or lymph nodes,” recalls the association in an article published yesterday, September 19. This is why mineral oils and synthetic hydrocarbons are banned in food…. However, they are not in cosmetics.
During this audit, UFC Que Choisir was right: half of the balms tested were very poorly classified. Seven years after this first alert, the association has made a new inventory.
Many balms have changed their formula
First of all, and this is good news, many manufacturers have decided to do without the disputed substances and replace them with harmless compounds such as beeswax,castor oil (“castor oil” on the packaging), the shea butter, etc. Avène Cold cream and Labello original for example have been reformulated to exclude these ingredients.
“We were therefore able to make a wide selection of products without mineral oils or synthetic hydrocarbons (organic or not, sold in drugstores or supermarkets, refillable or not) to test them this year”, the magazine rejoices.
But others remain bad students.
Unfortunately, this is not the case with all the balms available to us, which have retained their poor composition.
- This is the case of Petit Marseillais nutrition for dry lips;
- La Roche Posay nutritic and Uriage moisturizing lip stick have changed their composition but still sell the old formula on their respective manufacturer’s website;
- Carmex classic “which not only contains two of these substances, but also contains an endocrine disruptor!” ;
- Neutrogena;
- Bioderma (Atoderm);
- Clinique (Repairwear Intense Repair Lip Care);
- Kiko balms;
- Primark Balms;
- Chupa Chups or Disney balms.
“The most shocking thing? The clearly “children” oriented references, with fruit or Disney flavors that bear the names of different cartoons. Their manufacturers should be all the more vigilant about the composition of their products,” concludes the article.
Slideshow: Endocrine disruptors: how to avoid them on a daily basis?