Users Swear This Lip Balm *Actually* Lasts All Day Long & Keeps Skin Soft
If you suspect your lip balm is leaving your lips drier than they were before—pushing you into an endless cycle of reapplication—you might be on to something. Some formulations provide hydration and a lush sensorial experience immediately but then lack staying power, which will have you reaching for the balm sooner than perhaps expected. Other formulas include ingredients that create a tingly or plumping effect, which means short-term aesthetic benefits but can trigger irritation in the long term.
This, of course, is incredibly frustrating for the consumer. When you purchase a product to solve an issue (in this case, dry lips), the last thing you expect is to have the issue become even more pronounced as time goes on.
This is something we were very mindful of when we set out to create our lip balm. We wanted a formula that used only high-quality ingredients, was universally appealing, and had longevity. Basically, we set out to create an elevated, hardworking everyday lip treatment.
Users love this all-day lip balm — here's why the formula works so well
The right lip balm formula will leave your skin feeling comforted for hours (although I should clarify that some reapplication throughout the day is normal—especially if you're drinking hot liquids, eating, or licking your lips). And balms that are able to achieve this can do so because they use a blend of humectants, emollients, and occlusive ingredients.
mindbodygreen's lip balm uses the trifecta in the form of shea butter, castor jelly, hyaluronic acid, moringa seed oil, vitamin E, and plant-based waxes.
This balance does a few things for the lips. First, humectants (such as hyaluronic acid) attract water. Think of them as super magnets for moisture. While they're good at pulling water in, they're not as talented at keeping it there. Left to their own devices, they'll end up drying the skin out. This is why they need to be paired with emollient and occlusive ingredients.
Emollients soften and condition the skin—sinking in, filling in cracks in the barrier, and restoring lipids. These are the nourishing ingredients, such as moringa seed oil, castor oil, butters, and vitamin E. Occlusive ingredients (such as your waxes and thick oils) create a seal over the skin, trapping moisture underneath and protecting the epidermis from drying out.
When these all work together, that's when you get lasting hydration. As user Ava M. wrote in, "This lip balm truly makes my lips feel soft and smooth without any stickiness or tackiness. And the effects last and last!" And Lexi B. agreed, writing, "One of the few lip balms that stays on like a shield to keep moisture in." As Rachel wrote, "Unlike other lip balms, this one doesn't fade immediately and it does really help your lips stay moisturized even after it comes off or sinks in (after about an hour or more). Your lips won't feel super dry again after that. I would highly recommend this!"
Using the right blend of ingredients is key for lasting hydration; we also wanted to make sure the ingredients themselves were top-shelf quality. For example, the cold-pressed, organic moringa seed oil is chock-full of omega fatty acids and antioxidants, which provide healthy aging benefits. For example, one 2014 study found that the use of a moringa leaf extract enhanced skin revitalization1 and supported "anti-aging" skin effects. Not to mention, it's very soothing. As Simone wrote in, "I was attracted to the moringa oil in the lip balm as it's so good for sensitive skin. It's so soothing that I can't be without it."
It's also petroleum-free. We skipped the ingredient for its environmental concerns but still wanted the notable softness that it can offer formulas. To achieve that we used castor jelly, a natural dupe of the ingredient. (Read more here.) As Patricia D., wrote in, "I recently began to have a bad reaction to petroleum-based products. I was delighted to find this. Works well without drying out my lips."
The takeaway
If you want a lip balm that feels great upon application—and lasts all day—look for something that contains humectants, emollients, and occlusive ingredients. If that sounds complicated, don't worry; we did the work for you with our mindbodygreen lip balm.
Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. Previously, she's held beauty roles at Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, SELF, and Cosmopolitan; her byline has appeared in Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Allure.com. In her current role, she covers all the latest trends in the clean and natural beauty space, as well as lifestyle topics, such as travel. She received her journalism degree from Marquette University, graduating first in the department. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.