I bought a bunch of these a few years ago and keep finding them in old jackets. I used to really like them — they’re a nice basic lip balm. They last a long time, they don’t run, and they’re not shiny.
However, they have one unfortunate deal-breaker — their spf does not protect against UVA rays, and I like to protect myself from getting cancerous melanomas, so I do not consider them adequate sunscreen, so I won’t be buying any more.
But if Alba would like to jazz up these lip balms with something a little more UVA-proof, (and perhaps remove the lanolin ingredient? wool-wax kind of grosses me out) — I’d buy them again. (The active spf ingredients in this lip balm, padimate O and oxybenzone, are NOT adequate for sun protection — only avobenzone, mexoryl (ecamsule), octocrylene, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide are. I’ve written more here about good vs. bad sunscreens.)
(Alba Botanica products are cruelty-free, vegetarian, but not organic.)
Alba Botanica Lipcare SPF 18 (0.15oz) is available at the Alba Botanica online store for $2.50.
Ingredients:
Active Ingredients
Padimate O 7.5%, Oxybenzone 5.0%
Ingredients
Castor oil (ricinus communis), candelilla wax (euphorbia cerifera), beeswax (cera alba), natural flavors, jojoba oil (simmondsia chinesis), lanolin, carnauba wax (copernicia cerifera), olive oil (olea europaea), tocopheryl acetate and tocopherol (vitamin E), evening primrose oil (oenothera biennis), soybean oil (glycine soja) and echinacea (echinacea purpurea) extract.
Standards
• Hypo-allergenic
• SPF 18
• No artificial colors, petrolatum, mineral oil, phthalates or parabens.
• 100% vegetarian ingredients and no animal testing
Signature ingredient: We use soy bean oil, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, to moisturize and protect lips, while echinacea extract and evening primrose oil detoxify, heal, and nourish.
Product description: The secret to soft, smooth, healthy lips in every season and climate. A natural, non-petroleum blend of botanical plant oils, vitamin E and echinacea moisturize, nourish and protect lips from the sun and elements.
Features and benefits: Our lips deserve nourishing protection. That’s why we’ve given our Lip Care an SPF of 18 as well as a range of healing botanicals. Natural plant oils hydrate and protect lips while vitamin E, echinacea and peppermint rejuvenate and restore.
Who should use this product? For all skin types.
Directions for use: Apply daily. Reapply as needed.
Categories : 3/5 stars, Alba Botanica, cruelty free, lips, vegetarian
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Kimber
October 28th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Hi Emily,
I have a favorite brand of lip balm called E Gem (http://www.amazon.com/Carlson-Laboratories-E-Gem-Vitamin-stick/dp/B00014ELXM) which contains lanolin, and I’ve been thinking I need to find something without that ingredient. I’ve heard some not so great things about the wool industry. What are your thoughts on this? Is there a way to ensure one is buying cruelty-free wool and wool products like lanolin?
Thanks!
Kimber
Emily
November 1st, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Hi Kimber!
Gosh — I haven’t heard anything about the wool industry — I’ll definitely look into that and get back to you!
Unfortunately there really is no way to ensure you’re buying cruelty-free wool and wool products, unless you’re buying from people who own sheep and make sweaters/beauty products out of their own sheep’s wool — I think you’d be okay then. But commercial companies — there’s no regulation of how they treat the sheep they’re getting lanolin from. It’s a real shame. I think I’m going to stay away from buying any lanolin-containing products for the near future.
Regards,
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