Going Beyond Beeswax: Exploring the World of Plant-Based Waxes and Cruelty-Free Lip Balms

Introduction

We all live in a world, where our lives are dominated by our social media presence and other digital communications. Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat are all content driven applications that entice their users to upload their pouty lip selfies, sunset images, mirror OOTDs, and give real time updates. And let's admit it, we all are obsessed with puckering our lips and clicking a selfie from a top angle to get that chiselled look! But wait a minute, what if your lips are chapped, skin is withering or the cold weather has completely dried them up? Lip nourishment is a crucial aspect of self care, maintenance, hydration and appearance of your lips. They are truly an embodiment of subtle allure and an enchanting gateway to communication and emotions. To shed some more light on their importance, lips are also the most exposed part of your face and go way beyond mere aesthetics, hence they require some extra TLC. The health of your lips is usually overlooked compared to the other parts of the face and it's time we make it a priority.

The Rising Demand for Cruelty-Free and Sustainable Products in the Clean Beauty Industry

According to the comprehensive analysis, it has been predicted that there will be a substantial growth in the lip balm industry in the forecasted period i.e. 2023 to 2030. Consumers have become extremely concerned about the prolonged effects of UVA rays on their lips and how it affects them. Too much exposure to UVA rays can exacerbate cosmetology problems like darkening of the lips, hyperpigmentation, increased dryness, chapped lips and premature ageing. To combat these external stressors, consumers have become increasingly aware and are ready to take steps to avoid any further skin damage.

Due to the increasing side effects of chemically derived goods and skincare products, people have become increasingly aware and skin conscious,searching for safer alternatives devoid of any chemicals and toxins. This results in the resurgence of organic and naturally procured skincare products and ingredients which will not cause any harmful reactions, being safer to use. Surprisingly, men have also become conscious of personal hygiene and grooming and have displayed a conscious interest in the nourishment of their lips and skin.

All in all, in the prevailing times, every second person has a lip balm, chapstick, or a petroleum jelly tin in their arm candies, purses, sling bags, or kept next to their nightstands, understanding the importance of lip nourishment. This has led to a surge in conscious consumers and a demand for organic products.

The Drawbacks of Common Lip Balm Ingredients Like Lanolin and Beeswax

To elucidate the side effects of using chemical lip balms made with ingredients like beeswax, lanolin, & other parabens, here is a concise example:Eg: Quite often, to quench our thirst we pick out a can of soda without seeing its nutritional value which is close to nil and gulp it without giving it a thought. Unfortunately, all these aerated drinks, sodas and flavoured drinks quench our thirst for a short period of time which defeats the sole purpose of satiation. The same applies to lip balms made with ingredients like lanolin and beeswax that claim to give you long-lasting moisturization but dehydrate your lips within a few hours of their application.

Perhaps, it is imperative that we look for cruelty-free, organic and natural lip balms devoid of beeswax, lanolin, parabens, petroleum jelly, and other harmful fragrances. Invest in BiE’s Coffee & Cream Nourishing Lip Balm and Berry Pop Hydrating Lip Balm, that instantly give you a velvety and cushiony embrace like a soft-marshmallow kiss with their nourishing and hydrating ingredients that are completely toxin-free, paraben-free & cruelty-free!

Lanolin - A Closer Look

Lanolin is sebum that a sheep produces. Basically it's a lubricant with the primary function to moisturise the skin with its hydrating, occlusive properties. Refined lanolin is used as an emollient in various beauty and skincare ointments and other topical applications.

Lanolin was previously used to treat various skin conditions like dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. It can mimic the moisturising qualities of sebum found in humans, which is exactly why it is used in various skincare products today. Due to its emollient properties, it is a key ingredient used in various lip balms to moisturise lips, and pull out the dryness and chapped appearance. However, it comes along with its own set of downsides.

Lanolin Has So Many Benefits, So Why the Flack?

As mentioned earlier, Lanolin is extracted from the sheep’s wool. Such activities are unethical and are considered to be cruel towards animals. We cannot take from the environment for the benefit of our personal needs. It is criminal. Secondly ,extracting substances from animals could potentially cause skin reactions, allergies and inflammation. To throw some light on this brutal affair, back in the 1960's when people started using lanolin for lubricating purposes they started experiencing some unpleasant allergic reactions and rashes. This was due to the pesticides and chemicals used by the livestock farmers to disinfect sheep and protect them from pests. However, in this process the lanolin remained unrefined and exacerbated allergies on the face. A true elucidation of lanolin turning out to be the wolf in the sheep’s skin.

People who are allergic to wool are advised not to use lanolin as it could lead to rashes, inflammation, burns or other unwanted reactions on the face. Also, lanolin is very thick in texture and can clog pores and result in acne and breakouts. Perhaps, people with sensitivity and oily skin issues are advised to avoid using products containing lanolin.

There are many vegan alternatives of lanolin in the skincare market that are hypoallergenic and vegan-friendly.

Beeswax - Not Always a Sweet Deal

Nature has its own way of captivating people with its laurels, enchanting alchemies created by various species. Bees, for instance, secrete a waxy substance, a fascinating amalgamation of white wax and pollen oils have proven to be quite resourceful for the human race, especially to the cosmetic and skincare industries. Revered for its emollient, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties, this waxy substance is massively celebrated as a moisturising ingredient in the realm of lip care. But its attributes and benefits aren’t just restricted to the skincare industry. Honeybees are indispensable and connected to various critical issues for environmental health, like biodiversity, the growth of various plants and flowers, food security, nutrition, medicines, and sustainable land use.

Beeswax is a natural wax-like substance produced by the industrious bees who are predisposed to the production of beeswax on the tenth day of their life. Beeswax is secreted by the female bees from the ceripharic glands, situated near the abdominal region in white colour which then transcends into yellow wax due to the mixing of pollen oils.

Honeybees build their comb from beeswax and fill the geometric shape of the hexagonal cells with honey and brood. This beeswax is resourceful to the human race in multiple ways due to its emollient, non-comedogenic and Vitamin A rich properties.

Beeswax has natural moisturising properties that have the ability to hydrate extremely chapped and cracked lips with its supernatural abilities. A botanical blend of beeswax and other essential oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E oil can give your lips some relief from the dryness and reveal smoother, softer and plump lips.

The Ecological Impact of Beeswax Production and the Importance of Protecting Bees

It takes more than soil, water, and sunshine to make the world a greener place. Existence of bees is quite crucial for the wellbeing of our ecosystem and we cannot threaten their survival for the benefit of our selfish needs.

Bees are an indispensable part of our ecosystem as they are responsible for the onset of pollination, wild plant growth, food sources and biodiversity. How, you may ask? You may have noticed bumble bees buzzing from flower to flower in your garden for the purpose of pollination. Pollination is the singular most significant agricultural contributor to the production of crops, wherein 35% of the crop yield depends upon cross-pollination and supports the production of 87 varieties of crop.

In a nutshell, every third bite of the food we consume should be contributed to pollination which is responsible for its production. But hold on, there’s more to the importance of buzzing! No chemical ingredient, man-made practices or any technological advancement can mimic the practice of pollination. Bee pollination benefits the growth of various plants that support the livelihoods of many wild animals, insects and birds. It plays a crucial role in the maintenance and well-being of biodiversity as well.

Perhaps, the buzzing isn’t futile, these striped garden visitors are responsible for the well-being of our entire planet and its ecosystem.

Sadly, a lot of human activities have caused the population of bees to dwindle. Increased agricultural practices, incessant use of pesticides, global warming, constant changes in temperature, and surges in apiculture practices are responsible for the declining numbers of honey bees. Beeswax, bee pollen, and honey are used massively by the skincare, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries. In order to meet the increasing global demand of consumers, manufacturers increase crop yields and production by using more pesticides, fertilisers, and chemicals which eventually result in harming the bees and their well-being.

Fortunately, the conscious consumer has finally woken and become mindful of other living species and their health. There are many healthy alternatives to beeswax that act as excellent replacements for this waxy substance without compromising on its moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties. Here are some to name a few: Candelilla wax (what we use to formulate our vegan lip balms), soy wax, paraffin wax, rice bran wax, and sunflower wax.

The Rise of Cruelty-Free and Sustainable Lip Balms

Our buying actions have the power to bring change. Our purchasing patterns can encourage people to be kinder towards the environment and fellow humans. Conscious consumerism entices people to be mindful about their purchasing behaviour and encourages other consumers to choose a brand or company whose ethos stems from a sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free mindset.

We all know the good-old thumb rule, CONSUMER IS KING! When consumers buy cleaner and greener products it encourages the entire skincare industry to adhere to practices wherein the products are not tested on animals and neither are they derived from them. This empathy-driven approach has encouraged people to ban companies who exploit animals under the name of product-testing and choose companies who are kinder towards the environment.

The Down-Low on BiE's Coffee and Cream Nourishing Lip Balm and Berry Pop Hydrating Lip Balm

Have you ever envisaged a lip balm that feels as soft, gentle and smooth as a melted marshmallow? Experience the softness of luxurious velvety lips with our Coffee & Cream Nourishing Lip Balm and Berry Pop Hydrating Lip Balm enriched with almond oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and squalane to instantly plump your lips and tender them with immense hydration, nourishment, and lustre. So put on the lip balm, smack your lips together, and get ready to conquer the world with healthy, plumped and plush lips, because well-moisturised lips are crucial for achieving a pillow-soft pout and getting that perfect selfie.

Conclusion

Lip nourishment is a crucial aspect in the personal-care and self-grooming realm. Now, everybody wants to look good (thanks to the onset of social media). Chapped, dehydrated and lacklustre lips are a situation that can be easily avoided with the right nourishment and a workable skincare regimen. At the same time, consumers have also started being mindful of their fellow living beings. Conscious consumerism and attractive appearances are two sides of the same coin that are totally achievable with so many cruelty-free, vegan, and sustainable brands in the mix. Till then, happy, healthy and pouty lips to all!