Modern-day society has an unusual obsession with lip products, myself included. In fact, I am guilty as charged on the following offenses: keeping at least 3 different lip balms in my purse (come at me, cake batter), 1 in the car, another 2 in the desk, a handful on the nightstand…you get the point.
Sadly, most of our everyday lip products are developed with toxic petroleum bases, packed with parabens, and contain tons of chemically derived dyes, flavors, and fillers. You can imagine my excitement when I found some organic lip products in both balm and scrub formulas. If you missed my previous post on Thirteen Organics, you’ll want to read back and learn why this is such an awesome brand with an even awesomer (why isn’t this a real word yet?) product offering.
The Luxe
I went with peppermint, because I love me some tingly mint on los labios. Thirteen Organics also offers these products in citrus flavor in case you’re wondering. I was also enticed by the lip scrub in stick formula, convenient and hygienic right? Let’s see what’s inside, shall we?
lip butter: organic castor seed oil, organic cocoa butter, candelilla wax, organic shea butter, zinc oxide, organic stevia extract, grapefruit seed extract, organic essential oils
The combination of organic castor seed oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter makes for intense hydration. These are hallmark ingredients for any moisturizing product. I just wish the formula did not include candelilla wax. I don’t think it works well with the otherwise emollient mixture and it takes away from the flavor experience.
lip scrub: organic coconut oil, *organic shea butter, organic sugarcane, candelilla wax, organic essential oils
Again, organic coconut oil and shea butter are the perfect mix for an emollient scrub. Unfortunately, the waxy sugarcane mix makes this scrub nearly unfunctional.
The Verdict
I’ve been using the lip balm for a few weeks now at bedtime, and while I wouldn’t say I’m in love, I’m definitely in like. This is a hard butter that glides over the lips fairly effortlessly. I do notice at times that the wax may turn stiff in the tube, and extra pressure is needed to get a smooth, even application. It has a noticeable waxy aftertaste which I find overpowers any minty flavor or sensation. But, I wake up to moisturized lips in the morning, so that’s a win in my books.
Now the scrub is a whole different story…I was super excited to try this. But, it didn’t work out as well as I had hoped. The lip scrub tube design is extremely difficult to apply on the lips, because the formula is hard and waxy. Thirteen Organics indicates you should apply just like a lip balm, rub in a bit, and then wipe off. I found the scrub to be so hard, that I couldn’t get any product on my lips. So, I decided to scoop some off with my nail, and that didn’t go so well either. With the little bit I managed to scrape off, I just couldn’t get the scrub to rub in properly and the large sugar crystals were pretty irritating on the lips.
I definitely think the scrub could be a little more emollient and fine milled. I would be open to trying this again if Thirteen Organics ever decides to reformulate, or maybe even repackage into a jar or squeeze tube. But for now, I can’t see myself irritating and possibly damaging my lips in an effort to exfoliate and soften.
Purchase the Peppermint Lip Butter and Peppermint Lip Scrub by Thirteen Organics
The Lip Butter and Lip Scrub retail at $7 CAD each for a 5 mL tube and can be purchased from the Thirteen Organics website.