Classic Lip Balm — ingredient safety report

• Irritation:Dryness and peeling at exfoliating concentrations (0.5–2%).

The pore-clearing BHA exfoliant. Not for young children (salicylate absorption), used cautiously in pregnancy at low leave-on concentrations, and drying for compromised barriers.

• Pore-clogging:Rated 4/5 comedogenic; best kept off acne-prone facial skin.

A rich body butter that is highly comedogenic on facial skin — great for body, risky for breakout-prone faces.

• Allergy risk:Fragrance is the single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy.
• Irritation:Frequent trigger of stinging and redness on reactive skin.

An umbrella term that can hide dozens of undisclosed scent chemicals. Fragrance is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics, and dermatologists routinely advise fragrance-free products for eczema, babies and sensitive skin.

• Irritation:Sensory irritant; toxic to young children if ingested or over-applied.

A penetrating cooling agent that regulators warn against using on infants and toddlers; systemic toxicity is possible in small children.

• Irritation:Sensory irritant; the cooling feeling signals nerve stimulation, not soothing.

The cooling molecule from mint. Refreshing on healthy skin but a genuine irritant for reactive, broken or infant skin.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidation products are potent sensitizers.

The citrus-peel scent molecule. Like linalool, it becomes allergenic mainly after oxidizing in opened products.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidized linalool is a common patch-test positive.

A floral scent molecule found in lavender and many essential oils. It oxidizes on air exposure into strongly sensitizing compounds, which is why it must be declared on EU labels.

• Allergy risk:Long-recognized contact allergen, particularly on eczematous or ulcerated skin.
• Pore-clogging:Some derivatives are mildly comedogenic.

Wool wax — a superb emollient (and nipple balm staple) whose allergy risk is mostly relevant to people with chronic eczema or leg ulcers; modern purified grades react less.

• Pore-clogging:Cosmetic grade is minimally comedogenic despite its reputation.

Highly refined mineral oil is an inert, non-sensitizing emollient. Its bad reputation comes from industrial-grade oils that are never permitted in cosmetics.

• Cancer concern:Concern applies only to unrefined grades containing PAHs; cosmetic grade is highly refined (EU-mandated).

The most effective occlusive known and a staple of eczema care. The cancer concern belongs to unrefined industrial grades — pharmaceutical-grade petrolatum in cosmetics is rigorously purified.