Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause serious health issues. This leads many people with gluten-related conditions to be vigilant about checking labels and contacting manufacturers to verify which consumer products are gluten-free.
Lip balm is one such product that often gets questioned. Do lip balms contain gluten? Read on for a detailed look at what’s inside popular lip balm brands and whether they are considered gluten-free.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat (including spelt, triticale, khorasan wheat/Kamut), barley, rye, and crossbreeds of these grains. The two specific gluten proteins that cause issues for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity are:
– Gliadin – found in wheat
– Glutenin – found in wheat
– Hordein – found in barley
– Secalin – rye
For people with celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine. Even small amounts of gluten can cause issues. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity causes gluten-related symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and fatigue but does not damage the intestine.
Those with gluten-related disorders must follow a strict lifelong gluten-free diet, avoiding any foods, beverages or medications that contain gluten. This includes monitoring non-food items like lip products.
Common Lip Balm Ingredients
When evaluating whether a lip balm contains gluten or not, it’s important to understand what ingredients are commonly used to make these products:
Emollients
Emollients are waxes and oils that help condition and smooth the lips. Common emollients in lip balms include:
– Beeswax
– Cocoa butter
– Coconut oil
– Lanolin
– Mineral oil
– Petrolatum
– Shea butter
– Sunflower seed oil
Humectants
Humectants attract and retain moisture in the lips. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are humectants often added to lip balms.
Occlusives
Occlusives create a protective barrier on the lips to seal in moisture. Dimethicone and mineral oil are often added as occlusives.
Flavorings & Colorants
Flavorings like peppermint oil or honey add taste to lip balms, while colorants provide tint. Both natural and artificial ingredients are used.
Active Ingredients
Some lip balms contain extra active ingredients like sunscreen, menthol, camphor, and vitamins. These can provide benefits beyond just moisturizing.
Preservatives
Preservatives prevent microbial growth and extend the shelf life of lip balms. Common preservatives include parabens, phenoxyethanol, and sodium benzoate.
Thickeners
Thickeners give lip balm its smooth, gel-like consistency. Beeswax naturally thickens lip balm, while ingredients like cetyl alcohol and stearic acid are added thickeners.
So in scanning the ingredients list of a lip balm, the key items to watch for in terms of gluten are flavorings and active ingredients. The other common components – emollients, humectants, occlusives, colorants, preservatives, thickeners – do not contain gluten.
Are Lip Balms Gluten-Free?
The majority of mass-market lip balms do not contain ingredients with gluten. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when verifying whether a lip balm is gluten-free:
1. Wheat-derived ingredients
Some lip balms may list “wheat germ oil” or “wheat bran extract” amongst their ingredients. These derivatives contain gluten and are not safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
2. Barley-derived ingredients
Like wheat, barley derivatives such as “barley extract” would contain gluten and should be avoided.
3. Flavorings
Look out for flavorings like “malt flavor” which could be derived from barley malt. Lip balms flavored with oats should also be verified as gluten-free, since some oats are cross-contaminated with wheat or barley.
4. Medicated lip balms
Some medicated lip balms contain active ingredients like phenol or menthol for a soothing effect. If the source of these actives is wheat or barley alcohol, they would not be gluten-free.
5. Imported brands
Lip balms produced overseas may have different formulas than American brands. Check each imported lip balm carefully for gluten-containing ingredients.
So while most regular lip balms are gluten-free, it’s still wise to scan the ingredients before applying anything new to your lips. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should also look for lip balms labeled “gluten-free” for extra assurance.
List of Popular Gluten-Free Lip Balm Brands
Here is a list of some top-selling lip balm brands that are gluten-free:
Burt’s Bees – Their classic Beeswax Lip Balm is gluten-free. Burt’s Bees also makes tinted balms, lip shimmers, overnight treatments and lip scrubs that are gluten-free.
EOS – All EOS spherical lip balms are gluten-free. This includes their Organic Lip Balms, Visibly Soft Lip Balms, Shimmer Lip Balms, Active Care Lip Balms with SPF, and Medicated Tinted Lip Balms.
Blistex – Their classic lip balms in pots or tubes are gluten-free, including Blistex Lip Medex, Lip Revitalizer, Lip Balm SPF 15, and Lip Protectant/Sunscreen SPF 30. Some Blistex Deep Renewal lip balms also state “gluten-free” on packaging.
Chapstick – Lip balms from Chapstick and Chapstick Total Hydration are gluten-free. This includes their classic tubes, tinted balms, and lip butters.
Nivea – Nivea lip care products like their Classic Care Lip Balm, Lip Butter, Hydro Care Lip Balm, and other varieties are gluten-free.
Neutrogena – Their lip balms including Norwegian Formula, Revitalizing Lip Balm, Naturals Lip Balm, and Lip Soothers are gluten-free.
Carmex – Carmex Classic Lip Balm in the tube or jar is gluten-free and safe for those avoiding gluten.
Vaseline – The Vaseline Lip Therapy line including tinted balms, Lip Therapy Rosy, Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter, and Lip Therapy Shea are gluten-free.
Labello – Labello Classic Lip Balm and their range of Lip Butters in tasty flavors are gluten-free.
Lypsyl – Both their classic Lypsyl Intensive Protection Lip Balm and Lypsyl Intensive Care are gluten-free.
So when scanning the lip balm aisle, you can feel confident grabbing a tube of Burt’s Bees, EOS, Blistex, Chapstick, Nivea, Neutrogena, Carmex, Vaseline, Labello or Lypsyl. Just be sure to always double-check the ingredients on any new product.
Are Medicated Lip Balms Gluten-Free?
Medicated lip balms contain active ingredients to provide extra relief for painfully chapped or cracked lips. Common medicated ingredients include:
– Camphor – numbs and cools
– Phenol – numbs and disinfects
– Menthol – cools and soothes
– Benzocaine – local anesthetic
– Salicylic acid – exfoliates dead skin
– Capsaicin – increases blood flow
When sourced properly, these ingredients are gluten-free. However, sometimes the source of these compounds can be wheat or barley alcohols, which would contain gluten.
Some examples of gluten-free medicated lip balms include:
– Blistex Medicated Lip Balm – Uses menthol from mint plants. Gluten-free.
– Blistex Ultra Rich Hydration Medicated Lip Protectant – Contains menthol from corn mint plants. Gluten-free.
– Carmex Medicated Lip Balm – Sources menthol from mint leaves. Gluten-free.
– Lypsyl Medicated Lip Balm – Uses menthol derived from mint oil. Gluten-free.
– Chapstick Medicated Lip Balm – Includes menthol from plant extract sources. Gluten-free.
As always, it’s wise to check each individual product for gluten-containing ingredients. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer to verify their medicated lip balms are gluten-free.
Watch Out for These Potentially Gluten-Containing Ingredients
While most regular lip balms are gluten-free, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should still scrutinize labels carefully. Watch out for these ingredients that could potentially contain or be derived from gluten sources:
– Wheat germ oil
– Barley extract
– Malt flavor/malt extract
– Oat derivatives (oat extract, oat oil, etc.)
– Alcohol/ethanol (if from wheat, barley)
– Phenol (if from wheat or barley alcohol)
– Menthol (if from wheat/barley alcohol)
– Alpha-glucosidase enzymes (can be from wheat)
– Phytic acid (can be from wheat)
– Polysorbates (can be from wheat)
– Soy peptides
– Hydrolyzed vegetable/plant protein (unless verified gluten-free)
– Artificial flavor (unless verified gluten-free)
If you spot any questionable ingredients on a lip balm, it’s safest to avoid it or contact the manufacturer for clarification. Stick to lip balms from reputable brands that are labeled gluten-free whenever possible.
Homemade Gluten-Free Lip Balm
For those who prefer all-natural lip balm or have multiple ingredient sensitivities, it’s possible to make homemade gluten-free lip balm.
Here is an easy lip balm recipe with just a few ingredients:
Gluten-Free Homemade Lip Balm
– 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets
– 1 tablespoon coconut oil
– 1 tablespoon shea butter
– 1/2 teaspoon honey (optional)
– 3-5 drops essential oil for scent (optional)
Instructions:
1. Using a double boiler, melt the beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter together over medium-low heat.
2. Once fully melted and combined, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
3. Stir in honey if using, for extra moisturizing effects.
4. Next add in any essential oils you would like for scent. Lavender, peppermint and lemon oils make nice options.
5. Pour the lip balm mixture into small tins or tubes. Allow to fully set at room temperature before use.
This simple homemade recipe allows you to control all the ingredients. It provides all the moisturizing benefits of store-bought lip balms without any questionable additives. Feel free to experiment with different oils, butters, and scents!
The Bottom Line
Lip balm makes an important addition to any gluten-free skin care routine. Chapped, dry lips are uncomfortable and painful, so having some lip balm on hand to provide moisture and protection is essential.
The good news is that most major lip balm brands do not contain gluten. Widely available options from Burt’s Bees, EOS, Blistex, Chapstick, Nivea, Neutrogena, Carmex, Vaseline, Labello and Lypsyl are gluten-free. Always check labels though, especially on medicated lip balms or imported brands.
Look out for wheat, barley or questionable ingredients as you scan component lists. When in doubt, call or email the manufacturer directly to verify their lip balms are gluten-free. Making your own lip balm at home is another option using ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils.
With some care reading labels and selecting only reputable brands, those with gluten intolerance can keep their lips smooth with gluten-free balms. Chapped lips don’t stand a chance against a little balm!