Zinc Oxide Lip Balm

Ingredients used effectively for thousands of years

Waxhead uses modern holistic science and traditional ingredients to restore human’s healthy relationship with the sun. We use only superior quality, minimally processed ingredients. Our sunscreens contain only non-nano, uncoated, French process Zinc Oxide, 100% certified organic edible-grade inactive ingredients, and absolutely NO petrochemicals. Our zinc oxide formulas deliver the most effective protection across the entire UVA/UVB spectrum.

6 Total Ingredients

1. 10% Non-Nano Zinc Oxide
2. Fair Trade Shea Butter
3. Superfine Lanolin
4. Certified Organic Beeswax
5. Non-GMO Vitamin E
6. Certified Organic Peppermint Oil

Ingredient Details + Source of Origin

1. 10% NON-NANO ZINC OXIDE

Zinc oxide absorbs UV energy via bandgap absorption and reflects and scatters in the visible spectrum, preventing skin penetration and cell damage. The broadest spectrum UVA/UVB reflector that’s FDA-approved for sunscreen use, zinc oxide is also the only FDA-approved active ingredient for use on children under 6 months of age. Zinc oxide holds tight to its electrons when it absorbs UV energy, limiting the creation of free radicals that cause oxidative damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. We use non-nano, uncoated, French process Zinc Oxide as our sole active sunscreen ingredient.

EWG Rating: 2
Origin > USA

2. SHEA BUTTER

Ancient West African history contains mentions of jars of rich shea butter used for skin and hair care. Naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F (linoleic acid), shea butter offers some UV protection and provides skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. Much more than a moisturizer, it delivers key anti-inflammatory and anti-aging components to skin. Our 100% pure, unrefined, certified organic shea butter is produced by a woman-owned, fair-trade cooperative in Ghana.

EWG Rating: 1
Origin > West Africa

3. SUPERFINE LANOLIN

Sometimes called wool wax, Lanolin is a byproduct of Merino sheep, and was used as a moisturizer in Greek and Roman times. Lanolin naturally protects sheep from harsh weather conditions, and when used in our products, protects skin from extreme conditions in the same way. Dry skin is caused by a loss of water in the upper layer of the skin, and emollients like lanolin work by forming an oily layer on the top of the skin that traps water in the skin. No sheep are harmed during the collection of lanolin. Once they are sheared, lanolin is extracted from the wool. We use only superfine lanolin, the highest quality, purest grade available.

EWG Rating: 1
Origin USA, Canada

4. BEESWAX

A top moisturizer, Beeswax protects and repairs rough, dry or chapped skin by locking in moisture. Beeswax has emollient properties, softening and rehydrating skin while aiding in cellular reconstruction. It is also non-comedogenic: it won’t clog pores. Plus it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective in the treatment of acne. We use only non-GMO, certified organic beeswax in our skincare products.

EWG Rating: 1
Origin > Argentina, Turkey

5. VITAMIN E

Vitamin E is a superb antioxidant known for its skin-healing properties and free radical quenching. It is a fat-soluble nutrient and antioxidant, defends against oxidative stress, improves skin elasticity, and prevents wrinkles, age spots and blemishes. Vitamin E can reduce the appearance of scars or burns by normalizing the color and texture of the skin, all while stimulating healing and growth of new skin cells. We use only Vitamin E oil from certified organic, non-GMO sunflower seeds.

EWG Rating: 1
Origin > USA

6. PEPPERMINT OIL

Natural Peppermint Oil is an essential oil used as long ago as ancient Rome and Egypt. Peppermint oil improves memory, raises alertness and creates a cooling sensation on the skin. It also exhibits antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antioxidant, antiseptic, and natural insect repellent properties. Most importantly, it heals cracked lips, which is why we use it in our lip balm. We only certified organic peppermint oil.

EWG Rating: 1
Origin > India

Lip Balm FAQs

Will this balm make my lips white?

Yes, some. When used properly, zinc oxide sunscreen gives skin a visible whitish hue.

What is the SPF of this lip balm?

Our lip balm will deliver about 18-20 SPF, based on its 10% edible grade, non-nano zinc oxide. We do not advertise the SPF on our lip balm, since we have not had it officially tested (we also do not advertise it as a "sunscreen" for the same reason), but it is absolutely a fully effective sunscreen with an 18-20 SPF, which (for example) will reduce 4 hours of UV exposure to an equivalent of 12-13 minutes of unprotected exposure. If you need higher SPF for your lips, you can use our Sport Paste sunscreens, which have a 30 SPF, and would reduce the above exposure to about an 8-minute equivalence. (ANY of our sunscreens can be used perfectly safely on the lips, since they only contain edible grade, non-toxic ingredients.

When will this lip balm expire?

Technically 3 years from purchase, but the useful life of our sunscreens has no practical limit, since our active ingredient zinc oxide is a mineral and does not lose its sunscreen capabilities over time, EVER. However, the FDA requires all sunscreen products to list a 3-year shelf life (mainly because petrochemical active ingredients in common sunscreens degrade quickly, even on the shelf). Regardless, if you ever feel a Waxhead product has spoiled, just let us know, and we'll send you a free replacement.

Is this lip balm tested on animals? Is it Vegan?

Waxhead uses absolutely NO animal testing. We test our sunscreens on willing humans using federally mandated FDA sunscreen testing protocol in order to accurately calculate our products’ SPFs for labeling. Our Lip Balm contains beeswax, so it's not technically vegan.

Why does Waxhead cost more than other sunscreens?

Our prices represent a true cost to the world. We source our top-grade ingredients only from reputable, fair-trade, cruelty-free companies that are almost entirely US-based. We don’t purchase ingredients from countries with questionable labor or production practices. Learn more.

How to Apply Waxhead Lip Balm

Thick and tough, our lip balm takes a little effort to apply. A little goes a long way and you can see exactly where you’re applying it.

Step 1: Dot balm onto lips in sections

Put lip balm in small dots on sections of lips.

Step 2: Spread out over one area at a time

Once a section is dotted, rub lips together and thin out into an almost invisible layer across your skin.

Step 3: Rub in to reduce whiteness

After you’ve rubbed your lips together, you can further rub in with your fingertips to a thinner coverage and basically eliminating the white color on your skin. It takes a few more seconds, but you can achieve complete coverage without any white residue. Our sunscreen will not fully absorb into the skin like chemical sunscreens, even though after rubbing it can appear transparent.