Why Silicone Shows Up in Lip Balms
Cosmetic chemists reach for silicone oils such as dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane because their low surface tension helps balm glide quickly and evenly. Silicones are non-greasy, resist water, and can temporarily fill in fine lines to create a smooth finish. Those are useful traits when a product is aiming for a flawless, makeup-ready look.
They are also budget-friendly. Commodity silicone fluids can cost well under a dollar per pound when purchased at scale, while skin-compatible emollients like lanolin or plant-derived squalane routinely land at several dollars per pound. That price gap keeps silicone in heavy rotation for mass-market formulas trying to hit a rock-bottom cost per tube.
Where Silicone Falls Short
- Short-term slip, not long-term nourishment. Silicone forms a lightweight film on top of the skin instead of melting in. That barrier can block nutrients from sinking deep, so you feel instant slip without the lasting conditioning that plant oils and butters deliver.
- Build-up that needs a scrub. Many silicones are not water soluble. They can linger on lips and need surfactants or exfoliation to fully remove. When that layer finally wears off, lips often feel dry or flaky.
- Environmental persistence. Certain cyclic silicones have been flagged by environmental agencies in Europe and Canada for accumulating in waterways, prompting new restrictions as researchers track how slowly they break down. Wastewater treatment systems struggle to capture every trace, so they drift into sediment and the food chain before finally degrading.
- Carryover to everything you touch. Our balm lives on hands, lips, and gear; silicone’s clingy film can smear onto cups, instruments, climbing holds, and camera lenses. Leaving a synthetic residue on shared surfaces runs against the multipurpose, anywhere mission we have for the stick.
- Potential sensitivity for some skin types. While generally considered low risk, people with reactive or acne-prone skin sometimes report clogged pores around the mouth when rinse-off cleansing is inconsistent. Choosing breathable, natural oils lowers that chance.
Our Natural Alternative
Instead of leaning on silicone for slip, we rely on natural beeswax, lanolin, sugarcane-derived squalane, and meadowfoam seed oil that melt into the lips and reinforce the skin’s own lipid barrier. Each brings vitamins, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants that encourage lasting softness long after the first swipe.
They also biodegrade readily and align with the simple, low-impact toolkit we aim to keep in every pocket. The feel is rich on first swipe and settles in as your lips actually absorb the nutrients. Because our balm is meant to travel everywhere and condition anything from lips to knuckles, leather bags to metal tools and plastic casings, we prefer ingredients that won’t contaminate gear or the environment when they inevitably rub off.
The Bottom Line
Silicones deliver a quick cosmetic finish at a bargain price, yet they come with trade-offs for long-term comfort and environmental stewardship. By skipping them, we can focus on ingredients that do real work, last through the day, and break down without leaving a trace on lips, gear, or the planet.