What unwanted chemicals are hiding in lip balms? Find the answer here

We purchased 50 lip balms and lip masks in January and February 2026, both in physical stores and online.

We reviewed the ingredient lists for substances that may be allergenic, suspected endocrine disruptors, or problematic for the environment.

Product names and ingredient lists were sent to the manufacturers to ensure that the information was accurate and to give them the opportunity to comment on the findings of the test.

We tested six lip balms marketed to children.

Four of the six children's lip balms receive the lowest evaluation, a c-rating, because they contain perfume or suspected endocrine disruptors. Children are particularly sensitive to fragrance ingredients.

Two children’s lip balms are free from unwanted chemicals and receive an a-rating.

Lip masks are similar to face masks, but designed for the lips to treat dryness and chapping.

We included 10 lip masks in the test, and two of them are free from unwanted chemicals and receive an a-rating. Seven lip masks contain perfume and receive a medium evaluation, a b-rating, and one lip mask contains a suspected endocrine disruptor and receives the lowest evaluation, a c-rating.

We tested four lip balms with SPF for the presence of problematic UV filters.

Two of the four lip balms receive the lowest evaluation, a c-rating, because they contain suspected endocrine‑disrupting UV filters. The other two receive the best evaluation, an a-rating. They contain UV filters that are not suspected endocrine disruptors.

Nine lip balms contain suspected endocrine disruptors.
These include a preservative, several UV filters, and a fragrance ingredient associated with this concern:

• BHT – an antioxidant suspected of being a suspected endocrine disruptor. Found in five products.
• Cyclopentasiloxane – a silicone substance suspected of being a suspected endocrine disruptor and environmentally harmful. Found in one product.
• Propylparaben – a preservative suspected of being a suspected endocrine disruptor. Found in one product.
• Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate – a UV filter suspected of being a suspected endocrine disruptor. Found in one product.
• Benzophenone‑3 – a UV filter that the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has concluded is an endocrine disruptor. Found in one product.
• Ethylhexyl salicylate – a UV filter suspected of being a suspected endocrine disruptor. Found in one product.
• Salicylic acid – a skin‑care ingredient suspected of harming fertility. Found in one product.

Suspected endocrine disruptors can affect our hormonal system.

Hormonal disruptions can contribute to reduced sperm quality or earlier puberty in girls.

Products that contain suspected endocrine disruptors are not dangerous on their own, but they contribute to our total exposure to unwanted chemicals.

Leave‑on care products are especially relevant to pay attention to if you want to limit your direct exposure.

Suspected endocrine disruptors receive the lowest evaluation, a c-rating.

Half of the lip balms in the test contain perfume.
It may be added to give the product a specific scent or flavor, but it can also cause allergies on the skin on and around the lips.

Perfume receives a medium evaluation, a b-rating, in the test. In products marketed to children, however, perfume results in a c-rating. We recommend that all products for children be free from perfume.

The coloring agent titanium dioxide is found in one in four lip balms.

The substance has been banned as a food additive because it cannot be ruled out that it may damage our DNA and therefore be carcinogenic when ingested. Since we ingest a large part of the lip balm we apply to our lips, we also evaluate titanium dioxide in lip balms.

Titanium dioxide receives a medium evaluation, b-rating, in the test.

Twenty‑four lip balms contain ingredients based on mineral oils such as petrolatum and paraffin.

Mineral oils make up a group of substances that can be problematic when ingested, especially the subgroups MOSH and MOAH, which can be found as contaminants in food.

In lip balms, mineral oils can be problematic because a large part of the product is ingested when applied to the lips.

Mineral oils receive a medium evaluation, b‑rating, in the test.

We found environmentally harmful substances in 16 products.
These include the fragrance ingredients Limonene and benzyl benzoate, as well as cyclopentasiloxane and the UV filter benzophenone‑3. Depending on the substance’s environmental classification and other environmentally problematic properties, it results in either a b‑rating or a c‑rating.