June 21, 2013

Lip Balm Reviews: Update

I have currently, temporarily removed the published lip balm review posts from my blog, pending confirmation/negation of peanut cross-contamination from shop suppliers (shared equipment and/or processed in the same facility as peanuts).  From contacting shop sellers and asking about this pertinent issue, I have learned that many are simply unaware of:

- How common shared processing facilities are;
- How deadly food allergies (and allergies in general) can be;
- If their product contains trace amounts of known allergy-causing ingredients.*

The most important thing I've learned from this research:
No cross-contamination in a shop does not guarantee that cross-contamination did not occur from the supplier.  If you have allergies, is vital to directly ask the seller about both of these.

Two of the original five lip balms to review are fully peanut free:

1. Long Winter Farm
Ingredients (from the chai-flavored balm):
Natural Beeswax, Sweet Almond, Grapeseed, and Jojoba Oils, Cocoa and Unrefined Shea Butters, Vitamin E, Flavor Oil.

This is what LWF says:

Yup! That's something bath product makers have to consider when selecting a supplier, along with many other things such as sustainability of harvest, processing method, storage temperature at facilities, container materials, etc. Allergen cross-contamination is of course the top concern, and it would take extreme negligence on the part of the supplier (unless a maker was ordering supplies from Nabisco, I guess) to even offer an allergen-contaminated product.













My review:
Prolific, hugely popular Etsy seller who does her research when it comes to allergies.  Balm texture is occasionally inconsistent, but holds up well in hot weather.  Reapplication is needed every few hours, and does not leave glossy lips--a great unisex product.  The banana nut flavor is very deliciously true to banana bread!


2. Worker B
Ingredients:
Beexwax, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Almond Oil, Organic Avocado Oil, Raw Honey, Propolis Tincture, Vitamin E Oil.

What Worker B says about this:
Deanna,

Thank you for your email and interest in Worker B!

Our products do not contain any trace of peanuts.  We do all of the manufacturing ourselves, with separate, dedicated utensils for each product. Please note that we do use other nut oils in our formulations - almond and kukui nut oils for example.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Best,

Michael and Worker B

My Review:
Discernible herbal (propolis) and raw honey flavor, luxurious balm-like texture and long-lasting lip protection.  A unisex, lightly glossy balm whose medium-thick application leaves lips feeling pampered without all the fuss.  Expiration dates are printed on the tube.  A new favorite!

* * *

*DISCLAIMER:
As with all allergies, it is very important to email/ask the seller if the item contains even a trace amount of what you are allergic to--in this case, peanuts (including shared manufacturing equipment and actual item ingredients)--before ordering any food or beauty products.  If the product is safe for you to use and is purchased, always "patch test" the product on your wrist or arm before using it to fully make sure you do not have an allergic reaction.  

I have not been compensated for any reviews.

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