Health Hazard Numerous lip balms are contaminated with carcinogenic petroleum

Health Hazard: Carcinogenic oil found in lip balms
If they are also among the people who regularly use lip care products, they should pay attention to the results of a recent study. The Stiftung Warentest found out that many of these care products contain petroleum-based substances. Some are suspected of causing cancer.

Carcinogenic substances in lip care
For many people, it goes without saying that they always have a care stick for their lips at hand. Research has shown, however, that many of these pens pose a major health hazard because they contain substances that may be carcinogenic. For example, a study carried out for the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Consumer Protection found mineral oils in lip care. Stiftung Warentest has now tested various lip care products and discovered critical substances in every second pencil.

The Stiftung Warentest found that many lip balms contain carcinogenic substances. The experts advise against using such products (image: Dan Race / fotolia.com)

Regular users ingest four lipsticks per year
According to the German consumer testing commission, the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has calculated that regular users swallow around 20 grams of lipstick per year - that's about four lipsticks.

It is all the more important that the products are free of critical substances. Because through the mouth they easily get into the body.

Stiftung Warentest has examined 35 lip care products. In a statement, it says: "In 18 products, the testers found critical substances, even in well-known brands. The good news: we can recommend 15 lip cleansers - including almost all natural cosmetics products in the test. "

According to another report, saturated or aromatic hydrocarbons (Mosh or Moah) or synthetic hydrocarbons (Posh) were found.

Petroleum-based substances also in branded products
According to the data, mainly lip care products containing petroleum-based raw materials are affected. Including branded products such as Labello, Blistex or Bebe. The critical substances can enter the body directly through the mouth.

The aromatic hydrocarbons (Moah) are suspected to be carcinogenic. For saturated hydrocarbons (mosh), the health consequences are not fully understood. Stiftung Warentest therefore recommends refraining from these lip care products.

The European Food Authority (EFSA) already estimates the amount that consumers receive about food alone as "potentially questionable". The recording should therefore be kept as low as possible.

Natural cosmetics products perform better
But even without oil-based ingredients, the lip care products may contain substances of concern.

Thus, in two products from the pharmacy - the lip balm Nutritic lips by La Roche-Posay and the Aqualia Thermal lip balm by Vichy - critical Posh was found. These are synthetic hydrocarbons that are very similar to mosh and could also accumulate in the body.

Even in a natural cosmetic product, Bee Natural's pomegranate pomegranate, the foundation found little trace of mosh - possibly due to contamination in the lip balm during the manufacturing process.

But the testers of Stiftung Warentest also have good news: 15 of the 35 tested lip care products are recommended. Including products from Cien (Lidl), Balea (dm) or Bepanthol.

Taking a look at a natural cosmetic product can be worthwhile, because: "Among the 15 lip care products in which we have not found any critical substances are also 6 of the 7 products with natural cosmetics seals". (Ad)