by Natalie K. Bell

Baume de Rose by Terry has a powerful rose smell that wafts up right as you open it.

Baume de Rose by Terry (SPF 15) ($59, Amazon.com) is a thick, rose-scented balm that promises to protect lips from the environment and UV rays and heal lips. I can’t resist something that seems so luxurious — I really like feeling like I’m pampering myself, so I had to give it a try and see if it worked.

Ricinus Communis Oil

Better know as Castor Oil, this is used in cosmetics as a moisturizer and emollient. It was once used as a laxative, can cause anaphylaxis when injects, and can induce labor when ingested (Royal Society of Medicine). However studies have shown that when applied topically, castor oil is not toxic when applied topically and, thus, is safe for beauty product usage (PubMed, 2007).

Tocopherol

This antioxidant is better know as vitamin E, which is a pretty big deal as far as antioxidants go (CredoReference). One study showed that it had a pretty high Environmental Protection Factor (EPF), which measures how well it works at protecting against oxidative stress. At 80 it beats out kinetin (68), ubiquinone (55), vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (52), and lipoic acid (41). Though it didn’t beat out idebenone (95) or coffee berry, which wasn’t tested in this study (McDaniels, et. al., 2006).

Titanium Dioxide

In beauty products, Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen and its white pigment helps add opacity to beauty products. Light that hits it bounces off the skin and prevents UV ray absorption (Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Society). There have been concerns that it could penetrate the skin and damage DNA but a study done with micronized titanium dioxide found that it did not penetrate beyond the top layer of skin (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2009). However, it doesn’t have as broad a spectrum of protection as zinc oxide.

Parabens

Some people feel concerned for parabens because a study found parabens in breast cancer tumors, but they subjects the cells to several thousand times more parabens than are found in beauty products (The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology). And the USDA stated in 2005 that parabens at the levels they exist in cosmetics do not pose a threat to consumers (Formulation and Science).

Personal Use and Opinion

It had a nice sheen without being too glossy and an ever-so-slight slight pink tint.

I really like Baume de Rose. The potent rose smell is so luxurious and calming. It’s thicker than a normal lip balm, but in a smooth and satisfying way that isn’t sticky. This isn’t a thin balm so it does feel like a pretty thick coating on your lips — especially if you apply it too liberally. It had a nice sheen without being too glossy and a very subtle pink color to it, thanks in part to the titanium dioxide, I’m sure. The balm seems to last for a long time, even when rubbing my lips together. Though it rubbed off most of the way while I was eating, my lips still felt smoother and more moisturized than they had before.

The Bottom Line

Baume de Rose by Terry is thick, but not sticky and has healing potential.

Baume de Rose by Terry has effective ingredients and antioxidants, as well as sunscreen protection — though that protection is not as effective as zinc oxide. It contains parabens and while I believe their safe at the levels they exist in beauty products, I understand why some people would choose to eschew them. It’s a rich, fragrant blend that shows signs of healing and protection against environmental factors because of its antioxidant content. This would work well for someone who wanted a great soothing and moisturizing lip balm — who also likes the smell of roses!

Product Rating: 8.5/10

• High or optimized concentration of proven effective ingredients: 2.5/3
• Unique formulation or new technology: 2/3
• Value: 3/3
• Sunscreen: 1/1

Ingredients

RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SYNTHETIC WAX, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, HYDROXYSTREARIC/LINOLENIC/OLEIC POLYGLYCERIDES, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, METHYL HYDROGENATED ROSINATE, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, POLYETHYLENE, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, CORYLUS AVELLANA (HAZEL) SEED OIL, PARFUM / FRAGRANCE, C20-40 ACID, TOCOPHEROL, CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, GERANIOL, ROSA CENTIFOLIA FLOWER (WAX) CERA, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER (WAX) CERA, TRIHYDROXYPALMITAMIDOHYDROXYPROPYL MYRISTYL ETHER, CITRONELLOL, ALUMINA, ALUMINUM STEARATE, POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID, MICA, CITRIC ACID, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE, BENZYL BENZOATE, BHT, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CI 75470 / CARMINE, EUGENOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, CITRAL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HEXYLENE GLYCOL