MoistureStic Natural Lip Protection ($2.59, naturallyfreshdeodorantcrystal.com) is a cruelty-free, natural lip balm that gets its moisturizing properties from emollient coconut oil and is scented with peppermint oil. The tasty balm makes lips feel soft and smooth, unfortunately, it doesn’t have sun protection — a major necessity with lip balm. Fortunately, there is one with SPF 15 — if you go with this lip balm, making sure to get that one.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a gentle, commonly-used emollient.

Virgin coconut oil has been found to have both emollient and antimicrobial effects (Dermatitis). In a study on Staphylococcus aureus, participants were given either virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil. While both helped to stop the bacteria from colonizing, virgin coconut oil worked better than virgin olive oil.

Coconut oil is often used in baby products and other products for sensitive skin because it has a low incidence of irritation. That’s not to say it’s never irritating, as it’s rare, but still possible to have a coconut oil allergy (Indian Pediatrics, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology).

It’s been shown to aid in burn healing, though researchers do not understand why exactly and have hypothesized that this is because of it’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties (Indian Journal of Pharmacology).

It also have some UV protective qualities. Coconut oil blocks about 20% of UV rays (Pharmacognosy Review).

[Read More: Spotlight On: Coconut]

Peppermint Oil

Aside from its great scent, peppermint oil also has antimicrobial properties.

A study looking at its ability to inhibit the absorption of benzoic acid found that peppermint oil helps to improve barrier function (Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology). It’s also been shown to help soothe irritated skin (University of Maryland Medical Center).Juice from the leaves of the peppermint plant has been shown to have antibacterial properties. Herbalists consider it an antimicrobial, antibacterial, astringent, and many other things (Pakistan Journal of Botany).

It’s considered possibly safe in terms of application to skin, mostly because allergies are possible and there hasn’t been a lot of studies done on long-term usage (MedlinePlus).

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is known for its antimicrobial properties.

Tea tree oil has been used to treat skin conditions such as rashes, warts, athlete’s foot and many others in traditional medicine (Tea Tree Oil). This is a combination of its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties as well as it’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Tea tree oil is known, in particular, for it’s antimicrobial properties. In one study, it inhibited the respiration of E. coli, Staph. aureus and C. albicans (Journal of Applied Microbiology).

Another study found that tea tree oil helped to curb a pro-inflammatory response, meaning that it works as an anti-inflammatory agent (Inflammation Research).

Diluted tea tree oil has been found to have a cytotoxic anti-carcinogenic effect on tumors on mice (Journal of Dermatological Science).

Unfotunately, it has been found to cause contact dermatitis for some, and a study on patients found that it caused allergic contact eczema (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology).

[Read More: Is Tea Tree Oil Effective for Acne? (Guest Post)]

Personal Use and Opinion

MoistureStic Natural Lip Protection has a super minty sent and goes on very smoothly. It tingles a little, thanks to the peppermint oil, but not in an unpleasant way. It’s not too thick of a balm, which is good, and it leaves lips feeling moisturized for hours.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have much in the way of sun protection. While coconut oil has some UV-blocking properties, it’s not the same as a lip balm with UV-protection. It would be beneficial to include something like Zinc Oxide in the formulation.

Bottom Line

With many super-moisturizing ingredients, like coconut oil, lanolin, and beeswax, MoistureStic Natural Lip Protection is natural but also keeps lips soft. The peppermint extract makes it smell pleasant and gives it a tingling sensation and the tea tree oil offers anti-microbial protection, as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Sadly, though, it doesn’t include any UV-protection, which is super important for lips, since they undergo so much sun exposure. It’s a good balm, but I’d recommend going for the one with sun protection.

Product Rating:  7/10

• High or optimized concentration of key ingredients: 2/3
• Unique formulation or new technology:  2/3
• Value:  3/3
• Sunscreen: 0/1