65/100

Personal Care

Petroleum-Based Lip Balm

Low burden — Petroleum-Based Lip Balm is a relatively low-burden choice.

Mineral-oil / petrolatum lip balm applied and ingested daily.

The breakdown

Each driver rated 0 (none) to 10 (worst)

Chemical hazard
3
Everyday exposure
4
Persistence
3

Evidence strength: moderate · Detox Score = 100 − hazard×4.6 − exposure×3.4 − persistence×2.6, clamped 1–100.

What this means for you

A Detox Score of 65 places petroleum-based lip balm in the Low band. None of the three drivers is severe, which keeps the burden manageable. Poorly refined mineral oils can carry aromatic hydrocarbon impurities, and lip products are partly swallowed. Well-made plant- or beeswax-based balms avoid the concern.

Cleaner swap → Beeswax or plant-oil balms from refined sources.
See where your whole exposure load is highest — free Exposure Score →

Frequently asked questions

Is petroleum-based lip balm a toxic exposure?

Petroleum-Based Lip Balm has a Detox Score of 65 out of 100 (Low burden), which means it is a relatively low-burden choice. Poorly refined mineral oils can carry aromatic hydrocarbon impurities, and lip products are partly swallowed. Well-made plant- or beeswax-based balms avoid the concern.

What is a safer alternative to petroleum-based lip balm?

A lower-exposure swap for petroleum-based lip balm is: Beeswax or plant-oil balms from refined sources. Poorly refined mineral oils can carry aromatic hydrocarbon impurities, and lip products are partly swallowed. Well-made plant- or beeswax-based balms avoid the concern.

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