The Glow Balm: Ingredients that Will Change Your Lip Game

When it comes to caring for our lips, selecting the right lip balm can make a significant difference. However, have you ever taken a moment to consider the ingredients in your lip balm?  It's important to look for lip balms made with nourishing ingredients. In today's world, it's also essential to prioritize cruelty-free and vegan ingredients. IKA BEAUTY's Glow Balm is a lip balm that encompasses all of these features.

In this blog post, we will delve into the key ingredients of the Glow Balm that will leave your lips feeling soft, well-hydrated, and healthy looking. Whether you are contending with dry, chapped lips or simply seeking an exceptional daily lip balm, continue reading to uncover the remarkable components of the Glow Balm and their specific benefits.

Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola)

The primary potent ingredient featured in our product is Gotu Kola, also known as Centella Asiatica, a herb traditionally utilized in various medical systems, including Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and Siddha medicine. While scientific research specifically focused on the lip benefits of Gotu Kola remains limited, the herb's inherent properties suggest its potential advantages for lip health.

One of Gotu Kola's notable benefits lies in its anti-inflammatory properties, attributed to the presence of triterpenoids. These triterpenoids have demonstrated the ability to mitigate skin inflammation. By suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting enzymes that contribute to inflammation, triterpenoids can effectively calm and soothe irritated skin. This quality is particularly advantageous for the sensitive and prone-to-dryness lip skin, which can suffer from issues like dryness, cracking, and inflammation.

Incorporating Gotu Kola into lip balm formulations can promote healthy, youthful-looking lips by reducing inflammation and supporting the skin's innate healing mechanisms.  Moreover, Gotu Kola boasts commendable moisturizing properties, which, when combined with its anti-inflammatory attributes, contribute to the hydration and soothing of dry, cracked lips, restoring their natural plumpness and moisture.

Gotu Kola herb stands out for its richness in antioxidants, including flavonoids and vitamin C, which serve to neutralize free radicals and shield the lips from oxidative damage. Both flavonoids and vitamin C are robust antioxidants capable of safeguarding the lips against premature aging induced by free radicals, unstable molecules that can harm cellular structures. 

In lip balm formulations, the combined action of flavonoids and vitamin C provides robust antioxidant defence for the lips.

Vitamine E

Vitamin E stands as a potent antioxidant renowned for its capacity to safeguard the skin from harm induced by free radicals. Moreover, it serves as a natural moisturizer, effectively preventing dryness and chapping on the lips. A study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology supports the notion that topical application of vitamin E has demonstrated the ability to enhance the general well-being and visual appeal of the skin, including the lips.

Vitamin E serves to help regenerate the lips as well as protect the structural barrier.

Avocado Oil 

Avocado oil is abundantly endowed with healthy fats and antioxidants, rendering it an exceptional ingredient for nourishing and hydrating the lips. Supported by research published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, avocado oil has been recognized for its anti-inflammatory attributes and its capacity to enhance the skin's barrier function (Lopez et al., 2018). This property is instrumental in shielding the lips from environmental stressors and maintaining their soft and supple appearance.  

When combined, Vitamin E and avocado oil can synergistically deliver enhanced benefits for your lips. These two natural ingredients are adept at maintaining the health and vitality of your lips. Together, they offer a spectrum of advantages, including moisturization, hydration, and protection of the barrier against environmental stressors, ensuring your lips remain healthy and resilient.

Shea Butter 

Shea butter is a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, which grows in Africa. It has been used for centuries for its healing and moisturizing properties. Shea butter is commonly used in cosmetics, including lip balms, due to its ability to provide a protective barrier on the skin and help prevent moisture loss, also known as an occlusive. An occlusive is a type of ingredient commonly used in lip care products that creates a barrier on the skin's surface to prevent moisture loss and protect the lips from environmental stressors. Occlusive ingredients help to seal in moisture and prevent the lips from becoming dry and cracked.

Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and vitamins that can help to nourish and hydrate the lips. It also contains compounds such as lupeol, cinnamic acid, and triterpenes, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These are three important compounds that contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Sunflower and Cottonseed Oil 

It has been found to also have moisturizing and soothing properties, which can be applied to the lips. Sunflower oil also contains high amounts of vitamin E, which as mentioned before is a potent antioxidant that may help protect the skin from damage caused by environmental stressors.  Cottonseed oil is rich in fatty acids, including omega-6 linoleic acid and omega-9 oleic acid. These fatty acids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects on the skin. It was found to be effective in reducing skin inflammation and improving skin hydration.