Petrolatum-Free Lip Care Study Results
The results are in! Although I was envisioning being able to announce that every last tester was completely swept off their feet with the wonders of petrolatum-free lip care, it wasn't quite that cut and dry. Despite this, I am not the least bit unhappy with the results this test has produced.
If you remember, I wanted to find self-proclaimed constantly-struggling-with-dry-lips testers who were also hard-core petrolatum product users. I basically asked for the worst thinkable odds – and even enlisted help to achieve this. Anette at BeautySpace was kind enough to recruit, scan, and provide the (Danish) test group.
How it Was Set Up
At the end of February, test products were made and sent to the 33 participants: 32 in Denmark and 1 Dane who is mainly in Spain (tee hee.. had to throw that little rhyme in).Approx. 2 weeks after the products were sent, testers received an email with a link to an online survey. 32 testers answered the survey questions.
I used a free service called Survey Monkey to set everything up. All answers were anonymous. Survey Monkey also provided the graphs below.
Additional Comments From Testers
Almost every question included a field for 'additional comments'. Many of the testers provided additional input - the large majority of which was positive. I have included only excerpts of the positive comments, as many were similar. There were very few negative comments. I have, however, included almost all of the negative comments, as these were more varied.Before we go into detail, let's have a look at the headlines
59.4%
had a positive first impression of the test product
56 %
reported that the test product was 'better' or 'far better' at moisturizing
40.5 %
reported that the test product did a 'better' or 'far better' job of protecting their lips and they subsequently 'didn't need to apply as often'.
0 % Hardly ever
25 % Once in a while (usually seasonal)
22 % Often, but only for short periods
3 % Often and for longer periods
25 % Constantly, but I can keep it at bay by using lip products
12 % Constantly and my lips get flaky
12 % Constantly and my lips crack and flake
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"I often get red lips (in a line so it looks like I'm wearing lipliner) and it stings and I can't keep myself from moistening my lips by licking them, and that makes the problem even worse."
"I'm nursing at the moment and am out walking with the baby carriage several times a day. Both my lips and hands suffer from that."
"It's worse in winter."
"If I don't use something every day, my lips would be dry."
15.6 % Less than 1 month
18.7 % Less than 6 months
21.8 % 6 - 12 months
28.1 % 1 - 2 years
9.4 % 3 - 6 years
3.1 % 7 - 10 years
3.1% over 10 years
59,4 % Positive
31.2 % Neutral
9,4 % Negative
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"Didn't like that I had to apply with my fingers"
"Didn't like the smell - it reminded me of sheep"
"I loved the consistency and the neutral scent"
"Really positive - felt great with no taste and no scent"
87.5 % yes
12.5 % no
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"I was traveling so it was only a week and 2 days"
"I ran out of product after about 8 days"
"Yes and I am glad I still have some left because I've been using it on my cuticles and nails. My nails are look better and have stopped splitting and cracking - not to mention what it's done for my lips."
"I didn't use during the day as it dissolves my foundation."
25 % Much better
31.2 % A little better
28 % About the same
15.6 % A little less effective
0 % A lot less effective
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"It softened in a different way than my normal product."
"It disappeared during the night. I was up 3-4 times a night and it wasn't there any more and my lips felt dry."
"My lips have become much softer and I noticed I didn't need to apply as often."
"I experienced the product absorbing quickly. It also had a very immediate soothing effect, but I would have liked to have a longer lasting feeling. Maybe if there was some shea butter in there.."
"My lips and nails feel so much better. The moisturizing has been so effective that I didn't need to apply as often."
"I experienced my lips stayed soft longer than normal."
"It wasn't so fast at removing the flaky lip feeling."
"I didn't feel any difference in this product to my regular product. It did exactly what I expect of a lip balm."
"I am super satisfied with how effective this product is. It's really nice to have a feeling of soft lips all the time. My only complaint is the taste. It tasted like kissing a sheep!
"I felt like it absorbed too quickly. It felt good and moisturized well upon application, but after half an hour it had absorbed leaving my lips drier than when I started."
31.2 % Much better
9.3 % A little better
43.7 % About the same
12.5 % A little less effective
3.1 % A lot less effective
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"I used it several times a day - depending on how the weather was. It works like my regular product but I became quite fond of the the test product"
"I'm not quite sure what is meant by protection"
"The product absorbs quick - especially when I go outside in the cold, so I don't think it gave very good protection - especially in strong cold winds"
"I didn't feel any difference in this from my regular product in the winter cold."
"Both softening and protection were vary satisfactory - especially because we've had some real cold days"
"It felt like wearing a 'film' on the lips if it was applied just before going outside into the cold"
"The test product kept my lips softer and more moisturized longer than I am used to"
"My lips cracked and flaked even though I used the test product. They don't do that with my normal product, which I have used for over 7 years"
18.7 % Yes, the test product was much better, so I used much less than normal
21.9 % Yes, the test product was a little better, so I used a little less than normal
40.6 % No, my use was about the same as with my regular lip care product
12.5 % Yes, my use increased some because the test product was less effective
3.1 % Yes, my use increased a lot because the test product was much less effective
3.1 % Yes, my use increased, but that was because I enjoyed using the test product
0 % I stopped using the test product before the test period ended
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"I forgot to apply because it wasn't necessary - even with the freezing weather we've had"
"I had to dig out my regular product a few times because my lips got too dry and the test product couldn't fix it"
"I haven't used as much as I normally do"
22 % Always
37,5 % Once in a while
15.6 % Seldom
25 % Never
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"I avoid scent and taste"
"I avoid ingredients that can be bad for the environment"
"I try to avoid perfume and parabens"
"I look for spf"
"After testing this product I will be looking for petrolatum-free"
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The Ultimate Balm Gloss Pot (without any essential oils) was the test product. Pictured above, the production of 5ml sample pots that were made especially for this test.
Petrolatum-free lip care - the study begins
reported that the test product was 'better' or 'far better' at moisturizing
40.5 %
reported that the test product did a 'better' or 'far better' job of protecting their lips and they subsequently 'didn't need to apply as often'.
And here are the individual questions from the survey:
QUESTION 1
How often do you have dry lips?
0 % Hardly ever
25 % Once in a while (usually seasonal)
22 % Often, but only for short periods
3 % Often and for longer periods
25 % Constantly, but I can keep it at bay by using lip products
12 % Constantly and my lips get flaky
12 % Constantly and my lips crack and flake
"I often get red lips (in a line so it looks like I'm wearing lipliner) and it stings and I can't keep myself from moistening my lips by licking them, and that makes the problem even worse."
"I'm nursing at the moment and am out walking with the baby carriage several times a day. Both my lips and hands suffer from that."
"It's worse in winter."
"If I don't use something every day, my lips would be dry."
QUESTION 2
How often do you apply a lip care product?
0 % 1-2 times a month
0 % 3-4 times a month
0 % 1-2 times a week
9,4 % several times a week
22 % 1-2 times a day
31 % 3-4 times a day
37.5 % several times a day
QUESTION 3
How long has your present lip care product been your preferred product?
18.7 % Less than 6 months
21.8 % 6 - 12 months
28.1 % 1 - 2 years
9.4 % 3 - 6 years
3.1 % 7 - 10 years
3.1% over 10 years
QUESTION 4
How was your first impression of the test product?
59,4 % Positive
31.2 % Neutral
9,4 % Negative
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"Didn't like that I had to apply with my fingers"
"Didn't like the smell - it reminded me of sheep"
"I loved the consistency and the neutral scent"
"Really positive - felt great with no taste and no scent"
QUESTION 5
Did you use the test product for the entire 2 week period?
87.5 % yes
12.5 % no
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"I was traveling so it was only a week and 2 days"
"I ran out of product after about 8 days"
"Yes and I am glad I still have some left because I've been using it on my cuticles and nails. My nails are look better and have stopped splitting and cracking - not to mention what it's done for my lips."
"I didn't use during the day as it dissolves my foundation."
QUESTION 6
MOISTURE: How was the test products ability to moisten and soften your lips as compared to your regular lip care product ?
25 % Much better
31.2 % A little better
28 % About the same
15.6 % A little less effective
0 % A lot less effective
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"It softened in a different way than my normal product."
"It disappeared during the night. I was up 3-4 times a night and it wasn't there any more and my lips felt dry."
"My lips have become much softer and I noticed I didn't need to apply as often."
"I experienced the product absorbing quickly. It also had a very immediate soothing effect, but I would have liked to have a longer lasting feeling. Maybe if there was some shea butter in there.."
"My lips and nails feel so much better. The moisturizing has been so effective that I didn't need to apply as often."
"I experienced my lips stayed soft longer than normal."
"It wasn't so fast at removing the flaky lip feeling."
"I didn't feel any difference in this product to my regular product. It did exactly what I expect of a lip balm."
"I am super satisfied with how effective this product is. It's really nice to have a feeling of soft lips all the time. My only complaint is the taste. It tasted like kissing a sheep!
"I felt like it absorbed too quickly. It felt good and moisturized well upon application, but after half an hour it had absorbed leaving my lips drier than when I started."
QUESTION 7
PROTECTION: How was the test products ability to protect your lips as compared to your regular lip care product?
31.2 % Much better
9.3 % A little better
43.7 % About the same
12.5 % A little less effective
3.1 % A lot less effective
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"I used it several times a day - depending on how the weather was. It works like my regular product but I became quite fond of the the test product"
"I'm not quite sure what is meant by protection"
"The product absorbs quick - especially when I go outside in the cold, so I don't think it gave very good protection - especially in strong cold winds"
"I didn't feel any difference in this from my regular product in the winter cold."
"Both softening and protection were vary satisfactory - especially because we've had some real cold days"
"It felt like wearing a 'film' on the lips if it was applied just before going outside into the cold"
"The test product kept my lips softer and more moisturized longer than I am used to"
"My lips cracked and flaked even though I used the test product. They don't do that with my normal product, which I have used for over 7 years"
QUESTION 8
Did you experience a change in your pattern of use during the test period?
18.7 % Yes, the test product was much better, so I used much less than normal
21.9 % Yes, the test product was a little better, so I used a little less than normal
40.6 % No, my use was about the same as with my regular lip care product
12.5 % Yes, my use increased some because the test product was less effective
3.1 % Yes, my use increased a lot because the test product was much less effective
3.1 % Yes, my use increased, but that was because I enjoyed using the test product
0 % I stopped using the test product before the test period ended
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"I forgot to apply because it wasn't necessary - even with the freezing weather we've had"
"I had to dig out my regular product a few times because my lips got too dry and the test product couldn't fix it"
"I haven't used as much as I normally do"
QUESTION 9
Do you look for specific ingredients (either as must-have or must-avoid) when you buy lip care products?
22 % Always
37,5 % Once in a while
15.6 % Seldom
25 % Never
Some of The Additional Comments to This Question
"Avoid perfume and essential oils"
"I avoid scent and taste"
"I avoid ingredients that can be bad for the environment"
"I try to avoid perfume and parabens"
"I look for spf"
"After testing this product I will be looking for petrolatum-free"
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Special Thanks To Anette and All The Lips
A very special thanks to Anette at Beauty Space for finding the 33 self-proclaimed dry-lipped, petrolatum-product-using people who participated in this study. Thank you testers, for your willingness to put your beloved regular lip care product away for 2 weeks, and for providing your honest feedback.What Was The Test product??
The Ultimate Balm Gloss Pot (without any essential oils) was the test product. Pictured above, the production of 5ml sample pots that were made especially for this test.
Read More About This Study Here
"Until proven otherwise, mineral oil is the best choice for skin care"Petrolatum-free lip care - the study begins
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