To think that all this time I was using Lucas Papaw ointment thinking it was a perfectly natural product that was doing the world of good for my skin. I feel like I’ve been deceived…the shame of it all!!
What you may not know, and what the Lucas Papaw company don’t tell you on their actual product, is that their world famous ointment CONTAINS PETROLEUM JELLY!!! You know what this means for society as a whole?? We’re all going to die!!
Lol jokes, it’s not quite that horrific.
However, petroleum jelly isn’t all that fabulous. If you knew where it came from, you might reconsider using it on your lips. Petroleum jelly (A.K.A petrolatum, baby oil, mineral oil, liquid paraffin) is basically a by-product of the oil industry, coming from crude oil that has been refined and heavily processed. Just because it’s been used for ages, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s completely safe. Petrolatum creates a physical barrier against the skin, meaning moisture can’t get in and toxins can’t get out! There have also been claims that it may be carcinogenic. While I am not saying that you should avoid this product at all costs, I just want to let you know that there are some alternatives out there that do not contain this questionable ingredient.
Natural Alternative Organic Paw Paw Ointment- $7.95 for 30g
Ingredients: Castor (Ricinus Communis) Oil, Beeswax, Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil, Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Butter, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Honey, Jojoba (Buxus Chinensis) Oil, Vanilla (Vanilla Plantifolia) Oil, Carrot (Daucus Carota Sativa) Oil, Stevia (Rebaudiana Bertoni) Extract, Tocopherol
Suvana Paw Paw & Honey organic lip balm- $8.95 for 35g
Ingredients: Castor Oil; Beeswax; Coconut Oil; Cocoa Butter; Papaya Extract; Honey; Jojoba Oil; Vanilla Bean Oil; Candelilla Wax; Carrot Oil; Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni Extract; Tocopherol
Nude by Nature Papaw Ointment- $5.95 for 30g
Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit Oil, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Jojoba Esters, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Parfum (Fragrance)
Note: Fragrance from essential oils
Nature’s Care Paw Paw Balm- $4.95 for 30g
Ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Castor oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, sorbitan olivate, beeswax, silica, macadamia oil, mango seed butter, rice bran wax, jojoba esters, natural paw paw extract(carica papaya), natural paw paw flavour.
Brauer Paw Paw Ointment- $5.49 for 25g
Ingredients: Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed oil), Carica Papaya (Paw Paw Fermented), Hydrogenerated Castor Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Beeswax (Certified Organic), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Honey, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Daucus Carota (Carrot Oil), Potassium Sorbate
There are even more out there, but I think this at least leaves you with a few decent alternatives. Some of these paw paw ointments, such as Suvana and Natural Alternative, are available at Health Food stores; others like Nude by Nature and Nature’s Care are easier to find in department stores. Also, if you’re into buying big, Brauer and Nude by Nature carry 75g pot jars of the stuff.
As for me, I’m still not sure which one I’m going choose to replace my Lucas. It’s a close call between Suvana and Nature’s Care- both contain great ingredients and have really pretty packaging (yes, I am shallow; pretty packaging is important to me…)
So yes, the title is probably over-dramatic, but I really wanted to get the message out there! Hopefully you are now at least aware of the potential danger of using petrolatum and know where to look if you’re thinking of replacing your bright red baby. Who knows, you may even end up preferring a natural variety? 😉
Feel absolutely free to leave any comments or questions below.
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