What Is PFAS and Why Is It in Your Lip Balm?

If you've been hearing the term "PFAS" thrown around lately, you might be wondering what it actually means and why it matters when it comes to something as small as your daily lip balm.

I'm Debbie, the founder of Balms by Billie, and PFAS is one of the main reasons I started making my own skincare from my kitchen in Melbourne. So let me explain what these forever chemicals are, why they keep ending up in our beauty products, and what you can use instead.

WHAT PFAS ACTUALLY MEANS

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of around 12,000 synthetic chemicals that have been used in everything from non-stick pans to waterproof jackets to firefighting foam since the 1940s.

They're nicknamed "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally. Once they're in your body, in your water supply, or in the environment, they stay there. For generations.

WHY ARE THEY IN LIP BALM

PFAS are added to cosmetics including lip balms, foundations, mascaras and sunscreens because they help with spreadability, long wear, and water resistance. In a lip balm specifically, they can make the product glide on smoothly and stay put for hours.

The problem? Lip balm doesn't stay on your lips. We swallow it. We reapply it constantly throughout the day. Some studies estimate we ingest several grams of lip product every year.

WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

Studies published in 2021 and 2022 tested hundreds of popular cosmetic products and found PFAS in a significant percentage of waterproof mascaras, foundations, lipsticks and lip balms often without being listed on the label.

Research has linked PFAS exposure to thyroid disease, certain cancers, fertility issues, immune system effects, and developmental delays in children. While research is ongoing, regulators around the world are increasingly moving to ban or restrict PFAS in cosmetics.

HOW TO AVOID PFAS IN YOUR PRODUCTS

Look for these red flags on ingredient labels:
• Anything starting with "fluoro" (fluorohectorite, polyfluoroalkyl)
• PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, yes, the same Teflon)
• "Long-wear" or "waterproof" claims without a natural ingredient list
• Vague terms like "fragrance" that hide other chemicals

The simplest rule: if you can't pronounce most of the ingredients, you probably don't want them on your lips.

WHAT WE DO INSTEAD

Every product at Balms by Billie is PFAS free. No exceptions. Our Classic Tube Lip Balm contains just four ingredients: beeswax, shea butter, castor oil, and vitamin E. That's it. You can read every word on the label, understand what each thing does, and know exactly what you're putting on your lips dozens of times a day.

Because if I wouldn't put it on my daughter Billie's lips, I wouldn't sell it to yours.

THE BOTTOM LINE

PFAS in lip balm is one of those small, daily exposures that adds up over a lifetime. The good news is it's also one of the easiest things to swap. Switching to a natural lip balm is a five-minute decision that protects your family from forever chemicals every single day.

If you're ready to make the switch, our full range of PFAS-free lip balms is available at balmsbybillie.com.au handmade in Melbourne with simple, transparent ingredients.

Made with love, Debbie (Billie's mum) 🌼

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