The Best Paw Paw Lip Balms To Get Your Paws On

When it comes to lip balms, one of the most popular choices is a balm made with Paw Paw.

So, what is Paw Paw?

Paw Paw, also known as Papaya, is a vibrant yellow/orange coloured fruit grown in tropical climates. Sometimes confused with Mango, this sweet-tasting and nutrient-rich delight has many health benefits and is packed with antioxidants, Vitamins A and C, along with minerals like Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Iron. Not only is this fruit a delicious and nutritious addition to your diet, but it can also have benefits for your skin when applied topically, especially in the form of paw paw balm or ointment.

Papaya Fruit. Image source: Canva

What’s so special about Papaya ointment?

One of the key features of Papaya is the presence of proteolytic enzymes Papain and Chymopapain. A powerful digestive enzyme, Papain has also been found to be beneficial for the skin and has been used for many years as a topical application to assist with:

• wound healing & skin repair
• smoothing & tightening the skin
• soothing and calming inflamed skin
• preventing infection of burned areas

How can you use Paw Paw ointment?

Paw Paw ointment is truly versatile and can help with treating many minor skin ailments. Most natural Paw Paw ointments contain additional skin nurturing and hydrating ingredients, making them excellent for treating:

• Lips – soothing chapped, dry lips and offering protection from wind
• Wounds – minor cuts, burns, insect bites, grazes, sunburn, eczema, dermatitis, fungal infections
• Dry skin – softening and smoothing common rough skin areas like elbows and knees
• Hands & feet – softening for both skin and cuticles
• Hair – moisturising & helping to tame frizzies and flyaways
• Babies – soothing for sensitive skin and nappy rash

What about petroleum based Paw Paw balms?

There are two main reasons why I don’t like petroleum based Paw Paw products:

Firstly, the hero ingredient of Paw Paw lip balms and ointments is meant to be Papaya. Based on the listed ingredients, the amount of Papaya to be found in one particular top-selling 'Papaw Ointment' is around 4%, with the majority of the product being made up of cheap Petroleum Jelly. This means the active ingredient forms only a small portion of the total product. In addition, Petroleum Jelly, also known as Petrolatum, has to go through a refining process to ensure that certain carcinogenic components, like Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH’s), for example, are removed. We can only rely on the manufacturers to ensure the absolute purity of the finished product. With natural, petrochemical-free, Papaya lip balms and ointments, we don’t need to worry about contamination with PAH’s.

Secondly, Petroleum Jelly is water-repellent and non water-soluble, creating a barrier to prevent moisture loss. This may sound great in theory, but the concern is that it may be just too occlusive, effectively suffocating the skin by keeping it from breathing freely.

Naturally Safe Cosmetics' choice for the best Paw Paw balms and why we love them:

• P’URE Papaya Care Papaya Lips Lip Balm - Australian fermented Papaya has been combined with Shea Butter, Macadamia Oil & Jojoba Oil to make this formulation super hydrating. Added Calendula soothes and Candelilla Wax acts as a natural barrier to help prevent moisture loss.
• Suvana Certified Organic Paw Paw & Honey Balm - combines Paw Paw extract with soothing Honey, hydrating Coconut Oil & Coconut Butter as well as Carrot Oil which is rich in Vitamin E and Vitamin C. Also available in vegan friendly Suvana Natural Paw Paw & Coconut Balm.
• Hurraw! Organic Lip Balm – Papaya Pineapple -100% natural with cold-pressed Papaya Seed Oil, moisturising Safflower Seed & Coconut Oils, this one also has natural Pineapple flavour for a real tropical treat for your lips.

By the way, P'ure Papaya Care have got all of your skincare needs covered with their range of Paw Paw products, including P'URE Papaya Care Papaya Skin Food - Paw Paw with Calendula (apply anywhere on the body you need it), P'URE Papaya Care Papaya Renew Cream (for scars and stretch marks) and P'URE Papaya Care Vapour Balm which also includes eucalyptus and lemon myrtle (a warming formula that soothes and clears).

Disclaimer:
Neither the author, nor Naturally Safe Cosmetics, are health care professionals. Any information or advice in this article is of a general nature only and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For medical advice regarding your own personal circumstances, we recommend you contact your GP or other health care professional.