People experiencing reactions include:Customers using various lip oils and balms, including Topicals Slick SalveAnyone with underlying sensitivities to ingredients like peppermint (list below with possible allergens for your convenience)People with naturally sensitive lip skinThose at higher risk:Those with known allergies or sensitivitiesPeople who spend time in direct sunlight while wearing lip products

Common symptoms of lip reactions :Burning, swelling, redness, peeling, or discolorationReactions can be immediate or delayed (developing over time with repeated use)What Topicals is doing to help:Immediate refunds for Slick Salve purchased on our websiteFree Emergency Lip Kit for anyone who has experienced a lip reaction (includes Like Butter Moisturizer, Faded Eye Masks, and a healing guide)New formulations in development - flavourless version and enhanced formulas to reduce reactions

Emergency Lip Kit

Q: Immediate Care Instructions

Morning Routine:Use a gentle cleanser rich in HA with a Q-tip.Apply soothing lip balm/ointment with a Q-tip day and night.Apply lip SPF daily with a Q-tip.Avoid exfoliating products for at least two weeks when irritation first happens.Evening Routine:Avoid exfoliating products for at least two weeks when irritation first happens.Exfoliate 1-2 times per week with a small amount of scrub.Use a gentle cleanser rich in HA with a Q-tip.Apply soothing lip balm/ointment with a Q-tip day and night.

Q: Less Likely But Possible Irritants

Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneTypically used as a moisturizer, it's generally non-irritating, but individual reactions can vary.Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer & Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene CopolymerThese film-forming agents are usually safe but may irritate sensitive individuals.Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran WaxGenerally considered gentle, but any natural ingredient can potentially cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Q: Ingredients Unlikely to Cause Dermatitis

Ceramides (Ceramide NP, AP, EOP)These skin-identical ingredients help restore the skin barrier and are usually well-tolerated.Sodium Hyaluronate & Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateKnown for their moisturizing properties, they are typically non-irritating.Panthenol (Provitamin B5)Used for its soothing properties, it is generally safe for sensitive skin.Glycerin, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Xanthan GumThese ingredients are typically safe and are used to hydrate and stabilize formulations.RecommendationsPatch Test: Always perform a patch test when trying new products to see if any irritation or allergic reaction occurs.Consult a Dermatologist: If you suspect an allergic reaction, consider consulting a dermatologist for a professional evaluation.Product Elimination: If dermatitis occurs, try eliminating products one at a time to identify the ingredient causing the reaction

Welcome to our store

Meet the brand new Faded Starter Kit!

Understanding Lip Sensitivity

The Lips are some of the thinnest parts of the skin, making them more prone to irritation, sensitivities, and consequent reactions.

Depending on one's skin tone, reactions to the skin can result in excess pigmentation or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This can happen to anyone, but it is most common in melanin-rich skin due to the propensity to hyperpigmentation.

The Topicals Lip Recovery Program is designed to support your lip recovery journey through education, a recovery kit, and refunds for those experiencing sensitivity to slick salve.

What's Happening & What to Do Next

Immediate Care Instructions

Morning Routine:

Use a gentle cleanser rich in HA with a Q-tip.
Apply soothing lip balm/ointment with a Q-tip day and night.
Apply lip SPF daily with a Q-tip.
Avoid exfoliating products for at least two weeks when irritation first happens.

Evening Routine:

Avoid exfoliating products for at least two weeks when irritation first happens.
Exfoliate 1-2 times per week with a small amount of scrub.
Use a gentle cleanser rich in HA with a Q-tip.
Apply soothing lip balm/ointment with a Q-tip day and night.

Who is Affected?

People experiencing reactions include:

Customers using various lip oils and balms, including Topicals Slick Salve
Anyone with underlying sensitivities to ingredients like peppermint (list below with possible allergens for your convenience)
People with naturally sensitive lip skin

Those at higher risk:

Those with known allergies or sensitivities
People who spend time in direct sunlight while wearing lip products

What is Happening?

Common symptoms of lip reactions :

Burning, swelling, redness, peeling, or discoloration
Reactions can be immediate or delayed (developing over time with repeated use)

What Topicals is doing to help:

Immediate refunds for Slick Salve purchased on our website
Free Emergency Lip Kit for anyone who has experienced a lip reaction (includes Like Butter Moisturizer, Faded Eye Masks, and a healing guide)
New formulations in development - flavourless version and enhanced formulas to reduce reactions

Why Do These Reactions Happen?

Vulnerable lip anatomy: Lip skin is thinner and has no oil glands, making it more susceptible to irritation
Photosensitization: Some ingredients react with sunlight, causing allergic dermatitis
Environmental triggers: Weather changes, lip licking, and bacteria from repeated application
Body chemistry changes: Sensitivities can develop anytime as our bodies and environments change.
Frequent reapplication: Can lead to delayed hypersensitive reactions

Potential Lip Allergens for Those with Sensitivity

The following ingredients are found in slick salve mint and other popular lip products

Common Allergens and Irritants

Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil & Mentha Piperita Flower/Stem/Leaf Oil (Peppermint Oil):

These oils are commonly used for their cooling and refreshing properties. However, they can irritate some individuals and cause allergic reactions, leading to dermatitis.

Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)

Although generally considered safe, some people may be sensitive or allergic to this ingredient, resulting in skin irritation or dermatitis.

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

This surfactant and emulsifier can sometimes cause irritation or allergic reactions.

Fragrances and Essential Oils

Even though not all essential oils are listed, any product with natural oils or fragrances can cause an allergic reaction.

Less Likely But Possible Irritants

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Typically used as a moisturizer, it's generally non-irritating, but individual reactions can vary.

Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer & Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer

These film-forming agents are usually safe but may irritate sensitive individuals.

Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax

Generally considered gentle, but any natural ingredient can potentially cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Ingredients Unlikely to Cause Dermatitis

Ceramides (Ceramide NP, AP, EOP)

These skin-identical ingredients help restore the skin barrier and are usually well-tolerated.

Sodium Hyaluronate & Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Known for their moisturizing properties, they are typically non-irritating.

Panthenol (Provitamin B5)

Used for its soothing properties, it is generally safe for sensitive skin.

Glycerin, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum

These ingredients are typically safe and are used to hydrate and stabilize formulations.

Recommendations

Patch Test: Always perform a patch test when trying new products to see if any irritation or allergic reaction occurs.
Consult a Dermatologist: If you suspect an allergic reaction, consider consulting a dermatologist for a professional evaluation.
Product Elimination: If dermatitis occurs, try eliminating products one at a time to identify the ingredient causing the reaction

What's Next for Slick Salve

Our product team is currently in the lab working on enhancements to the existing Slick Salve Mint formula as well as developing a flavorless version of Slick Salve for anyone who experiences sensitivities.

Allergies have occurred very rarely with Slick Salve Açai due to the pigment load and absence of Mint flavor

A message from our Head of Product Development

Topicals performs extensive safety testing on all formulas before launch to ensure no skin irritation. We continue to conduct safety testing even after launch to help identify what possible reactions may occur. This is because we all have our skin identity with sensitivities, and a response to products can happen anytime.

With Slick Salve and other lip balms/oils on the market, lip irritation dermatitis is possible due to your excess bacteria left behind on the component mixing with the formula, the attraction of the gloss to UV rays, and contact allergic reaction to products or foods every day in our lives. We can develop an allergy to things we have been OK with. If you are/become allergic to a product, you only have to touch it once to keep the rash active.

To help resolve lip irritation, stop use of the product, use a gentle cleanser rich in hyaluronic acid with a Q-tip, apply a soothing lip balm/ointment with a Q-tip day and night, and apply lip SPF daily with a Q-tip.

Dr. Tracey