The Evolution of Lip Balm Through the Ages: Surprising Historical Facts

Lip balm didn’t start as a stick in your pocket. Its roots go back thousands of years and across continents. When I started researching what I wanted in a clean lip balm, I found myself deep-diving into its history. Turns out, petroleum wasn’t always part of the equation—and our ancestors were onto something way more natural.

Ancient Remedies and Early Ingenuity

Lip care goes way back to 3500 B.C. in Mesopotamia, where people crushed gemstones and mixed them with oils for both function and beauty. Ancient Egyptians refined that with beeswax, olive oil, and red ochre. Cleopatra herself used lip preparations to hydrate, protect, and attract—and some of those blends were traded across the Mediterranean.

Over in China and India, herbal salves made from ghee, sesame oil, and camphor were used to treat chapped lips and skin. Every region had its version. And none of them used petroleum.

Fun fact: in some parts of ancient history, earwax was also used to moisturize lips and wounds. It wasn’t glamorous—but it was natural, accessible, and full of protective oils. Just another example of how people used what they had long before commercial products existed.

Middle Ages to Early Innovation

During the Middle Ages, lip care didn’t go away. Europeans made balm using tallow (animal fat) and herbs like lavender or calendula. Fast forward to the 1800s, and you get the first real commercial twist. In 1880, pharmacist Charles Browne Fleet created one of the first modern lip balms in stick form, which would later evolve into the chapstick format we know now.

Vaseline entered the scene in the 1870s, and while it became the standard for "moisture protection," the science didn’t always follow. Early versions were contaminated, and even today, concerns about polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) linger.

Why the Past Might Be Smarter Than We Thought

A funny thing happened while digging through all this: I realized history might have had it right all along. The natural ingredients used for thousands of years—like beeswax, shea butter, olive oil—actually nourish and support the skin. Petroleum, by contrast, just sits on top.

Right now, we’re seeing a shift back toward those time-tested ingredients. Trends in 2025 include:

• Balms made without petroleum or synthetic flavors
• Products focused on safety for sensitive skin, kids, and nursing moms
• Clean beauty that aligns with ancient, natural approaches

Quick Timeline

Why This Matters Today

This isn't just trivia. Learning where lip balm came from sheds light on why so many are now looking for simpler, more natural alternatives. For some, petroleum works just fine. For others, it may not provide lasting moisture or might not align with their skincare values.

At Numbrrrz, I built something that gets back to the roots: USDA Organic balms made with only 4 ingredients.

If you want more info on what to avoid in lip care, check out my post: Best Natural Lip Balm Ingredients for Dry Lips: What to Avoid and Why

Or if you're still curious about why I launched Numbrrrz, read: Why I Quit My Job to Build a Better Lip Balm

CTA:
Want more surprising lip care facts? Watch my "Did You Know?" video series and follow along @Numbrrrz or @MixedMartha.

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