LIP BLUSH

100% plant-based, fully edible, SPF moisturising lip oil with Shikon root extract

Update: Discontinuing after this batch is finished due to the absence of shikon root extract.

LIP BLUSH is formulated as a skincare moisturiser that has natural sun protection properties and also doubles up as a lip and cheek stain. It is especially created for the lips, therefore the ingredients chosen are 100% edible. The individual ingredients used are for herbal medicine (calendula, gromwell root), food (sweet almond, camellia seed, grapeseed) or for dietary supplements (pomegranate seed, raspberry seed) use!

The natural SPF comes from the amazing raspberry seed CO2 extract, and also shikon root, almond and grapeseed oils are also known to absorb harmful UV rays. Our lips are often not protected from sun, hence causing the lips to thin out due prolonged UV damage and the lack of collagen as we age. Many of the ingredients here are capable of skin repair, collagen renewal, and they also help to retain moisture on the lips; protecting the skin layer from environmental stress and sun damage. After your first use, youll notice how soft and supple your lips have become, with many thanks to the beautiful golden calendula flower extract in keeping your skin well soothed.

The star ingredient in LIP BLUSH is none other than our Asian herbal plant medicine, 紫草 Lithospermum erythrorhizon (gromwell root), also known as Shikon in Japan. In traditional herbalism, gromwell root is effective against common cold, sinus infection, and viral illness and has been used as a remedy for colds, flu, fever, and sore throat. Gromwell root's first recorded medicinal use appeared in the ancient Chinese medical text, The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica , written thousands of years ago, between 200 – 250 CE.

Gromwell root was also cultivated in Japan since the Nara period, 710-794 CE, for both its medicinal properties and also to make a highly prized beautiful red-purple dye reserved only for the Imperial Empress and her handmaidens. It has been used for many centuries in Japan due to Shikon's extraordinary healing and antiseptic properties, and it is still used by Japanese in many of their skincare products to heal scars and improve skin tone.

In Traditonal Chinese Medicine, gromwell root is known to promote skin healing as it works both topically and internally to clear heat and inflammation and cleanse toxins from the blood and skin. One study found that Gromwell root, when taken internally, measurably balanced skin hydration and surface lipids in patients with atopic dermatitis, therefore improving this condition.

Another 2020 study found that the anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties of gromwell root inhibited chemokine receptor function and suppressed HIV Type 1. The study recommended that gromwell root is a worthy natural component to be included in the development of novel anti-HIV therapeutic agents. Recent clinical trials in China have also shown that gromwell root extracts can safely alleviate uroschesis (painful urine retention) as the herb is able to reduce levels of uric acid and sodium in the body.

ABOUT YOUR CHOSEN SCENT: Do note that some of the add-on scent options will only impart a subtle smell/flavour to your LIP BLUSH (also mainly to camouflage the raw veggie/beetroot-ish original smell). Some of them can be stronger whereas some lesser, depending on the individual botanical oil as they each have their own dilution safety and sensitizing risk. As the lips on our skin are different and can be quite sensitive, I do take safety precaution with these "natural flavours".

Sweet almond kernel oil, organic red raspberry CO2 extract, grapeseed oil, pomegranate CO2 extract, organic calendula CO2 extract, gromwell root CO2 extract, rosemary anti-oxidant CO2 extract.