Is Chapstick Flammable? [Lip Balm, Lipstick, Lip Gloss]

is-chapstick-flammable

Lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm are all produced under the well-known Chapstick brand. You probably know them, but their ingredients could have caught your attention. Several people have questioned whether these products’ ingredients ( waxes, oils, and petroleum jelly) pose a fire risk. Is chapstick flammable? 

This well-researched article answers that question. We also discuss whether chapstick freezes melts in hot weather, or expires. Ultimately, we’ll tell you if chapstick can start a fire.

Read: Is Gorilla Tape Flammable?

Is Chapstick Flammable?

Chapstick is not flammable. They are not flammable, which makes them stand out among their many products manufactured with various formulas. It doesn’t mean they won’t burn, though. But, for chapstick to ignite, the lighter must reach a flash point of 199.4°F (93°C). Hence, before the chapstick ignites, you must hold it near a flame for a few seconds.

Flammable substances are defined by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) as any substance with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C). You can bring chapstick (lip balm, lipstick, and lip gloss) on board a plane because they are not flammable. They should be solid, not liquid, gel, or aerosol.

Does Chapstick Melt in Heat?

The melting point of chapstick is 104°F( 40°C). Oils and waxes, which naturally melt in warm temperatures, are some of their ingredients. Then why doesn’t chapstick melt when you apply it if your body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C) on average? Because the products are designed to soften but not melt when rubbed against the skin.

Some of the ingredients in chapstick melt at higher temperatures. The melting point of beeswax is 145°F (63°C). Much higher melting points exist for wax. Products with at least 15-20% wax do not melt at average temperatures. The majority of the components in chapstick are designed not to melt at average temperature since doing so would make it unstable.

But chapstick that contains fatty thickeners like stearic acid is more prone to melt when left out in the sunlight. Use a lip primer before applying the lipstick to stop it from melting on warm days. Over the lipstick, you can also use lip gloss.

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Chapstick products’ flavors and colors may make them more prone to melting. 

However, lip balms with petroleum-based oils resist melting the best. 

Is Lip Balm Flammable?

Lip balm is not flammable. Even though it depends on the products it is made from, most are not flammable. Most lip balms are made from petroleum jelly, beeswax, or paraffin wax. These ingredients, while they can burn quickly, are not flammable. 

Is Lip Gloss Flammable?

Lip gloss is flammable when still liquid. Once it dries, it becomes inflammable. As a result, it should be applied in a cool, dark, and dry place away from open flames and electric sparks. Lip gloss is mainly made with coloring chemicals, waxes, oils, and, occasionally, fragrances.

Is Lipstick Flammable?

Lipstick is combustible but not flammable. The majority of lipsticks are created with petroleum-based materials (hydrocarbons). Wax, moisturizers, oils, and pigments are additional constituents in lipsticks. None of these components are thought to be combustible. Lipstick’s sturdy shape is provided by wax, which is obtained from numerous plants and bee wax.

Does Chapstick Expire?

According to Chapstick, if a product’s label does not include an expiration date, it will not expire. According to the consensus, lip cosmetics should only be used for one to two years after opening. They are more prone to go bad if they are not used frequently. Most lip products have a shelf life of 6 to 12 months after opening.

Their freshness will also depend on the average temperature. 68–77°F (20–25°C) is the ideal temperature range for keeping chapstick products.

Preservatives are used in some chapstick brands, while natural ingredients are used in others. Natural substances like beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil expire faster. Chapstick products that don’t contain preservatives expire faster than those that do.

As the expiration dates on your chapstick products reach, you should throw them away. The ingredients in those chapsticks with expiration dates may have gone bad. Nonetheless, Chapstick recommends that their products be discarded after a year, even if they don’t have an expiration date.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two essential components used in sunscreens, which are also present in some chapstick products. Both are naturally occurring harmless minerals but lose their effectiveness with time. Expired chapstick may contain bacteria and fungi that can harm your skin.

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But how can you tell if chapstick has expired?  If you see any of the physical signs:

  • If the chapstick smells rotten or unpleasant, the oils likely went bad.
  • The consistency changes and turns crumpy, clumpy, or hard.
  • Mold or other growths can be seen physically.
  • A color change. Oxidation from exposure to heat or sunshine may have happened if the chapstick becomes yellow or brown.

Can Chapstick Freeze?

Chapstick can indeed freeze. Although the texture will alter, the active components won’t be inactive. Extreme temperature variations are one of the reasons why some people decide to freeze their chapstick. These temperature variations will affect the formulation or consistency of the chapstick. They can separate when wax, oil, and water are exposed to heat or humidity.

Chapstick shouldn’t be stored in the freezer, though. It can be challenging to use frozen chapstick since it can separate. Applying the chapstick to your lips becomes challenging. Your lips can also freeze from the extreme cold.

The ideal place to store chapstick is in a cool environment. The refrigerator can work if the temperature is kept to one-degree celsius or lower.

Can You Start a Fire With Chapstick?

You can use chapsticks to start a fire. Ensure you have a few cotton balls, wood or bark shavings, and a dab of chapstick to start your fire. Chapstick contains combustible components such as petroleum and wax, which serve as the fire’s fuel. Chapstick’s main component, petroleum jelly, is also helpful as a fire starter in dire conditions.

Here’s how Chapstick with natural tinder for Survival fire starting – Old Man’s Beard

Chapstick cannot, however, be used to start a fire on its own. If you’re unsure about how to proceed, follow these steps:

  1. Put a small amount of chapstick on your cotton, bark, or ward of grass.
  2. Light the cotton or wood shavings with a match or a lighter.
  3. A small fire started by the chapstick quickly spread to the larger tinders. You’ll soon have a blazing fire.

FAQ’s

Will lip balm melt in the mail? 

Lip balm can’t melt in the mail. It is generally reasonably resistant to melting. However, to be safe, use an insulated envelope and include some cooling or ice pack. 

You should also check with the shipping company to enquire if they can provide temperature controlled environment.  

Is vaseline better than chapstick?

Given that vaseline has fewer components, it might be preferable. Since Vaseline is also flavorless and odorless, it might be preferable if you typically react to different substances. Both form a barrier to prevent dry air from absorbing the moisture from the lips.

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The primary difference between the two is in the components. Several flavors, scents, and variants of chapstick can irritate your lips. There could be allergens in some chapstick that could result in an allergic reaction.

You might be tempted to keep chewing on the chapstick due to its many flavors, which could gradually become an addiction. If you only apply a thin layer of vaseline, you won’t experience the same problems.

Can you use Chapstick as a candle?

Yes, you can use chapstick as a candle. If it doesn’t burn too quickly, you can use a string or a matchstick as a wick. Stick it in the balm, lip gloss, or lipstick after coating the wick with chapstick wax.

Ensure the wick is planted slightly off-center and that it is kept short. The flames will melt the plastic lip of the container, so you can only use the chapstick candle for a short time.

Can you eat chapstick?

You should never attempt to eat chapstick. The chapstick products are not meant to be consumed but only for external usage. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t become alarmed if you or your child accidentally swallows a small amount.

Large quantities of chapstick consumed are likely to have specific adverse effects. The first symptoms you’ll experience are mild diarrhea, moderate nausea, and mouth, throat, stomach, and eye irritation. Intestinal blockage and shortness of breath are some serious adverse effects.

Read: Is Grease Flammable?

Conclusion

Lip gloss, lip balm, and lipstick products from Chapstick are all non-flammable. The only liquid substance that ignites is lip gloss. Chapstick does occasionally melt and get messy because of some of its ingredients. Hence, you should avoid leaving chapstick in the car on a hot summer day.

After the opening date, chapstick products are only good for a year. You should follow that recommendation if the label doesn’t have an expiration date. Otherwise, once the product’s expiration date has passed, you should discontinue using it. Although chapstick does freeze, you might not want to use it owing to the texture change. Interestingly, you can light a fire or make a candle with chapstick.

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