I’ll admit that I heard that Lucas Paw Paw Ointment contained petroleum jelly years ago and as a result, I axed them then and there. Since then, you could say that Lucas Paw Paw has been on my list of “must investigates” but given I hadn’t seen anybody use this product in years, it was somewhere near the bottom of the pile. This week, all that changed as a tube of Lucas Paw Paw ointment re-surfaced during a conversation with friends and coincidentally, that same night Facebook, told me that a make-up artist has also let the cat out of the bag. With social media in an up-roar, I decided I’d weigh in.
The Back Story
A Melbourne based make-up artist Wanda Waller, has claimed that Lucas Paw Paw Ointment is made from Petroleum Jelly. The truth? She’s right. As per the company website, they proudly state that they use pharmaceutical grade petroleum jelly and wax as one of their main ingredients.
Whilst the use of Petroleum Jelly in cosmetics may not surprise you, this might: contrary to what the name of the product has lead us to believe Lucas Paw Paw Ointment consists of a mere 4% Paw Paw (0.30mg/g). Again, this is stated on their website.
Something else you may not be aware of is that the company also uses Balsam of Peru as a fragrance. According to sources, Balsam of Peru smells of vanilla and cinnamon because it contains among 25 or so different substances – cinnamein, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl cinnamate, benzyl benzoate, benzoic acid, vanillin, aldehyde, farnesol, and nerolidol… hrmmm.[1][2]
What do I use?
There are a number of paw paw ointments on the market that don’t use petrochemicals (Suvana is one) however, my personal favourite (in the lip balm department) are the Hurraw Lip Balms. They are all Vegan, Organic and Raw. I’ve got about 6 flavours – one for my car, one for the bathroom, one in each handbag and a few spares. For those of you wondering, I’ve done an EWG Skin Deep Check on all of the ingredients and I’m pleased to report nothing scored higher than a “2” (green flag – low hazard). You can review the full report here.
Hurraw Lip Balms are available from all good health food stores (however they may not stock all flavours). Black Cherry, Vanilla and Coconut are my favourites.
Do you use Lucas Paw Paw? Would love to know your thoughts.
I use lucas paw paw ointment and have for over 10 years. Most of the people i know use it also. It works the best for chapprd sore lips and wind burn. I use it on bites and cuts, cracked heels, dry patches on my arms and legs, dry hands from constantly washing my hands at work and gravel rash after a bike accident. I cant say ive ever thought about changing to another product because it hasnt faulted. But in saying that if its not good for my health im open to finding a product that can work on more than just my lips.
I like your approach Jacqui. New York Dermatologist Dr Alan Dattner suggests that products containing beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter and cocoa butter seal in moisture and don’t come with some of the risks of petroleum jelly. I use olive oil on my skin all the time – it’s the best thing I’ve done 🙂