Sugar and Starch Free, No Problem

I’ve been meaning to start writing more about some of my favorite beauty products (if I choose to wear any at all). I didn’t start wearing makeup until my early 30s, and my girlfriends would often ask because they didn’t understand how I could leave my house without any on (especially since many of them have been wearing makeup since their early teens). However, whenever I tried to wear something, my face would instantly break out, making it easier for me to steer clear of products.

It wasn’t until I was much older and discovered through allergy testing that I was allergic to a great deal of things. My CSID diagnosis helped me pay more attention to what I was consuming in not only my diet, but also what I put on my skin in my daily beauty routine. I became way more aware of everything from the hairspray I used to my daily lip balm routine.

My friends, who were into makeup, helped me navigate the beauty world and introduced me to more natural beauty products. When they introduced me to Poppy & Pout lip balms, I knew it was a product made for me. One of my best girlfriends bought me this gift set for my birthday recently, the Coquette Lip Balm Trio, and now I’m completely obsessed.

What’s Inside?

The ingredients for their balms are really simple: natural beeswax, sunflower oil, coconut oil, and essential oils, which means no added sugars, artificial flavors, or chemical preservatives—a must for people with digestive sensitivities like CSID.

Some of the other perks of their balms are that they’re cruelty-free, packaged in biodegradable cardboard tubes, and have a nice light tint with a natural flavor using plant-based ingredients.

My Favorite Trio: Coquette (so far)

I’ll probably buy another one when I run out, but the nice thing about these balms is that even with the higher price point (~$9), a little goes a long way. The Coquette Trio comes with three scents that are subtle and sweet, never overpowering or artificial-smelling:

French Macaron – subtly sweet and almond-y, like walking into a cozy bakery in Paris

Crème Brûlée – warm vanilla and light caramel vibes (without any sugar!)

Strawberry BonBon – soft and fruity with a hint of creamy nostalgia, it’s a little bit like a strawberry milkshake in a lip balm

They feel smooth without being overly sticky, and they stay on my lips for a surprisingly long amount of time before I need to reapply.

The Nitty-Gritty

Nothing in the world is perfect, as many of us know, which is why I also wanted to highlight some things I didn’t love about the product. Their eco-friendly cardboard packaging is a great environmentally friendly alternative, but I noticed a few quirks about them: they seem to wear down quickly if you store them in your purse or backpack, and they can be hard to push the balm back down. If you’re looking for a bold scent or something unscented, this product might not be for you. It offers a more middle-of-the-road, naturally light aroma that’s perfect for sensitive users, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. And extremely sensitive users might have issues with the natural ingredients and essential oils used.

Why It Matters

Avoiding sugar and managing your diet on CSID can be difficult at times, but you are also creating a better lifestyle and wellness routine for yourself, which is incredible. Even if you’re not eating lip balm, hopefully you’re not, lip balm does end up in your mouth from time to time, so it makes sense to stick with a safer and more natural product.

If you’re looking to clean up your beauty routine, I highly recommend trying Poppy & Pout’s lip balm collection. Have you tried any clean or organic beauty products that work well with your CSID lifestyle? I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments.