Why Your Lip Balm Feels Grainy: Understanding Crystallization in 100% Oil-Based Products

At NEW SEASON CAREMADE, we believe in crafting lip care with pure, natural ingredients with no preservatives, or synthetics. Just a powerful blend of botanical oils and butters like cocoa butter, shea butter, and avocado oil to nourish your lips.

But if you’ve ever opened your balm and noticed a slightly grainy or gritty texture, you’re not alone, and it’s not a defect. It’s a natural phenomenon called crystallization, and we’re here to explain what’s happening and why it’s totally okay.

What Is Crystallization?

Crystallization is a HARMLESS change in texture, not quality. It happens when plant butters especially shea and cocoa butter melt and then cool slowly or unevenly. The result? Tiny crystals form as the fatty acids solidify at different speeds.

This shows up as:

• A bumpy or grainy surface
• A balm that feels slightly rough at first swipe
• A natural variation, not spoilage
  

It’s the same reason you might see chocolate bloom, nature doing its thing!

Why Does It Happen?

Crystallization is triggered by temperature fluctuations. For example:

• Temperature shifts during the shipping process
• The result? Butters begin to separate slightly and form crystals
  

Because our lip balms are 100% natural and free from stabilizers, they’re more sensitive to temperature shifts, but they remain just as safe, nourishing, and effective.

Is It Still Safe to Use?

Absolutely. Crystallized balm is:

• 100% safe
• Fully effective
• Still packed with vitamins and antioxidants
• Completely meltable by your own body heat
  

This is not spoilage, and it doesn’t mean your product has gone bad.

Tips for a Smooth Lip Balm Experience

If you’d prefer a smoother texture, here’s what you can do:

1. Warm it up: Use clean fingers to gently rub the balm before application. The crystals will melt into a silky glide.
2. Store smart: Keep your balm in a cool, stable place — avoid cars, windows, and handbags on hot days.
   

Travel tip: If your balm melts, let it cool slowly at room temperature, not in the fridge, this helps prevent crystal formation.

Why We Let It Happen

Crystallization is a sign of purity. It tells you we’re using raw, minimally processed butters and oils just as nature intended. We don't add fillers, or chemical emulsifiers to "fix" texture because we care more about what’s good for your lips than what's perfect in a jar.

Final Thoughts

If your balm ever looks a little grainy, don’t worry, it’s still doing its job beautifully. In fact, it’s a sign that it’s full of real, skin-loving ingredients. So swipe, melt, and enjoy the goodness.

Because your skin deserves nothing less than care, handmade.