Summer Fridays has become one of the most talked-about modern beauty brands, blending skincare and makeup with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Co-founded by influencers Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland, the line is marketed as vegan, cruelty-free, and “clean” in the sense that it avoids parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. They’re best known for their masks, skin tints, and especially their lip care! Two of their most viral best sellers are their Lip Butter Balm and their Lip Oils, both beloved for their textures, packaging, and influencer-fueled hype. But, when you take a closer look at the ingredient lists through a stricter, more clean beauty lens, are these products truly clean and, more importantly, are they Organic Bunny approved? Let’s explore!
Lip Butter Balm
First of all, the Lip Butter Balm is marketed as a rich, hydrating balm-meets-mask that smooths lips with butters like shea and murumuru. While it does contain some nourishing ingredients, what really stood out to me was that it also includes BHT, a synthetic antioxidant preservative that has been flagged for potential endocrine-disrupting effects and links to cancer in some studies! BHT is an ingredient I always avoid.
Next, we find Fragrance or parfum is also listed, which is a red flag in clean beauty because it can contain hidden hormone-disrupting chemicals and allergens. The formula also uses synthetic dyes such as Red 6 and Red 28, FD&C colors that are petroleum-derived and may contain trace heavy metals, some of which are linked to carcinogenic effects. The balm also relies heavily on petroleum-based waxes and synthetic emollients, which provide texture but don’t nourish the skin at all, all while also contributing to microplastic exposure over time! Plastic lipgloss on your lips that you lick off and consume? No thank you!
Dream Lip Oil
The Summer Friday lip oils are positioned as a lighter, glossier alternative that feels silky and hydrating, but the ingredient list tells a similar story as their lip balms, sadly. They’re loaded with petroleum-derived emollients like Hydrogenated Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), as well as Octyldodecanol and synthetic film-forming polymers such as Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer and Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer. These ingredients are considered microplastics in clean standards as they don’t biodegrade and can accumulate in the environment and body!
The lip oils also contain Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, another synthetic antioxidant with potential links to cancer and environmental persistence. Like the balm, they use FD&C synthetic dyes, including Red 7 Lake and Blue 1 Lake, which are petroleum-derived and may contain heavy metal contaminants. While there are a few nice plant oils like jojoba and avocado mixed in, they’re overshadowed by the heavy reliance on synthetic, plastic-like ingredients that don’t align with a truly clean formulation making neither of these items Organic Bunny approved.
Why To Avoid Them?
From a health and environmental perspective, the concerns around these ingredients are well documented for the girlies who want to get into the science behind it all! Synthetic polymers and microplastics can act as carriers for endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which interfere with hormonal systems and may contribute to issues like reproductive harm, metabolic disorders, and cancer over time.
BHT has been evaluated by regulatory bodies for its endocrine-disrupting potential and has been linked to organ toxicity and tumor development at high exposures in animal studies. Synthetic dyes, particularly Red 6, Red 7, and Blue 1, are petroleum-based and may be contaminated with heavy metals that accumulate in the body with repeated exposure. Fragrance compounds are known to contain phthalates and other endocrine disruptors, often undisclosed under the catch-all term “parfum.”
When these ingredients are applied to the lips, products we inevitably ingest a little of daily, they bypass some of the body’s usual detoxification mechanisms and increase the potential for cumulative exposure so, what is best is to use a cleaner option, as often as possible! So, what can we use instead?
Cleaner Options
Thankfully, one of my favorite beauty brands just launched two almost exact dupes making this swap a no brainer! The Inika Certified Organic Tinted Lip Balm uses nourishing botanical oils like castor, jojoba, and sunflower, combined with shea butter and candelilla wax, to moisturize and protect without relying on petroleum derivatives or synthetic waxes. It’s free from BHT, synthetic dyes, and fragrance, meaning you’re not exposing yourself to endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, or irritants every time you apply. The plant-based formula supports actual lip health rather than just coating the surface, making it a safer and more nourishing daily choice!
Similarly, the Inika Tinted Lip Oil is made with squalane, acacia collagen, and nutrient-rich plant seed oils, providing hydration and glossy shine while completely avoiding BHT, synthetic fragrances, and artificial dyes. Instead of microplastics or petroleum polymers, it relies on bioactive ingredients that soften, smooth, and support the lips over time. Together, these Inika products make excellent clean dupes, offering the same sensory experience without the health and environmental trade-offs, plus, they are gorgeous on!
Be sure to share this with anyone into clean beauty that may be in need of a cleaner swap to their favorite Summer Friday’s lip products!
