Organic lip balm - lip balm discontinued by Evolution of Smooth - review by ZZ

The Evolution of Smooth (eos) Smooth Spheres are moisture and nutrient rich lip balms that aim to keep lips super-smooth and completely hydrated. eos products are made with organic, natural and antioxidant-rich ingredients to provide long-lasting nourishment for supple lips. The balms themselves are smooth with a creamy texture that glides on easily and lasts for about an hour.

eos offers a variety of choices with their lip balms. There are currently nine unique flavors available among the eight Smooth Spheres and three Smooth Sticks. Two of the Smooth Sphere balms have been equipped with an extra purpose. The Lemon has SPF to act as a sunscreen and the Tangerine has Phenol to act as a painkiller and should be used sparingly.

I wanted to write this review in the standard template, but what I wrote was much too long. Therefore each flavor will be described in its own section which will be divided between Taste / Aroma and Performance.


These are the product details found on the eos packaging - exceptions below

eos lip balm is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free.
Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft, and sensationally smooth.

• Long-lasting moisture
• Shea butter & vitamin E
• Smoothes on clear
• Precisely glides on lips
• Twist-off top
• Gluten-free
• Paraben-free
• Petrolatum-free
• Phthalate-free
• 0.25 oz.

Exceptions
Lemon Drop does not claim long-lasting moisture or that it is organic, and claims natural flavor and not that it is natural:
eos lip balm in SPF 15 Lemon Drop is packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E and natural conditioning oils to keep your lips moist and soft while protecting them from the sun.
• Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection
• 80 minute water resistant
• PABA-free
• 100% natural flavor

Medicated Tangerine does not claim long lasting moisture, or vitamin E, or that it is organic:
eos lip balm in Medicated Tangerine is 95% natural and packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil to keep your lips moisturized and protected.
• Immediately soothes and restores moisture
• Anti-bacterial protection
• 95% natural
• Vitamins, zinc and shea butter

The Smell, Taste and Ingredients are categorized & broken down individually.

The majority of the eight Smooth Spheres share the following ingredients list, with their own extra ingredients for their unique flavors.

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor (Aroma) Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Linalool**

Exceptions:
Medicated Tangerine contains all of the above with the exception of Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil* and Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil.
Sweet Mint does not contain Natural Flavor (Aroma).


Summer Fruit



Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract*, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract*, Linalool**. *Organic. **Component of Natural Flavor. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

This Smooth Sphere has a sweet peach-berry scent and taste.
I have been using this balm for a long time and after trying all of these flavors, it is still my favorite. When I first started using this balm I considered it to be a berry flavor, but after a while I became aware of just how very peach this really is.

Fragrance determining ingredient(s): Blueberry fruit extract, Strawberry fruit extract, Peach Fruit extract


Sweet Mint



Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Limonene**, Linalool**. *Organic. **Component of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil*. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

This is a peppermint flavor. The smell reminds me of candy canes and it tastes like the little, pastel colored, after dinner pillow mints

The Peppermint plant is a hybrid mint that is a cross between watermint and spearmint. This balm derives its scent and flavor from peppermint oil which stimulates blood flow when included in a body product and applied to skin. This leads to tingling and cooling sensation that can also be soothing and refreshing.

Fragrance determining ingredient(s): Peppermint oil


Strawberry Sorbet



Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract*, Limonene**,
Linalool**. *Organic. **Component of Natural Flavor. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

This has a light scent and a subtle taste; it is more tart than sweet.
To me this one smells like the strawberry hard candies that are individually wrapped to look like strawberries. This flavor does taste like its namesake, and possibly even more like strawberry ice cream.

Fragrance determining ingredient(s): Strawberry fruit extract


Honeysuckle Honeydew



Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol, Cucumis Melo (Honeydew Melon) Seed Extract*, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract*, Limonene**, Linalool**. *Organic. **Component of Natural Flavor. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

This Sphere has a sweet melon scent with a hint of something floral. It tastes exactly like it smells.
I was not expecting to really like this one because I thought it would smell a little more like honeysuckle than it does. When these plant flower, they give off a strong fragrance that can be overpowering. This flavor however is subtle and I find that I rather like it. It almost tastes and smells like it should be a Starburst flavor.

Fragrance determining ingredient(s): Honeydew Melon seed extract, Honeysuckle Flower extract


Pomegranate Raspberry



Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract*, Linalool**. *Organic. **Component of Natural Flavor. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

This has a mild, pleasant scent and taste. It is a combination of sweet berry with a hint of something floral. For me, the pomegranate and raspberry scents are only discernible because I know they are supposed to be there. It’s a nice scent, but it is not what I would expect from this fruit combination.

Fragrance determining ingredient(s): Pomegranate seed oil and Raspberry leaf extract


Passion Fruit



Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Passiflora Incarnata (Passion) Flower Extract*, Limonene’, Linalool**. *Organic. **Component of Natural Flavor. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

To me, this is the mildest flavor of the eos lip balms; it has a very subtle floral taste and scent. I do not detect any fruit flavor or fragrance.

This is technically a limited edition flavor, but it has been in circulation close to two years and is only found in multi-packs. It is currently sold in the 2-pack for Spring, the Costco 5-pack; both of which can be purchased online.

Fragrance determining ingredient(s): Passion flower extract

Smell, Taste and Ingredients continued...

Lemon Drop w/ SPF 15



I have kept the packaging my Spheres came in, in order to cross-reference the ingredients with those posted on the eos website. The Lemon Drop is only one that does not match. I have had this one in my possession for a while now and am therefore assuming it is the old formula and will be referring to it as such. Here is a comparison of the ingredients, what they mean and how the formulas differ from one another.

eos website formula
Active ingredients: Homosalate 8.0%, Avobenzone 3.0%, Octocrylene 2.75%. Inactive ingredients: Beeswax/Cera Alba (Cire D’abeille), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Limonene*, Linalool*. *Component of Natural Flavor.

old formula from my packaging
Active ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Oxybenzone 3.0%. Inactive ingredients: Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba (Cire D’abeille), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Citral’, Geraniol’, Limonene*, Linalool*. *Component of Natural Flavor.

On the eos website, the Lemon Drop’s ingredients list is very similar to those of the other eos lip balms. The ingredients list on the packaging my sphere came in, is quite different.

Reviewing the ingredients on the eos website, the new formula leads me to think that the balm tastes and smells like sweet lemon, and that it has a very similar texture that is smooth like the other balms.

My Lemon Drop has a crisp, semi-sweet lemon taste and scent that is mixed with something heavier. The sunscreen sits under this flavor and is hardly noticeable. The texture was fairly gritty when I first started using it. This characteristic seemed to dissipate once the first few layers were used.

On my packaging’s list, the most concentrated inactive ingredient is Palm fruit oil, followed by Beeswax and then Olive oil. This order of ingredients is similar to that of the Smooth Sticks, except their first ingredient is Coconut oil instead of Palm fruit oil. Coconut oil is not present in my Lemon Drop but it did replace the Palm fruit oil in the new formula and has a concentration that places it third in the list, just like most of other Smooth Spheres.

The extra flavor in my Lemon Drop comes from Rosemary leaf extract and Hemp seed oil. Neither of these two ingredients is present in the new formula. While it might improve the lemon taste, leaving them out would make the balm less nutrient rich.

The Rosemary leaf oil would have been added to stimulate, purify, and invigorate.
Hemp seed oil contains omega fatty acids and linoleic acids which make up the outer layers of cells and are key to cellular health. This adds extra nourishment, nutrients, and sustains thorough hydration. Hemp seed oil is added to lip balms to protect against the chafing and splitting often caused by sun and wind exposure.

Both Citral and Geraniol were used in mine but are no longer in the new formula; Limonene got to stay.
Citral has a citrus aroma and is used in lemon oil to flavor and fortify,
Geraniol (an alcohol) has a strong lemon scent.
Limonene possesses a strong smell of oranges.

The new formula adds Coconut oil, Jojoba seed oil, and shea butter. The concentration of these ingredients is similar to the other Smooth Spheres, except shea butter falls further down the list in the Lemon Drop.

The old formula had two active ingredients for sunscreen:
Octinoxate 7.5% - UVB, & Oxybenzone 3% - UVB, UVA-2.

The new formula has three active ingredients for sunscreen:
Homosalate 8%- UVB, Avobenzone 3%-UVA (only chemical that absorbs the whole UVA spectrum), Octocrylene 2.7%- UVB, UVA-2


Medicated Tangerine



Active ingredients: Phenol 0.5%. Inactive ingredients:Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Beeswax/Cera Alba (Cire D'abeille), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Flavor (Aroma), Zinc Oxide, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Benzyl Benzoate*, Citral*, Geraniol*, Limonene*, Linalool*. *Component of Natural Flavor.

This scent is split in half between the Tangerine and the medication. The taste is similar but may lean a little towards the medication and the ingredients that were included to support it. For some people this will be overpowering, but it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting it to be. I would really like this one if a few of the ingredients hadn’t been included. If you’re going to use this, make sure to do so sparingly. Do not use this all the time and don’t reapply it throughout the day. The medication is Phenol and it will dry out your lips.

While this flavor is similar to a tangerine scent, the ingredients do not actually contain extracts or oils from anything to do with tangerines. They include Acai fruit extract, Ginger root extract, Pomegranate see oil, Green Tea leaf extract, Citral and Geraniol

Zinc Oxide is added to products because it is insoluble in water. In body products it can also act as a sunscreen agent, which might be the case here.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C with anti-oxidant properties.
Benzyl Benzoate is an alcohol and benzoic acid; often used as a fixative in fragrance to improve the stability of the characteristics of the other ingredients.

Citral has a citrus aroma and is used in lemon oil to flavor and fortify,
Geraniol (an alcohol) has a strong lemon scent.
Limonene possesses a strong smell of oranges.

The medication in Tangerine is Phenol 0.5%, and it is listed for external analgesic purposes.
This means relief from pain.

Repeated use of Phenol actually causes your lips to become drier, and with enough use will peel off the top layer of your skin. When you use a lip balm with this ingredient in it (Carmex people) you will get stuck in this cycle: 1) Temporary relief, 2) Painful drying out, 3) Peeling, and of course 4) Applying more.

If you find yourself using a product with Phenol, Menthol or Salicylic Acid and keep having issues – put it down and use something that is meant to hydrate and moisturize. Continued use will cause your lips more pain and problems.

When purchasing a Smooth Sphere individually, it will be packaged one of two ways. The simple packaging is a thin, clear plastic wrapper that acts as a tamper seal and has a perforation for easy removal. The plastic is printed with the ingredients, product information and the expiration date. The Spheres are also available in individual packages with a clear plastic dome and a cardboard backing that displays the same information. Another option is multi-packs, of which there are several, and on occasion eos will do a special release package with one or more limited edition flavors.





The Spheres themselves have an ergonomic design that is innovative for lip balm. The container is an egg-shaped oval with a flat bottom and a useful thumb grip on the side. The packaging is made of a thick, durable plastic; each flavor with its own identifying color. The tallest and widest portions of the container are both around 1.75 inches, yet it is not a perfect sphere. The oval twists apart into two pieces. The inside of the top is concave and the bottom houses the half oval of lip balm. When twisted back together, the two halves click lock back into place.

To indulge my own curiosity I decided to test the durability of the plastic and the seal. I threw an old, well-used, Summer Fruit Sphere across a fifteen foot room. It hit the wall, bounced once off the hardwood floor and then came rolling back to me. I tried this a few times, with mild force. The Sphere never came apart, cracked, or showed real signs of abuse. It would take extreme circumstances to find one of these Spheres open and causing gooey, smeared havoc inside your purse, briefcase or otherwise.

A few things to keep in mind

If you are wondering why an organic lip balm doesn't work for you, your lips might react negatively to one of the following ingredients or one of the others described within the individual flavors.

Vitamin E is included in lip care products for the purposes of antioxidants and anti-aging. It can be a lip irritant. eos uses Tocopherol.

Alcohols in lip balms are a drying ingredient and can also irritate lips. eos uses Linalool - a terpene alcohol, which is extracted from plants and adds somewhat of a floral scent.

Phenol, Menthol or Salicylic Acid can dry out and irritate your lips. Continuous use of lip balms with these ingredients will cause your lips to chap and peal.

It is also possibility that you may have a skin allergy for one of the oils or extracts.


I have included some of this information in my other eos comparison review for the Pomegranate Raspberry - Stick vs. Sphere.

Overall, I really like the eos lip balms. Most lip products have a tendency to dry out and chap my lips by the time they wear off. I often ended up wondering why I bothered. Thus far, eos has not caused my lips any problems. They seem to work for me.

In my opinion, the eos balms live up to the promise on their packaging. They hydrate, moisturize and leave my lips feeling soft and deliciously smooth. The Summer Fruit was the first Sphere I purchased, and the only one I used for quite a while. After accumulating and evaluating the other seven flavors, it is still my favorite.




To varying degrees, I am fond of all of the flavors. I regularly use the Summer Fruit, Lemon Drop, Pomegranate Raspberry and the Sweet Mint. I have loved the Summer Fruit since my friend unexpectedly shoved a little sphere of balm in my face, so that I too could enjoy the amazing new thing her hipster self had just found. I use the Lemon Drop when I spend time outside, the Pomegranate Raspberry when it suits me, and the Sweet Mint as a nice, tingly alternate.

The Honeysuckle Honeydew, Passion Fruit, and Strawberry Sorbet only get used once in a while. I really like the Honeysuckle’s flavor, but after a few uses it loses its charm for me. It took some time for me to track down the Passion Fruit, which I only did because I thought it would be similar to the Summer Fruit. I'm still a little disappointed with the fact that it turned out to be a strictly floral fragrance. I'm not a huge fan of strawberry-flavored things in general, but the Strawberry Sorbet is subtle enough for me to occasionally enjoy it.

If the Medicated Tangerine was made without the Phenol and certain supporting ingredients, I would really like this flavor. As it is, I am not all that interested in using it. If do decided to use this one, it will be very rarely.