Here's every ingredient in our Bush Balm and Bite Balm, in plain words, with what each one brings to the feel and the smell.
No "botanical blend". No "proprietary complex". If it's in the tube, it's on this page.
Bush Balm vs Bite Balm ingredients at a glance
| Ingredient | Plain English | Bush Balm | Bite Balm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theobroma cacao | Cocoa butter | Yes | Yes |
| Oryza sativa bran wax | Rice bran wax | Yes | Yes |
| Butyrospermum parkii butter | Shea butter | Yes | Yes |
| Olea europaea | Olive oil | Yes | No |
| Cocos nucifera | Coconut oil | Yes | No |
| Cymbopogon nardus | Citronella oil | Yes | No |
| Azadirachta indica | Neem oil | Yes | No |
| Lavandula angustifolia | Lavender oil | Yes | Yes |
| Mentha piperita | Peppermint oil | Yes | No |
| Eucalyptus citriodora | Lemon eucalyptus | Yes | Yes |
| Cymbopogon flexuosus | Lemongrass oil | No | Yes |
| Tocopherol | Vitamin E | Yes | Yes |
| Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary leaf extract | Yes | Yes |
| Helianthus annuus seed oil | Sunflower oil | Yes | Yes |
Bush Balm has 13 ingredients. Bite Balm has 9. That's it. Nothing else to look at here.
The base: what makes it a balm
Both balms start with cocoa butter and shea butter. They're the nourishing bit, and they're why the balm feels soft and smooth rather than waxy. Sunflower oil is in both too.
Bush Balm adds olive oil and coconut oil, plant oils that help it glide across exposed skin. Bush Balm also carries neem oil, which works alongside the cocoa butter and shea butter to nourish skin, lock in moisture and support its natural barrier.
Rice bran wax is what makes the whole thing solid. It's what gives both balms their solid, push-up tube form.
The scent oils: what you're actually smelling
This is where the two balms part ways.
Bush Balm is citrus, mint and a little lavender:
- Citronella oil gives it the fresh, uplifting citrus aroma.
- Lemon eucalyptus adds a lemony, eucalypt note.
- Peppermint oil brings the cool.
- Lavender oil sits underneath and softens the edges.
Bite Balm is lavender, lemon and a little more lemon:
- Lavender oil leads. It's traditionally loved for its calming aroma.
- Lemon eucalyptus and lemongrass oil bring the lemon.
There's no synthetic fragrance in either balm.
The keepers: vitamin E and rosemary leaf extract
Vitamin E (listed as tocopherol) and rosemary leaf extract are in both balms. They help keep the oils in the formula fresh, which matters when a balm spends its life in a hot pocket or a daypack.
The full ingredient lists
Bush Balm: Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Butter), Oryza Sativa Bran Wax (Rice Bran Wax), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea Butter), Olea Europaea (Olive Oil), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Cymbopogon Nardus (Citronella Oil), Azadirachta Indica (Neem Oil), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender Oil), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint Oil), Eucalyptus Citriodora (Lemon Eucalyptus), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Leaf Extract), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower Oil).
Bite Balm: Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Butter), Oryza Sativa Bran Wax (Rice Bran Wax), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea Butter), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender Oil), Eucalyptus Citriodora (Lemon Eucalyptus), Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Lemongrass Oil), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Leaf Extract), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower Oil).
Not sure how to read a label like this? How to Read a Shampoo Bar Ingredient List works on any ingredient list, not just shampoo bars.
What's not in them
Neither balm contains synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulphates, silicones or palm oil. Both are vegan and cruelty-free.
Both are packed in a plastic-free, home-compostable push-up tube. We explain why we went compostable instead of recyclable in Why We Chose Home-Compostable Over Recyclable Packaging.
Essential oils and your skin: the honest bit
Plant-derived doesn't mean it can't bother anyone. Essential oils are concentrated, and some skin doesn't get along with some of them. That's true of every brand that uses them, including us.
So: patch test before first use if your skin is sensitive. Avoid broken skin and the eye area. If you're pregnant, run the ingredients past your medical practitioner first. Both balms are for external use only and suitable for ages two years and over. If irritation occurs, stop using it.
If you already know you react to something on the list above, skip the balm. That's the whole point of listing everything. We go deeper on essential oils and sensitivity in Do Essential Oils Irritate the Scalp? (The Honest Answer).
Why list everything?
Because "natural" on a label doesn't tell you much. We poked at that in Is 'Natural' Just Greenwashing? How to Actually Check. A full ingredient list does the talking, and it lets you decide with all the information rather than a nice photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are in Bush Balm?
Bush Balm contains cocoa butter, rice bran wax, shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, citronella oil, neem oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, lemon eucalyptus, vitamin E, rosemary leaf extract and sunflower oil.
What ingredients are in Bite Balm?
Bite Balm contains cocoa butter, rice bran wax, shea butter, lavender oil, lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass oil, vitamin E, rosemary leaf extract and sunflower oil.
Do Bush Balm and Bite Balm contain synthetic fragrance?
No. Neither contains synthetic fragrances. Every ingredient is on the list above. Both are also paraben-free, sulphate-free, silicone-free and palm oil-free.
Are Bush Balm and Bite Balm vegan?
Yes. Both are vegan and cruelty-free, and both are made by hand in Australia.
What's the difference between the two ingredient lists?
Bush Balm has five ingredients Bite Balm doesn't: olive oil, coconut oil, citronella oil, neem oil and peppermint oil. Bite Balm has one Bush Balm doesn't: lemongrass oil. Everything else is shared.
Why are the ingredients listed in Latin?
Latin botanical names (INCI) are the international standard for labelling cosmetic ingredients, so you can check any ingredient anywhere. We list the plain-English name next to each one so you don't need a dictionary.
Are they suitable for kids?
Both are suitable for ages two years and over, for external use only. Patch test on sensitive skin first, avoid broken skin and the eye area, and stop using if irritation occurs.
Real talk.
Fourteen ingredients across two balms. Cocoa butter and shea for the base, plant oils for the glide, rice bran wax to hold it together, and a handful of scent oils that decide whether you end up smelling of citrus and mint or lavender and lemon.
No mystery blends. No Latin without a translation.
Ready to pick? Bush Balm or Bite Balm. Or read how they came about in Meet Bush Balm and Bite Balm.