Let’s be real for a second. The world does not need another lip balm. We are currently drowning in a sea of "clean girl" aesthetics, petroleum-based sticks that do nothing but sit on top of your skin, and overpriced tubes that look better on an Instagram grid than they actually feel on your face. But then there’s the Topicals Slick Salve Mint Lip Balm, which basically everyone just calls the Topicals acai lip balm because of that deep, moody purple tint.
It’s weird. It’s thick. It smells like a peppermint patty and looks like a dark berry stain, but it somehow works for people who have chronic lip-peeling issues.
Topicals—a brand founded by Olamide Olowe—has built its entire reputation on "medicated" skincare that doesn't look like it came from a sterile doctor's office. They tackled chronic eczema with Like Butter and hyperpigmentation with Faded. When they dropped a lip product, people expected a treatment, not just a glossy finish. What we got was Slick Salve. It isn't just a basic emollient; it’s a barrier-repair hybrid that uses acai and vegan waxes to mimic the way your skin actually functions.
If you’ve ever used a balm only to find your lips feeling drier ten minutes later, you’ve experienced the "occlusive trap." Most cheap balms just seal in whatever moisture (or lack thereof) is already there. The Topicals acai lip balm tries to do the opposite by pulling moisture in first.
What is actually in the Topicals acai lip balm?
The ingredient list isn't just marketing fluff. It’s a specific recipe designed for people who have damaged skin barriers.
First off, you have the Acai Berry Sterols. This is the heavy hitter. Sterols are basically plant-based fats that behave a lot like the cholesterol already present in your skin's lipid barrier. When your lips are chapped, that barrier is literally cracked. The acai sterols fill those gaps. It’s like using a high-quality spackle on a cracked wall instead of just painting over it.
Then there’s the Glycerin. Honestly, glycerin is the unsung hero of skincare. It’s a humectant. It’s cheap, it’s effective, and it’s a magnet for water. While everyone else is obsessed with Hyaluronic Acid—which can actually dry your skin out if the air is too dry—glycerin just works.
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- Ceramides: These are the "glue" that holds your skin cells together.
- Vegan Lanolin Alternative: Traditional lanolin comes from sheep’s wool and is a gold-standard moisturizer, but it’s a common allergen and definitely not vegan. Topicals uses a plant-based mimicry that gives that same "sticky" (in a good way) protective feel.
- Menthol and Peppermint: This gives it that zing.
But here is the catch: some people hate mint. If your lips are actively bleeding or "raw," menthol can be a bit of a jerk. It’s a vasodilator, meaning it increases blood flow to the area, which creates that plumped look, but on truly sensitive skin, it might feel like a sting rather than a tingle. You’ve been warned.
The Acai Tint: A Lesson in "Your Lips But Better"
One of the biggest reasons this specific balm went viral on TikTok and Reels isn't just the formula—it's the color. The "Acai" name comes from the deep purple hue of the product in the tube.
Don't be scared by the dark color. When you squeeze it out, it looks like a concentrated berry jam. Once it hits your lips, it shears out into a "black honey" style tint. It’s that perfect, moody mauve that looks like you just finished a bowl of blackberries.
It’s a specific vibe. It’s not a lipstick. It’s not even a lip stain. It’s a "salve" that happens to make your natural lip color look about 20% more vibrant. Because the formula is so thick, the pigment doesn't migrate or settle into those annoying fine lines.
Does it actually heal chronic chapping?
Most dermatologists will tell you that the best thing for your lips is plain white petrolatum (Vaseline). It’s boring, but it’s a 100% occlusive. However, petrolatum doesn't heal; it just prevents further water loss.
The Topicals acai lip balm is more of a "treatment balm." Because it contains ceramides and fatty acids, it’s actually contributing to the health of the skin tissue.
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I’ve seen people compare this to the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask or the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment. Here’s the nuance: Laneige is much thinner and more "silicon-heavy." It feels slippery. Rhode is very glossy and high-shine. Topicals Slick Salve is... well, it's slick. It has a grippy texture that stays on for hours. You can drink a coffee and still feel a layer of it on your lips. That’s the "salve" part. It’s built for longevity, not just for a quick photo op.
The Sustainability and Scent Factor
Topicals gets a lot of credit for their packaging, which is usually a metal or high-grade plastic tube that looks like something you’d find in a cool European pharmacy.
The scent is polarizing. It’s a very strong, clinical mint. It doesn't smell like a candy cane; it smells like medicine mint. Some users have noted that the scent can be a bit overwhelming if you’re sensitive to smells. But for others, that "zing" is exactly what makes their lips feel refreshed in the morning.
Also, can we talk about the applicator? It’s a standard slanted plastic tip. Simple. No metal rollerball to get stuck, no fuzzy wand to get gross and harbor bacteria. You just wipe it off and you're good.
Why it might NOT be for you
I’m not here to tell you every product is perfect. This balm has its quirks.
- The Thickness: If you hate the feeling of anything "heavy" on your lips, you will probably hate this. It’s dense. It’s meant to be a barrier.
- The Tingle: If you have a compromised barrier—like, if you’ve been picking at your lips—the peppermint oil is going to bite.
- The Price: At roughly $16, it’s significantly more expensive than a tube of Chapstick or Burt's Bees. You’re paying for the ceramide complex and the brand's specific formulation.
Is it worth sixteen bucks? If you are someone who buys three different lip glosses a month looking for the "perfect" one, then yes. If you just want something to keep in your car so your lips don't dry out in the sun, you can probably stick to the cheap stuff.
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Addressing the "Topicals" Controversy: Formulation Shifts
In the skincare community, there’s always talk about reformulations. Topicals is a young brand. They listen to feedback. Some early users felt the original Slick Salve was too thick, almost like glue. The newer batches of the Topicals acai lip balm seem to have a slightly better "glide."
It still maintains that iconic high-shine finish, but it’s a bit more user-friendly. It’s important to remember that because this product contains natural sterols and waxes, the consistency can change depending on the temperature. If you leave it in a hot car, it’s going to come out like a liquid. If it’s freezing outside, you might have to squeeze the tube a bit harder. That’s just the physics of oil-and-wax-based skincare.
How to use it for maximum results
Don't just slap it on once and expect a miracle.
To really get the most out of the Slick Salve, try this:
After you wash your face, while your lips are still slightly damp from the water, apply a thin layer. This traps that actual water against your skin. Then, right before you go to bed, glob it on. Use it as a lip mask. You’ll wake up with the product still there, and your lips will feel significantly softer.
If you’re wearing it during the day, it plays surprisingly well over lip liners. Since it’s so thick, it doesn't dissolve the wax in your lip pencil, allowing you to create a "contained" glossy look without the color bleeding into your skin.
The Final Verdict on the Acai Tinge
Honestly, the Topicals acai lip balm is a solid A-tier product for anyone dealing with dryness who also wants to look put together. It bridges the gap between a boring medical ointment and a high-end beauty product.
It’s not just hype. The inclusion of plant sterols and ceramides makes it a legitimate skincare product, not just a cosmetic one. While the mint might be a bit much for some, the sheer berry tint is universally flattering and the staying power is better than 90% of the balms currently sitting on the shelves at Sephora.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check for Sensitivities: If you have a history of reacting to peppermint or menthol, patch-test a tiny bit on the corner of your lip before coating the whole thing.
- Layering: Use it over a matte lipstick to transform the finish without ruining the pigment underneath.
- Temperature Control: Keep the tube in a cool, dry place to prevent the natural oils from separating over time.
- Night Treatment: Apply a heavy layer before sleep to allow the ceramides to repair your skin barrier during the body's natural nighttime renewal cycle.