A Few Thoughts on Fillers (& Why I Don’t Believe in Them)

You know that feeling when you swipe on a balm and it’s shiny for two seconds… but then your lips are somehow drier than before? That’s a filler moment. At QUILT, we don't believe in fillers. 

WHAT ARE FILLERS?

Fillers are ingredients that give the illusion of hydration without offering long-term benefits. They're often used to bulk up formulas, create texture, or mimic a silky glide but don’t actually nourish your lips.

Some usual suspects you’ve probably swiped (and re-swiped) before include:

• Petroleum jelly: Occlusive, yes. Nourishing? Not really. It forms a barrier but doesn’t penetrate or repair. It would be similar to putting cling wrap on your lips and calling it skincare.
• Silicones (like dimethicone): They feel smooth, but they’re synthetic and can trap dead skin underneath. Soft now, flaky later.
• Fragrance + flavor oils: Smells fun but often irritates sensitive skin (and no one wants a side of redness with their cherry vanilla).
• Parabens, phthalates, synthetic waxes: All filler, zero function. These ingredients can prolong shelf life or enhance texture, but your lips wont be impressed.

WHAT WE DID INSTEAD:

We went filler-free on purpose. Your lips don’t need extra, they just need to be effective. Think 7 hardworking ingredients that deeply nourish, repair, and last.

• Lanolin: Our MVP. Moisture-locking, skin-mimicking, and naturally protective. Soaking in and doing the work. 
• Mango Butter & Coconut Oil: Rich, plush emollients that hydrate from the inside out.
• Beeswax: A natural sealant that protects without suffocating.
• Rosehip Oil & Castor Oil: For antioxidant support and that silky glide, without the silicone.
• Tribehenin: The quiet glue that holds it all together. A skin-conditioning agent that boosts softness and helps every other ingredient do its job better.

WHY WE SAID "NO, THANK YOU"

I’d never build a relationship on empty promises, so why would I do that with a balm? At my core, I believe softness should be intentional, lasting, and ingredient-led which is why I’m so proud that these effacacious ingredients are what I put on my lips every day. 

Stay soft (and of course selective),

Ginny