Do Lip Balms Really Work? How to Choose the Right Lip Balm for You (Men & Women)
Are you addicted to your ChapStick? There are a few interesting facts you’d like to know about your lip balm and its uses.
Winter has its own share of problems, and the most annoying one is chapped lips. That’s when your lip balm comes to the rescue. Have you ever wondered if your lip balm is actually making any difference? Let’s find out.
Your lip balm doesn’t moisturise your lips!
Although most advertisements make lofty claims to keep your lips moisturised 24/7, lip balms or any other kind of lip wax doesn’t necessarily add any moisture to your lips. Instead, they just seal the skin to protect it from losing more moisture. The wax or petroleum content in your lip balm creates a watertight barrier that prevents the internal moisture of your skin from evaporating on dry and windy days.
There are also some brands of lip balms that worsen your chapping problem. The key to understanding why some lip balms make your skin drier lies in its ingredients. Certain ingredients in the lip balm pull out the moisture from your skin and make it dry.
What does your lip balm contain?
To understand how your lip balm works, you must first know what it contains. There are humectant and occlusive agents in your balm. Humectant agents hold on to the hydration of your skin, while occlusive agents keep it from evaporating. If your lip balm contains only humectant agents, the chances are that your lips will be drier with application. Without occlusive agents like shea butter, beeswax or essential oils, the moisture simply vanishes leaving your lips drier than ever. Therefore, your lip balm must have a good balance of both the agents.
How often should you use lip balms?
There’s a certain amount of addiction seen among women about applying lip balm constantly. But it has nothing to do with the ingredients. The constant urge to apply lip balm is purely psychological. When you keep using your lip balm consistently, you develop a certain irritation, and then you simultaneously end up using more lip balm to soothe it. That’s the reason some people tend to feel dependent on these products.
It is recommended that you use lip balm minimally. Apply it before going to bed so that the moisture is retained for a long time. Gradually, you’ll see that you don’t have the urge to apply it constantly throughout the day.
Need help in choosing the right lip balm? Here’s a quick guide.
To take good care of your lips, it’s important that you pick your lip balm carefully. We have identified a few points that will help you find your ideal lip balm. Check it out.
Choose lip balms with plant-based essences
Your lip balm must contain occlusive agents to keep the moisture intact. Lip balms based on natural essences like shea butter, cocoa butter, nut oils, etc. work wonders on your lips. If you have delicate skin, you should always opt for natural lip balms.
Avoid lip balms with petroleum jelly
If your all-natural lip balm contains petroleum jelly, you might want to avoid buying it. Petroleum jelly is a synthetic substance. It has a greasy texture, and you may think it will keep your lips moisturised. But it actually dries your lips instead. Try to get a lip balm that contains natural oils like coconut oil for better retention of moisture.
Do not purchase lip balms with camphor or menthol
Although they’re natural products, camphor and menthol are not ideal for your lips. These substances are popular additives for a ‘tasty’ lip balm and have a cooling effect on your lips.However, they dry out your lips. You can purchase lip balms that have peppermint oil if you like the cool sensation.
Check for allergic reactions
Sometimes, even if the ingredients in your lip balm are perfect, you might have skin irritation or allergic reactions. Always check if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in the lip balm before using it. Check it on some other part of your skin before applying it on your lips. Make an immediate switch to another natural brand of lip balm if you find it is not suitable for your skin.
Smell and flavour
Some people prefer fruity flavours or smells while others like a more sensational smell. Before you buy your lip balm, make up your mind about the kind of smell and flavour you prefer.
Medicated lip balms
If you have extremely dry and chapped lips, don’t hesitate to opt for a medicated lip balm. It will soothe your problem and prevent it from re-occurring. Consult your doctor before buying a medicated lip balm.
Look for lip balms with other benefits
While the ingredients in your lip balm are of utmost importance, you must also consider other factors like SPF, colour, flavour, etc. before choosing your balm. A lip balm with high SPF helps to keep your lips protected from the sun, especially if you work outdoors.
Consider the type of packaging
One of the important things you need to consider before buying a lip balm is the kind of packaging you want. If you’re looking to dab your fingers in the balm, a pot or jar is a good way to go. You can also opt for a tube if you like applying the balm with your fingers. If you prefer swiping the balm across your lips for a solid finish, you might want to buy a stick.
You’re all set to purchase the right lip balm now. Check out your options here.
