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How Do I Choose the Best Moisturizing Lip Balm?

T. Alaine
T. Alaine

The best moisturizing lip balm will generally not contain artificial flavors or additives that dry out skin and leave them more susceptible to chapping. Since chapped lips are the result of delicate skin cells drying out due to lack of natural oils, adding moisture to the lips in the form of nutrient-rich natural oils and butters is a good approach. When choosing a moisturizing lip balm, beware of damaging or drying ingredients, and note that common ingredients such as waxes and petroleum jelly do not actually penetrate and hydrate skin.

A moisturizing lip balm soothes and prevents chapped lips by deeply hydrating the very delicate outer skin cells on the lips. If the outer layers of skin are allowed to dry out and crack or peel, they expose raw, sensitive inner layers of skin which can cause annoyance or discomfort. There is a subtle distinction between lip balms that moisturize dry lips and lip balms that are intended to protect dry lips that are already moisturized. Common and often extolled ingredients such as petroleum jelly and various waxes sit atop the lips, but do not actually penetrate the skin; this forms a protective barrier against damaging weather conditions such as wind and sun, but will not help hydrate skin that is already chapped.

Look for damaging or drying ingredients when choosing a lip balm.
Look for damaging or drying ingredients when choosing a lip balm.

The best moisturizing lip balm, therefore, will contain hydrating ingredients that are actually able to penetrate your skin. Natural butters such as cocoa, kokum, pumpkin, avocado, and hemp butters are rich in vitamins that help moisturize the skin. Since the skin on your lips can not naturally produce its own oils, it is usually beneficial to choose a moisturizing lip balm made with natural oils. Ingredients such as olive, jojoba, kukui, almond, grapeseed, coconut, and many others contain essential vitamins and often omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids that are very hydrating.

A quality lip balm should help keep lips moist and also protect them from the sun and wind.
A quality lip balm should help keep lips moist and also protect them from the sun and wind.

When you are selecting a moisturizing lip balm, there are some ingredients you must avoid. Lip balms that are labeled as “medicated” often contain additives such as menthol or salicyclic acid; these ingredients may cause a temporary soothing or tingling sensation, but they can actually worsen the condition of chapped, dry lips and delay healing. Similarly, be wary of artificial flavors or scents. Some scents such as peppermint or lavender, among others, can be created using natural oils and are less likely to be drying. Unnatural scents such as bubblegum or soda pop will almost certainly be made from unnatural ingredients that might irritate or continue to dry out your lips.

Discussion Comments

fify

The best moisturizing lip gloss I ever used was one made from beeswax, vitamin E and shea butter. It was just amazing. It made my lips so soft.

stoneMason

@SarahGen-- All that petroleum jelly can do is create a film on top of skin and prevent moisture from leaving. But this doesn't help at all unless the skin is already moisturized and hydrated. Petroleum jelly does nothing for dry lips.

You can get lip balms with natural ingredients at the pharmacy. You can also get them at organic and health food stores and online stores which sell homemade skin care and lip balm. Some natural lip balms are at the higher end in terms of price, but there are also affordable ones, so keep lookig.

My favorite moisturizing lip balm brands are L'Occitane, S.W., Alba, Badger and Burt's Bees. The last three are affordable. Sometimes organic markets also have homemade natural but cheap lip balms available in the skin care section.

SarahGen

No wonder my lips have been in such terrible shape despite applying my chap-stick regularly. The chap-stick is made of petroleum jelly. I always though that petroleum jelly is good for the skin but I guess not.

Where can I get affordable lip balms with natural, moisturizing ingredients? I think I saw one at the pharmacy, but it was too expensive for a lip balm.

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    • Look for damaging or drying ingredients when choosing a lip balm.
      By: Nazzu
      Look for damaging or drying ingredients when choosing a lip balm.
    • A quality lip balm should help keep lips moist and also protect them from the sun and wind.
      By: Artem Furman
      A quality lip balm should help keep lips moist and also protect them from the sun and wind.
    • Salve, which typically comes in a tin container and contains waxes and oils, can be used to treat dry and chap lips and skin.
      By: dimakp
      Salve, which typically comes in a tin container and contains waxes and oils, can be used to treat dry and chap lips and skin.
    • In general, it's best to avoid lip balms that contain menthol or phenol.
      By: alex83ch
      In general, it's best to avoid lip balms that contain menthol or phenol.