Lip balm makes lips dry: Myth or fact

Be it summer time or winter, lip balm can be utilized any time of the 12 months, particularly by individuals who complain about having dry lips. It’s a topical product that moisturises and protects you from dry and chappy lips. It typically incorporates waxes, and oils to lock in moisture and put off dryness. That’s why they’re very useful in locations with chilly or dry climates, the place pure oils from the lips get simply stripped. More often than not, this lip care product works nicely. However not everybody will agree, as there are individuals who really feel lip balms make lips dry. Is there some reality in that declare?

What are the advantages of lip balm?

This product is often a part of a day by day skincare routine, particularly for people who find themselves susceptible to dry and cracked lips. “In contrast to different components of the physique, lips are inclined to drying out, as they lack oil glands. Making use of a lip balm can assist create a protecting layer and retain moisture,” says aesthetic doctor and cosmetologist Dr Karuna Malhotra.

• Their important profit is hydration, which helps forestall uncomfortable chappy lips.
• Some lip balms comprise solar safety issue, providing solar safety that shields lips from dangerous ultraviolet rays and reduces the chance of sunburn.
• Medicated lip balms could comprise elements like menthol and camphor, which may present a soothing impact on software.
• Some formulations embrace antioxidants like vitamin E or botanical extracts, which may shield in opposition to free radical injury.

Does utilizing a lips balm make lips dry?

You might wish to get monetary savings and go for low-quality lip balms however it isn’t a sensible factor, as it will possibly dry them out as a substitute of moisturising them, as per analysis printed within the Worldwide Journal of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Evaluation in July 2024.

Additionally, some lip balms could make lips drier resulting from elements that irritate or dehydrate the pores and skin. In keeping with the American Academy Of Dermatology Affiliation, keep away from these elements when you’ve got chapped lips:

• Camphor
• Eucalyptus
• Flavouring like mint, cinnamon, and citrus flavours, as they are often extra irritating to chapped lips.
• Perfume
• Menthol
• Salicylic acid

“Elements like menthol, camphor, and phenol, typically added for a cooling sensation, can initially soothe however could strip away pure oils from the lips over time, resulting in extra dryness,” says Dr Malhotra. Alcohol-based elements, generally used for his or her quick-drying properties, can even dehydrate the lips. Salicylic acid, which is added to exfoliate lifeless pores and skin, may be too harsh, particularly for delicate lips, resulting in irritation and dryness. Additionally, artificial fragrances and flavours could irritate some individuals, inflicting lips to turn out to be infected or peel. Selecting balms with out these elements can assist forestall a drying impact on the lips.

Lips balm makes lips dry: Cease being depending on it

Other than elements of lip balms that make lips dry, be certain that to not be too depending on this lip care product. “Overusing it will possibly result in lip balm dependency, and make the lips really feel dry with out it. This could happen as a result of some lip balms create a protecting barrier that locks in moisture with out including new hydration, so frequent reapplication can result in a cycle the place lips by no means retain their pure moisture,” explains the professional.

Reapplying the product each couple of hours or when genuinely wanted is often sufficient to forestall dry lips. “For these in locations with very dry climates or with extraordinarily dry lips, making use of 3 to 4 instances a day ought to suffice. Making use of it earlier than mattress can even assist maintain lips hydrated in a single day,” says the professional.

Lips balm makes lips dry: Select the proper elements

Elements in lip balms that may assist heal chapped lips, as per the American Academy Of Dermatology Affiliation –

• Castor seed oil
• Hemp seed oil
• Mineral oil
• Shea butter

Lip balms made with pure, hydrating elements are much less more likely to dry out your lips. Search for elements like shea butter, cocoa butter, and pure oils akin to coconut oil, castor seed oil, hemp seed oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil, which deeply moisturise with out stripping the lips’ pure oils. “Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are glorious humectants that draw moisture into the lips, maintaining them hydrated,” says the professional. Beeswax and candelilla wax can create a barrier to lock in moisture with out irritating your pores and skin. Vitamin E and aloe vera are mild and soothing elements that assist heal and shield the lips.

Lips balm makes lips dry: Alternate options to maintain lips hydrated and smooth

“If not a lip balm, there are different issues to assist keep hydrated and smooth lips,” says the professional.

• Drink sufficient water all through the day to maintain your physique and pores and skin, together with lips, nicely hydrated.
• Exfoliate lips gently as soon as per week with a sugar scrub or a smooth toothbrush to take away lifeless pores and skin cells.
• Use a humidifier, particularly in dry indoor locations, to forestall lips from changing into parched.
• Keep away from licking your lips, as saliva evaporates shortly, and may depart lips drier than earlier than. Defend your lips with a shawl in chilly climate and use a lip product with SPF, particularly whereas stepping out within the solar to additional safeguard them.
• Incorporate a balanced weight-reduction plan wealthy in nutritional vitamins and minerals to help pores and skin and lip well being.

Frequently utilizing a lip balm can create a smoother texture on the lips, making them really feel softer. However be careful for sure elements like menthol and camphor, as lip balms make lips dry.