Advertisement
Pay attention to the ingredients in your favorite products — and how often you’re using them
We put our lips through a lot. We dehydrate them, crack them, lick them, bite them, peel them and scrub them. It’s little wonder that that delicate skin can get a bit temperamental from time to time.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Most of us were taught to undo the damage with lip balms and chapsticks. But is that the right call? Could the products we’re slathering on our lips actually exacerbate the problem? But even if they’re healthy, how often should we be using them? And is it true that you can get addicted to lip care products?
We turned to dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, for answers. She busts a few chapstick myths and helps us understand the role that lip balms should play in our skincare routine.
Lip balm comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and consistencies. Some take the form of waxy sticks, while others present more like salves or ointments. They can be glossy, medicated, tinted, flavored, scented, etc. And their prices are just as variable.
Before we dive into a discussion about lip balms, it’s worth noting that while there’s a brand called ChapStick®, the word “chapstick” is commonly used to describe a wide range of lip care products — sort of like how the brand name Band-Aid® is often used as a synonym for the word “bandage.” This article is about lip care products writ large, not a specific product or brand.
Some people say that applying lip balm causes your body to stop generating natural moisture around your lips. That’s just a myth, Dr. Piliang states. In reality, it’s all about the ingredients in the products you’re using.
Advertisement
“Lip balms containing ingredients like phenol, menthol and salicylic acid actually make your lips drier. So, you apply more and it becomes a vicious cycle,” she explains.
Some of these products also cause a tingling feeling when you apply them. This either causes irritation or removes outer layers of your skin, like an exfoliant. Then, you have less protection, are more susceptible to environmental factors and have to apply more product.
“Just avoid balms containing those ingredients,” Dr. Piliang advises.
But it’s not just phenol, menthol and salicylic acid you need to watch out for. The chemicals in some scents and added flavorings can also irritate your skin or cause allergies. Ditto for artificial color.
“These ingredients dry out the skin and can leave it feeling more chapped, so less is better,” Dr. Piliang adds.
There’s an awful lot of choices out there when it comes to lip care products. So, how can you be sure you’re using a lip balm that will actually keep your lips hydrated and healthy? Dr. Piliang offers two suggestions:
Lip balm may feel soothing on chapped lips. But it can also turn into a bad habit that’s hard to break.
But is it really possible to get addicted to the stuff?
Not in the physiological sense, Dr. Piliang reassures. But — like anything else — chapstick can become a psychological crutch.
“It can definitely be habit-forming,” she says. “Applying lip balm soothes your lips, feels good and can be very comforting. That can lead to an unconscious habit that helps with stress or anxiety — kind of like twirling your hair or biting your nails.”
Dr. Piliang recommends paying attention to how often you use lip balms to see whether you’re doing it out of a real need to protect and moisturize, or for other reasons.
Still not sure? Dr. Piliang offers several common-sense questions you can ask yourself to determine whether you have a psychological dependence on lip balm:
Advertisement
The more questions you answer ‘yes’ to in the list, the more likely it is that you have a dependency on lip balm. But there’s good news: You can cut down your usage without placing your pucker in peril!
Trying to be less reliant on your trusty chapstick, but bothered by dryness? Here are some alternatives to lip balm that can help keep your lips hydrated and happy:
Advertisement
Humans have been preoccupied by their lip shape, size, color and texture for a long time. While standards of beauty have changed over the years, healthy smackers are always in style.
They’re also big business. Which means there are plenty of cosmetic companies, social media influencers and self-appointed experts out there who are eager to tell you how to achieve a perfect pout. Misinformation abounds. And some of it can be scary.
Dr. Piliang offers an example. “There’s a myth that the shine in a lip gloss allows the sun’s rays to penetrate more and increases skin cancer risk. While we do see skin cancer on the lips, nothing in lip balms causes cancer.”
She advises skipping the information overload and going straight to your dermatologist with any questions you have about your kisser. They can help you separate fact from fiction and give you the guidance you need to keep your lips looking luscious for a good long time!
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Exercise, weather, anxiety, hormone changes and spicy foods can cause you to perspire more than usual
Your hair removal routine will depend on your pain tolerance, budget and skin sensitivities
Seeing double (chins) when taking selfies? From exercises to surgery, you can reduce or eliminate chin fat, but there’s no overnight solution
Stay cool by wearing breathable clothes, eating certain foods and using an antiperspirant
One reduces the amount of sweat, while the other masks body odor
Lifestyle adjustments like stress reduction, wearing softer clothing and staying out of the sun can help manage flares
Your provider can develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include prescription medications, antihistamines and corticosteroids
Infections, autoimmune conditions, major life changes, extreme temps and even sunlight can cause this itchy condition
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims