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gw_oakley

It's that time of the year...I need a good lip balm

4 years ago

I'm low on lip balms and chap sticks. Every "expert" on lips contradicts the other experts. For example, one expert said do not use lanolin or hyaluronic acid on your lips because they cause dryness. Makes a lot of sense to me.


What also made sense is to use a balm with humectants, which absorbs moisture from the air to the lips. Aquaphor, Burt's bees, vaseline & all the other lip balms just make your lips feel moistened until they wear off, and then your lips are dry again.


Do you know of a humectant balm that actually works? Also, are there lip balms/serums that actually smoothe the lips from the little wrinkles we get on them as we age?

I want proven stuff darnit!






Comments (34)

  • 4 years ago

    La Neige Lip Sleeping Mask, I started using this and i no longer need my lip balm. My formerly cracked, til they bleed lips, now stay healthy all winter.


  • 4 years ago

    I use Emogene & Co. CocoVanil Lip Balm. All natural, works great. On sale until midnight 11/29. https://www.emogeneandco.com/product-page/cocovanil-lip-conditioner

  • 4 years ago

    Vaseline, still the best, easiest to obtain and the cheapest. Carry it with you and reapply. Because of the nature and function of the mouth, nothing stays on lips for very long. Winter lip care isn’t a once a day action.

  • 4 years ago

    I'm going to check out the balms mentioned, thank you!


    KSWL, this isn't about how long something stays on our dry lips, this is about finding something that adds moisture to the inside of our lips.. Vaseline locks the moisture you already have in your lips which aren't that moist anyway when they're dry or chapped, or both. My lips are dry. So if you already have a lot of moisture in your lips, it's fine using it.


    If your lips are already dry and you put Vaseline on them, once the Vaseline wears off you will still have dry lips. Humectants bring moisture to the interior of your lip.


    I studied all of that last night. lol My lips feel great when somethings on them, but once it wears off it's back to dry lips again.


    My biggest shock when I had both dry and chapped lips a few years ago I bought a pack of Burt's Bees lip balm. Everyone raved. It had peppermint in it and burnt my lips! The raves were about how soft and moist their lips felt while the balm was still on. I don''t need anything for chapped lips just yet, the lips need mucho moisture.



  • 4 years ago

    My favorite is still the plain old Blistex stick:

    Like this

    I also use the old one that is in a dark blue package:

    Supposedly medicated

    I am also sensitive to peppermint but the medicated seems kind of minty but doesn't bother my lips. I have been using these for years!

  • 4 years ago

    Just to note that last year, with all the mask wearing and the humidity that adds to your face, my lips didn't chap at all...unlike most winters.

  • 4 years ago

    I use the same as KSWL. I live in the frozen tundra of New York. It works just fine for me. Added bonus is it's dirt cheap. 😁

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    About a week ago, I went around the house and car and looked in my purse and gathered up all my lip balms. I had at least 20. It's so dry in CO, I have lip balm stashed all over the house.

    I use the Le Neige lip mask at night, It helps a lot but I still need something for day, especially if I am talking a lot. It's too sticky for day use, especially with a mask.

    One of my favorites is Fresh Sugar advanced therapy treatment.

  • 4 years ago

    If the air humidity is low, it's very difficult for my lips (and cuticles) to stay hydrated. I've been using Nuxe's Reve de Miel (beeswax-based - in the little jar) daily for decades and it's the only thing that keeps my lips from splitting in Montreal winters. I apply it after brushing my teeth to seal in the water moisture. I don't find the stick version as effective as the jar. For lip balm sticks to carry around, I use Uriage or La Roche-Posay's. Both are paraffin-based, I believe. Waxes help seal in moisture. I stay away from anything menthol, medicated or with hyaluronic acid (which dries out moisture when the air is dry). Petrolatum-based products (e.g. Kiehl's lip balm #1) work but can be messy. Lip care is very YMMV as it's humidity dependant but it's very similar to hand care in that it needs to be done repeatedly (moisturizing after every hand washing). IIRC, Dr. Dray recommends Aquaphor ointment for lip care. You might want to check out her YT channel. She has more than one video on lip care, I'm sure. No nonsense and proven stuff.

  • 4 years ago

    I had terrible chapped lips a couple of years ago and did a deep dive into learning about lip balms. What stuck with me was: no Carmex (DH’s fav) and nothing with menthol.

  • 4 years ago

    A derm recommended Dr Dan's Cortibalm to my DD who is a mouth breather and a lip picker. It helped her lips immensely. I did just see an influencer talking about it and said it didn't taste the greatest but she put it on at bedtime and it works great. It is sold in local pharmacies, big box and on line


    Dr Dan's Cortibalm

  • 4 years ago

    I like Carmex also - in the little jar/tub. I also like aquaphor and vaseline, but make sure you are getting the lip treatments, not just regular vaseline. There is a blistex in a jar/tub that I like also.

  • 4 years ago

    Any lip balm is going to wear off quickly if you keep kissing random gorgeous men -- stop that!


    I used to like Avon's lip balm, so smooth and not gunky. Don't know if it is still made...

  • 4 years ago

    @RNmomof2 zone 5, I see that the Cortibalm has 1% hydrocortisone. Wouldn't prolonged use of that be problematic, especially when you stop using it (rebound effect)?

    I use old-fashioned plain Chapstick, which seems to last longer on my lips than others I've tried.

  • 4 years ago

    Okay, I just learned our lips need both at the same time.

    "Occlusive ingredients, such as petrolatum, beeswax, and shea butter, create a physical barrier to prevent moisture loss." In short: Humectants attract moisture and occlusives keep it from evaporating, and you should avoid lip products that only contain humectants."


    So you can keep wearing the balms, which I'll do on top of a humectant.

  • 4 years ago

    What works the best for me in our very dry climate is I smear one dot of Clinique DDML (the yellow face lotion) on my mouth area after washing, then use Dr. Bronner's lip balm to seal that in. It comes in flavors or unscented. I use the latter. The Dr. Bronner's formula has changed recently and I find it not as excellent as it used to be, but still better than anything else I've gotten my hands on. I haven't used the Skinceuticals lip balm though. That might be the absolute ticket.

    I used to have cracked, chapped lips when younger and got into the lip balm game at that time. I have reapply several times a day as I talk, eat and drink. Can't seem to stop that. ;-)

  • 4 years ago

    Dont forget to use a product with spf for daytime.

  • 4 years ago

    I'm outdoors a ton this time of year and I swear by Blistex, (the one in the blue/green tube.) I hate the taste and waxy feel of Chapstick and will avoid it at all costs. Funny memory: when I was in college and someone pulled out the metal tube of blistex, we'd all extend a finger for a drop.


  • 4 years ago

    @Oakley, I don't know if a product like this might be of interest: Neo Strata lip plumper. I haven't tried it and was underwhelmed by Jouviance's lip plumper with similar claims a couple of years back but thought I'd mention it since it's recent.


    Indeed offers a volumising lip treatment as well. It does contain HA though. I have it a light tint version and can't say I reach for it often.


    Might be an obvious suggestion but sometimes a humidifier at night can help.


  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Reminder/Tip: Do NOT lick your lips. "Saliva contains digestive enzymes that are detrimental to the delicate skin of the lips, leading to a breakdown of the protective barrier with subsequent reduction of moisture and increased vulnerability to irritants. This combination leaves lips prone to dryness, chapping, cracking/bleeding, and peeling." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8060673/

  • 4 years ago

    Reminder/Tip: Do NOT lick your lips


    That is like telling us to only eat one bite of (fill in your favorite snack). :D

  • 4 years ago

    Sorry I've been MIA, this shingles fatigue is just awful. No pain though!


    My lips are dry only in the winter with dry air and central heat, and being a mouth breather, I can't help but lick my lips unless I have balm on them.


    Last night I accidentally ate something way too spicy and my bottom lip swelled. They were so dry, I needed something to stay on them longer than ten minutes.

    I had no choice but to do a "taste test." These are the products I had on hand.


    Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment, LONG LASTING FOR VERY DRY LIPS (I call B.S. on that, lol)

    Burt's Bees Honey Moisturizing Balm-doesn't last that long & it stinks

    Vaseline - Lasted longer than normal balm but still wore off pretty fast

    The Naked Bee grapefruit blossom honey Lip Balm - The best for a stick balm

    I don't use Chapstick, Blistix, or Carmex, which I've used but not anymore.


    The winner by a landslide: Aquaphor Healing Ointment (In a tub) Advanced Therapy, to be used for any spot on your body. This is similar to Vaseline but thicker and stays on the lips ten times as long! I keep some in a tiny container about an inch high so I don't have to get the big tub out.




  • PRO
    4 years ago

    If you like Aquaphor healing ointment, you may like CereVe healing ointment. (I've used both.) In addition to a slightly higher % of petroleum, CeraVe also has dimethicone and ceramides; which for me makes it work a little better and longer than Aquaphor.


  • 4 years ago

    Thanks, mdln. I ordered a tube and it should be interesting comparing the two ointments. :)

  • 4 years ago

    My family all love the Mary Kaye chapsticks. they are soft, creamy, and not too shiny and stay on the lips, plus have sun screen.


    My daughter and I share a ”consultant membership for family and friends” and place a couple of orders a year just to get the 50% discount which brings the price to where it should IMOP. I dont particularly like their Business/Marketing style but we really like their skin care products and foundations and it does save us a considerable amount of money. DH always reminds me to get his chapsticks😉.

  • 4 years ago

    I only use Carmex and Burts Bees lip color with the menthol. May not be good but I love the cool, soothing feel on chapped lips. I use the BB when I'm not going to have a mask on and need some lip color - which is very rare these days.

  • 4 years ago

    I use Burts Bees a lot for daily wear and Philosophy's Kiss Me Lip Balm for night and anytime I want a little extra if I am at home (it is a jar). For very dry and chapped or cracked lips, you might want to check out Burt's Bees Hemp version. I didn't love the smell of it -- kind of medicinal, but it really seems to help hydrate and heal for those extreme times.

    The Philosophy Kiss Me was discovered when my son had cracked and bleeding lips from hours of daily outdoor trombone playing during marching season back in high school. He and I still use it, his girlfriend uses it and was impressed that she learned something about lip care from a guy. I've gave one to a friend and got her hooked on it too. I have to order directly from Philosophy and usually order several when they have a 30 or 40% off sale.

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    USA TODAY: Chapped lips are common this time of year. But is your chapstick making it worse?

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2021/12/08/chapped-lips-some-ingredients-may-drying-them-out-making-worse/6415544001/







  • 3 years ago

    I love Burt's Bees pomegranate stick. It also imparts a little color.

  • 3 years ago

    My lips, skin and hair all need extra care once it gets colder, heat is on, etc. I just switched to my cold weather regime. i use Aquaphor Immediate Relief.

  • 3 years ago

    Costco carries a 2 pack of the Aquaphor tubs for $20.


  • 3 years ago

    I'm about a cherry chapstick, it adds little bit of color but I picked this up last year after seeing a You-Tuber mentioned she uses it. IT'S TINY!! But unlike chapstick, it adds a little of shine along with a little bit of color. I like how it looks when have a little bit of foundation over my lips then just add a little bit of the rose vaseline for color and shine.


    https://www.target.com/p/vaseline-lip-therapy-fragrance-free-rosy-lips-twin-pack-2ct-0-5oz/-/A-52465425?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000049427611&CPNG=PLA_Health%2BShopping_Local%7CHealth_Ecomm_Essentials&adgroup=SC_Health&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9031321&targetid=aud-554348706659:pla-324196127945&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8P6hxKfX9AIVVRh9Ch08EQ27EAQYAyABEgIwSfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds