Be ware of your lip products!

Carmex, chapstick, blistex… any of these brands sound familiar?

Well if you’re a victim of chapped lips like me, then you’re probably addicted to applying and reapplying these products. I know I am, especially because I run out really quicktly by biting, chewing or smacking my lips a lot (also I live in Canada). But I came to the disturbing knowledge that these products are actually HARMING our lips, more than they are healing them.

Apparently these products contain agents that dry the lips, which just makes us want to use more product, and “tingling” agents that actually make us addicted to it. For example, Carmex contains an ingredient called Salicylic Acid that is also used in acne products that dries out the skin. This harshness is balanced out with Phenol, which is an anaesthetic which makes your lips feel good temporarily. So it basically gives a vicious cycle of putting on product, feeling moisturized temporarily, drying out quickly, and then reapplying product, feeling moisturized temporarily, and etc.

To be honest, I’m not too surprised because for a while I was wondering why I felt like my lip problems were getting worse when I applied some of these balms. And I feel like there’s not much in the world is still safe and trustworthy… which is a sad realization..

But fear not!

There are still ways to moisturize your lips without being afraid!

Some safe brands that I’ve found so far are:

• Burt’s bees: Yes, they may be a tad more expensive then your chapsticks, but they do last you a lot longer because you do NOT have to reapply as much!
• Fresh’s sugar balms: They contain all kinds of natural oils (mostly from seeds) and also provide SPF for those sunny days.
• Badger Balm: I haven’t tried it myself, but I only hear lots of good things. It’s made up of two ingredients: Organic extra virgin olive oil, organic beewax.

There are actually a lot of organic, non-harming lip products out there so you can still have a soft-lipped winter. Just remember that even though it SAYS its organic, don’t just buy it right away and try reading the ingredients first.

I think that lip products should all be chosen by personal preference. So if you think that Carmex works fine on you and you don’t care, then that’s your choice. I’ve also heard some people say that Burt’s Bees feels “waxy” to them, but for me the pomegranate one feels fine (the peppermint one, not so much). Try reading reviews, look carefully at the ingredients, and find one that is right for you.

Disclaimer: The research and information has not been found by me, but come from other sources. Also, I am not paid by anyone to say anything, just wanted to share my own knowledge and opinions.