Finding relief for dry lips can sometimes be challenging. Whether the dryness is caused by cold, dry winter weather, eating spicy food, sun damage, or unconsciously licking them, it can be an ongoing problem. Applying a balm can be even more maddening, especially when our lips seem drier, and we constantly reapply it.
Why Some Balms Dry Out Your Lips
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that we check the label of our go-to balms. Ingredients that include camphor, eucalyptus, menthol, lanolin, salicylic acid, fragrance, and flavors like cinnamon, citrus, mint, and peppermint may be irritating. Cooling, plumping, or exfoliating products can worsen matters. Even balms that are formulated with glycerin and hyaluronic acid can be problematic because they also attract moisture to the skin. But in low humidity, they pull moisture out of your skin, leaving lips drier than they were before.
The Ingredients That Work Best
Dermatologists recommend looking for lip products that strengthen the skin with emollients like ceramides or are occlusive, which means they seal in moisture —like petroleum jelly, coconut oil, or beeswax. Other hydrating ingredients include castor seed oil, hemp seed oil, mineral oil, shea butter, and dimethicone.
Traditional Balm Picks
Aquaphor Lip Protectant & Sunscreen, $7.54, offers SPF 30 protection, is fragrance-free, doesn’t contain dyes, and is paraben-free.
L’Occictane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Lip Balm, $13, has Shea Butter, Sunflower Oil, Vitamin E, and Beeswax.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Vanilla, $24, is 100% vegan, contains Shea and Murumuru Seed Butters and vegan waxes, and offers cruelty-free hydration.
Vaseline Advanced Healing Lip Therapy is ideal if petroleum jelly has always been your go-to.
Lip Oil Picks
A lip oil can be a great choice if you want hydration and sometimes want a hint of color.
Burt’s Bees Hydrating Lip Oil with Sweet Almond Oil, $6.59, is a 100% natural formula that contains responsibly sourced ingredients that hydrate and help retain moisture.
Ami Colé Lip Treatment Oil, $20 (each), combines Baobab Seed. Camellia and Passionfruit Oil with a light wash of color. Available in six shades.
Fenty Skin Fenty Treatz Hydrating and Strengthening Lip Oil, $24, mixes Sweet Cherry, Jojoba, and Rose Hip Fruit Oils, and Barbados and Wild Cherry Extracts to nourish, soothe, and condition lips.
In addition to using a product that offers hydrating properties to our lips, we also need to ensure we get our H20.
