Here's why lip balm is the best way to treat cracked lips
While dry, cracked lips can send us up the wall, some of the lip balms we’ve come to rely on to hydrate us may end up doing more harm than good. Also, you do not make the situation any easier by licking your lips. The saliva has enzymes in it that irritates the skin of our lips.
Is there a reason for concern when wearing a signature lipstick or lip stain for longer periods? You will be just fine if you take the necessary care to add a coat of the best lip balm.
Besides, we need our lips to kiss loved ones, take duck-face selfies, and to talk. This is why dealing with chapped lips are not only painful in the literal sense, but very embarrassing. It may not help your cause if you apply lip balms too often.
What Do the Specialists Have to Say About Using Lip Balm?
Most lip balms only offer temporary relief, while other types would even make your lips drier.
Why does this happen?
You see, the thin film of moisture from lip balms that coat our lips soon evaporates and leads to lips that are more hydrated than before. It turns into a vicious cycle.
Even though lips seem to look different than other areas of our skin, they function the same way. Furthermore, our lips consist of three layers of cells, made up of the outermost layer, the epidermis, and the dermis. The first layer, the stratum corneum, is thinner than the other layers and more open to damage.
What’s more, our lips do not possess oil glands or hair follicles. It is the oil from the glands surrounding the lips that create enough moisture, It may sound good to lick your lips or apply lip gloss from a tube, but you will discover it is one of the worst things you can do as it may lead to further dehydration.
Lip Balm Ingredients — Are They Any Good?
Certain lip balm brands have ingredients that prove to be very drying and irritating. Some culprits are cinnamic aldehyde, salicylic acid, menthol, and peppermint flavors. Many individuals have no trouble at all with these ingredients, But, those prone to allergies and sensitive skin might be more sensitive to have these on their lips.
Shiny oils and glosses seem to intensify damage from UV rays. You can say it is like you have a magnifying glass that channels a powerful beam of light directly onto your lips. Seeing that one’s lips lack sufficient melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color, we sustain more sun damage should shiny lip products be used.
Experts suggest we make use of a thick, emollient ointment or best lip balm that has SPF in it to help protect our lips. Plain old petroleum jelly or glycerin are good ingredients to look out for. Making use of a quality humidifier at home is a good idea as it will replenish the moisture we lose in the air and help our lips stay hydrated. We can do with drinking more water too.
Tips for Choosing the Best Lip Balm
Beauty specialists reckon we should avoid products that have salicylic acid, menthol, and phenol in it. However, it is said to be a myth that applying lip balm too often makes our bodies lazy and prevent it from creating natural moisture around the lip area. Indeed, inferior brands that contain salicylic acid, phenol, and menthol dry out our lips.
Be sure to limit the use of lip balms that contain added flavoring or scents. These will end up irritating your skin and result in allergies.
Rather be on the lookout for petroleum-based jelly products as they keep your lips moist and prevent them from cracking, or make your own lip balm with nourishing ingredients
For best results, source a lip balm that features at least an SPF 30. It is not a bad thing to apply sunscreen too when you are at the beach or pool. Some doctors reckon that it is a myth that one can get skin cancer from using lip gloss or balm that has a shine in it. They may see skin cancer forming on lips, but nothing that the lip balms should be blamed for.
Resources — Health Essentials, Live Science, The Healthy
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