Does lip balm dry out your lips?

The answer isn't so cut and dry.

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In a Nutshell Once upon a time, a friend told me that she never wears lip balm because "it leaves your lips even more chapped than before." As a lip balm lover, I immediately disagreed. But after thinking about it a bit, I've gotta say … my lips *are* still chapped even despite my endless access to the 47 tubes I have lying around my apartment. Is there truth to this claim? I went down a research rabbit hole to find out. Learn the lip balm lowdown below. First up, check out these must-read health stories: • 13 foods that can lower cholesterol levels • Do you really burn more calories while standing? • Common (toxic) ingredients found in cigarettes Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota January 15, 2024 • 3 min read

what's got us buzzing Can lip balm make your lips more chapped? Lip balm *is* meant to hydrate and create a protective barrier against moisture loss and damage. But certain products can actually keep your lips chapped if they contain dehydrating or irritating ingredients. Some common culprits include fragrances, flavorings, and menthol. But doesn't that defeat the entire purpose of lip balm? Not so fast. There are lip products out there that actually moisturize. For best results, look for products with humectants like hyaluronic acid, lanolin oil, glycerin, or plant-based fatty acids like sunflower oil and cocoa butter — all of which help to boost and lock in hydration. Even if you always use the best lip balm, you'll still want to take good care of your lips. So make sure you're drinking enough water and not licking your lips before going out in cold weather, trying the harmful lip brushing TikTok trend, or doing any of these other habits that can cause chapped lips. In conclusion: Is my love for lip balm mainly for the silky smooth application sensation and not how it hydrates my lips? Probably. Am I going to stop using it? Absolutely not. I'm just going to swap my not-so-effective go-to balm for something from this list that might *actually* help my lips. lip care 101 👄 Tell us: Are you a lip balm lover or hater? Do you have a favorite product? Share your thoughts with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!)

Great finds This balm is the bomb       Burt's Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment This lip balm is adored by so many Healthline editors that it scored the title of "best overnight lip balm" from our team! It's got a bunch of nourishing ingredients, including ceramides which are recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology to help treat chapped lips. All you have to do is apply a generous amount to your lips before bed, and it'll work its moisturizing magic overnight. Oh, and did we mention it's under $10?! Buy now Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health.

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health stories you need What we're reading next 💋 Health benefits of kissing. Speaking of lips, there are a bunch of potential psychological and physical perks to puckering up! 🛌 Best sleeping positions for a good night's sleep. You might want to switch it up. 🔗 The link between your thyroid and libido. Here's how different thyroid issues can affect your sex drive. 🍌 Which fruits have the highest amount of sugar? PSA: Sugar in fruit isn't a bad thing, but some have much more than others.

Thanks for reading! And shout out to reader Alphy J. for sharing their 2023 lesson that we (read: I) could definitely benefit from. "The one thing that helped me a lot this year was to let go of unnecessarily overthinking things and then getting worried. Let the future take care of itself!"

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by eating Chapstick as a kid.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2024 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001