PSA: Your lips are in a co-dependent relationship with you, and neglecting them can cost you. Think about it. They don’t contain oil-producing glands. They cannot self-moisture. They don’t retain water. The result is an inflamed, super-chapped pout that even the finest shade of lipstick cannot camouflage. Yeah.
And that lip-balm of yours is not doing you any favours. It’s doing the opposite, and it’s time for a confession. But that’s weird, right — considering that the product prides itself on its ability to treat and heal dryness and flakiness. Is it blatantly lying to you? Possible. How do you figure that out? Here’s a hint. There’s a drying lip-balm ingredient in the product that you’ve been overlooking all this time.
Stay Hydrated But With The Right Lip Balm
It’s Probably Because Of Hyaluronic Acid
While humectants like Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin have embossed themselves all over tags and labels, you must note that their presence doesn’t instantly suggest that the product is hydrating. Hyaluronic Acid’s day-to-day task involves drawing moisture from your surroundings before infusing your lips with much-needed respite; but the truth is that supplying moisture to your lips is not enough to treat or heal them.
But An Occlusive Should Solve The Problem
For a lip-balm to deliver on its ultra-hydrating abilities, the inclusion of a humectant is not enough. A humectant simply infuses your skin with moisture. But what about sealing and locking it all in? It’s possible that the moisture is just evaporating off the surface within minutes of application — leaving your lips dry and cracked again.
That’s why you need an occlusive to seal the deal. Because that’s exactly what it does. An occlusive’s day-to-day task involves forming a seal over the moisture to prevent it from evaporating. Some examples include petrolatum, jojoba, coconut, olive and argan oils, shea butter, and more. Make sure your humectant is always supplemented by an occlusive.
If Your Lip Balm Is Drying Despite Containing Both…
Here are a couple of explanations. While ingredients like menthol, benzocaine, phenol, and Salicylic Acid can provide an initial cooling and soothing sensation to the lips, these effects are temporary. These ingredients typically exfoliate the top-most layer of the skin — leaving it unprotected and sensitive to damage, redness, and inflammation.
Avoid Mineral Oil at all costs. Most lip-balms contain purified, cosmetic-grade Mineral Oil that cannot actually penetrate your skin owing to its large molecular structure. This just suffocates the lips more. Avoid flavoured and scented lip-balms in general. It’s the ‘aesthetic’ of the product that’s possibly drying your lips out too. Make sure you’re not trying to hydrate your lips by licking them. This dries them out even more. Yup.
Here Are Some Cult Favourites To Shop
Pucker up! These are the best lip-balms for dry lips in India.
Yeah. Don’t declare any ingredient a victor before doing your research. Read your labels, gals. Because even something as coveted as Hyaluronic Acid has side-effects and loop-holes.
Featured Image: Instagram