If you are like me, you probably lick and bite your lips a lot. Am I late to this, or did everyone know that we are not supposed to do that? According to a study, when you lick your lips to hydrate them, it acts as a counter-productive remedy to dry, cracked lips, because your tongue contains saliva that is used to break down food particles. Saliva contains acidic enzymes that can strip your lips of its existing moisture leading to more damage.
Lips are more sensitive than the rest of your skin, according to a study, the lip membrane only has three to five cellular layers in thickness, in contrast to the 16-layer facial skin. Moreover, our lips don’t even have hair glands, oil glands, sweat glands, or sebaceous glands that produce natural sebum. All this together makes our lips weaker and more susceptible to damage.
On top of that, environmental stressors, the blast-freezer of an office, and the constantly changing weather around us are all harming our lips further.
If you haven’t already started taking care of your lips in your self-care routine, there’s no time like the present to pamper your puckers for a healthy pout. I tried 15 lip balms and here are 8 products that really stood out for me.
Trusted Legacy
Ever since I was a child I remember my mom and grandmom applying Vaseline petroleum jelly on their lips. I did that too, in my attempt to be like them, replicating their skincare routine, back in the day when skincare used to be just a cream and this jelly. Now that I have moved out of their home I still carry a piece of their legacy with this Vaseline Lip Tip but with my Gen-Z twist.
The Underdog
This product from Sebamed is made with jojoba oil and vitamin E, I tried this for a week and the formulation reminds me of those old-school chapsticks that we would carry with us. An unflavoured, no-nonsense lip balm that supported the natural barrier of my lips. Plus, it also has SPF 30 so great for a day in the sun.
Veterans In The Game
Nivea has been the moisturisation game for decades if not more, from those handy tins to now bath and body, Nivea's formulation has always been spot-on. For my lips too, I found their product ideal for dryness. It has shea butter, and natural oils, and even comes in a lot of flavours and colours.
Aesthetic All The Way
Now that I have a job and some disposable income, a fun experience is worth the splurge. This lip balm from Florence By Mills has the cutest packaging with an adorable tiny little whale at the bottom. This product from Millie Bobby Brown’s collection is my favourite in terms of formulation and efficacy.
Best Budget Buy
Surprisingly, out of all the homegrown brands, Faces Canada turned out to be the most budget-friendly lip balm that is not just easy on the pocket but also offers all the benefits I expect from a lip balm. I also noticed that it ever-so-slightly helped with my pigmentation because of the vitamins C and E.
Most Fun To Apply
This lip balm has its product in a convenient mound that’s just such a fun experience during application. Additionally, it's made with real bee wax, pure vitamin E, and jojoba oil, and hence has a waxy texture that offers a matte finish. So if you don’t prefer a very sticky aftermath, this is a good option.
For The Flavour Of It
I love (or more like, addicted to) coffee – and this lip balm from Mcaffeine is the perfect hydration for my lips because I can keep smelling like coffee all day! It has cocoa butter, hazelnut oil, and coffee extracts that together create a symphony of aromatics that would harmoniously nourish and moisturise my puckers.
Fun Under The Sun
This lip screen from Kriti Sanon’s range is my favourite. I tried the viral lip balm from Hailey Bieber’s Rhode last year, and this lip balm from Hyphen is a very good alternative. Made with peptides, kojic acid, and natural oils, it hydrates, nourishes, and protects even from the sun with SPF 30.
Over two months I tried 15 lip balms and finally locked down on my top eight products so you don’t have to. For best results, swipe the product every two hours, especially before going to bed, to wake up to softer lips. Choose from these eight picks if you have dry, chapped lips. Kiss damaged lips goodbye and say hello to healthy, soft, and glowing lips every day.
