The Pout Paradox: Can Lip Balm Make My Dry Lips Worse?

How chapped lips destroy a “How We Met” story for your grandkids

Your eyes met, and you instantly felt naked and known, connected to someone in a fragment of a second and magnetically sucked into a swirl of emotions and events that your body chose for you. There is no drug greater than the other.

You talked and talked, slowly fusing into a single entity while getting slightly disgusted by yourself for even mentioning the soulmate theory, let alone discussing it aloud. The seconds unfolded as if scripted. You could do no wrong. Every atom of you yearned to touch the atoms of your person, to be in their presence, engulfed by their essence. You stared at their lips as they spoke of their childhood pet, Sir Fuzzy Bumm, overwhelmed by a desire to kiss them. They stop talking (OMG, it's happening!!! Breathe. No! Don’t breathe. Does your breath smell from this bucket of snacks? OMG!), no one dares say a thing, they lean in, you try to contain the explosion inside as the sunlight between your lips diminishes, and, and, and... And?!!! Sandpaper.

Rough, chapped lips just destroyed a “how we met” story, and you will have to lie to your grandbabies. If only there were a chapstick nearby.  

All chapsticks are lip balms, but not all lip balms are chapsticks

Well, actually, “If only there were a lip balm nearby” would be more accurate, as chapstick is the name of the megapopular lip balm brand owned by Suave Brands Company and introduced way way back in the 1880s. This is as far back as Edison's lightbulb moments and the creation of the first cars. Since then, the name has seeped into language as a synonym for all lip balms in day-to-day conversations.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why are my lips always dry?” or “Why are my lips so chapped?” as you sadly licked your dry, flaky lips, congrats. You're in good company. We’ve all been there. Lips are especially vulnerable to the elements and chemicals in makeup, lip scrubs, and skincare as they don’t have the same structure as the rest of the facial skin, lacking oil glands to protect themselves effectively. A little dryness can easily escalate to full-scale peeling and flaking, raising the stakes from discomfort to straight-out pain.

You naturally want to help your lips regain balance and grab a lip balm to soothe, recover, and protect your chapped lips (medically termed cheilitis). But here is an interesting question: What if the product meant to soothe is actually making things worse? It’s a question that’s worth exploring, especially if you find yourself constantly reaching for that tube of balm stashed in your bag, pockets, bathroom, kitchen drawers, car glove compartment, or office pencil holders, only to feel like your lips are constantly getting worse.

Why are my lips always dry (even before overdoing it with the balms)?

Several factors contribute to constantly dry lips. The thin and sensitive skin readily reacts to changing environmental factors like cold weather, wind, and sun exposure. These are some of the most common causes of chapped lips most of us are familiar with.

On the other hand, some internal factors of dry, chapped lips include dehydration, certain medications, and even breathing through your mouth, especially during strenuous physical activity or while asleep.

But if you’re using lip balm regularly and still wondering why your lips are always dry, it might be time to reconsider your product choice.

The Lip Balm Paradox

Essentially, lip balms, masks, serums, oils, and all others are designed to create a protective barrier on your lips, compensating for the lack of sebum glands on the lips to lock in moisture and provide relief from discomfort. However, not all lip balms are created equal, nor have the same ingredients. Some can actually exacerbate the uncomfortable and unsightly problem, leaving you stuck in a perpetual cycle of dryness and reapplication.  The centrifuge of spinning in circles can be disturbed by introducing a new momentum; in our case, information on why some lip balms may not be your best choice. So, why do some cause more problems than solutions in the long run?

Occlusive Ingredients

Many lip balms contain occlusives like petroleum jelly. These ingredients sit on top of the skin, creating a barrier that conveniently prevents moisture from escaping. While this might sound dreamy as you practice air kisses, occlusives can also trap dryness and prevent your lips from absorbing external moisture. This may be a problem if your lips are already dry and can worsen over time.

Humectants Without Occlusives

Some lip balms include humectants, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which draw moisture into the skin. That sounds like great news and exactly what you need. And it is. But (there’s always a but somewhere in sight)! But, if these humectant ingredients aren’t paired with occlusives, they can actually pull moisture from deeper layers of the skin, leading to more dryness on the surface. It would be wise to check if your balm (that is not working) has both. There are many useful apps that can easily scan ingredients and give you a breakdown.

Irritating Ingredients

Balms should be balmy, as to their job description, but some were lying on their application. Certain lip balm ingredients can irritate the delicate lip skin, leading to increased dryness and sensitivity. Common irritating culprits include menthol, camphor, and artificial fragrances or flavors. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why are my lips always chapped?” check the label of your favorite balm for these ingredients. For skin and body care in general, try to avoid artificial synthetic additives and try to focus on natural origin ingredients.

Over-Application

The ingredients of poisons and remedies usually don’t differ much, and the beneficial or detrimental effect depends on the dose. Using lip balm too often can actually make your lips sort of hooked on outside help, like two pouty little junkies that forget how to function without help from outside substances.

Constant reapplication can prevent your lips from naturally regulating their moisture levels, leading to a reliance on the balm to stay hydrated. In some cases, this may go to the point that even lip balm is not enough, sort of like addicts developing tolerance and needing more and more of their substance to get the same effect.

Finding the Best Lip Balm for Dry Lips

Choosing a lip balm with the right ingredients is important to avoid worsening dry or chapped lips. Look for balms that combine humectants with occlusives to lock in moisture without causing irritation and worsening the problem.

Here’s what to look for:

Natural Occlusives

Ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and lanolin provide a protective barrier without being too heavy or suffocating the skin. We all end up eating the amount of lip products, so you know these are safe and natural.

Hydrating Humectants

Glycerin, aloe vera, and honey or Manuka honey help draw moisture into the skin, making them great choices for lip balms.

Soothing Ingredients

Look for balms with ingredients like calendula or chamomile, which can help calm and repair irritated lips.

Dermatologists often recommend avoiding menthol, camphor, or salicylic acid balms, which can be too harsh on sensitive skin. If you’re still wondering, the best answer to the question “Is chapstick bad for you?” is that it mostly depends on the formulation. Most lip product brands offer a variety of formulas, so it’s all about finding one that works for you without causing irritation.

The Best Moisturizing Lip Balm Recommendations

If you’re on the hunt for the best lip balm for chapped lips, here are a few options that dermatologists often recommend:

Aquaphor Lip Repair: A dermatologist-recommended lip balm that combines soothing ingredients with effective moisture-locking properties.

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm: Made with natural beeswax and vitamin E, this balm provides a natural, long-lasting barrier.

Eucerin Lip Active: It contains both glycerin and shea butter, making it a great choice for hydrating and protecting dry lips.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: This overnight lip treatment is packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and a proprietary Moisture Wrap™ technology, which helps lock in hydration while you sleep. Infused with a blend of nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and berry extracts, it leaves your lips feeling soft, smooth, and deeply moisturized by morning.

So, if you don't know why your lips are always chapped, it might be time to reassess your lip care routine. While lip balm can be a lifesaver, choosing the right one to provide true hydration and protection without causing further irritation is the way to go. Remember the good old saying: sometimes less is more, and use your balm sparingly when you really need it.

We hope the information you find here will make you that dreaded informed shopper and help you choose your best balm without overpaying for fraudulent or subpar-quality sticks. Blow yourself a kiss, own your “How We Met” story, and see you in the next round!