Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column of News.com.au. This week, Dr. Zac Turner Explain how the lip balm could damage your lips.
Ask: Hi Dr. Zac, I’m addicted to me lip balm. I apply it at least 10 times a day, before breakfast, after brushing my teeth, before leaving, when I come back in indoors and before bedtime. If I forget at home, my whole day is ruined. I have heard that using lip balm too often can make your lips drier. Have I created a problem for me? Can you really be addicted to the lip balm? – Milly, 28, Perth
Answer: Dear Milly, you are not absolutely alone. I used to be a series balm user. There was one in each pocket, every bag, the glove compartment, the gym box … It was basically the lip version of Mary Poppins.
So, let’s clarify something: the lip balm is not chemically addictive, but the habit? That is another story. What you probably developed is a behavior loop: your lips feel dry, balm applies, you get instant relief … Then your lips feel dry again. And repeat.
Your lips are a bit higher compared to the rest of your skin. They do not have oil gand, which mean that they cannot hydrate themselves. They are also constantly exhibited: wind, sun, spicy food, air conditioning, whatever. They completely trust external aid to stay hydrated.
But here is the kicker: not all lip balms are useful. Some create what we call dryness of rebound. They relieve for a moment, but then more lips are dried over time. It’s like sending a text message to your ex after drinks: it feels good for a second, but you always end up regretting it.
A large part of the problem is reduced to ingredients. Mentol, camphor and phenol may feel fresh and anthill, but they are real irritants. Fragrances and flavorings are fun, safe, but they are also a main cause of allergic reactions. And salicylic acid? Great for a grain, not so good when you exfoliate your lips in oblivion.
Even the oil gelatin, when used alone, can fail. Moisture is blocked, yes, but if your lips are already dry and sliced, everything that is locked is … squamous. You want something that is hydrated and protected.
It is really important to read the ingredients of your lip balm, and immediately change to these alternatives recommended by the doctor. Go to balds with ceramids, which help repair the barrier of your skin. Shea Butter, Lanolin, Beeswax: They are nutritious and Gentile. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract moisture in your skin and help keep it there. And yes, the lips can burn, so if your balm does not have SPF, basically let your lips be roasted as contestants in Survivor.
Now, let’s talk about the so -called “lip balm detoxification.” Some people go to Türkiye cold for 48 hours to break the habit. It can work, especially if your lips are not too damaged. That said, if your lips are cracked, bleeding or peeling, shaking the balm completely could get worse. The infection is a real risk, and no one is a chicken to end up explaining that to a chemist on a Monday morning.
Instead, exchange a balm rich in ceramide without fragrance and limit the use of several times a day after and before bedtime it is ideal. Drink a lot of water too. Dehydration appears on your lips rather than anywhere else.
If things still do not improve, it is Hemth with his GP. It could deal with a cheerful form, a condition that causes inflammation of the lips. It could be allergic, fungal, bacterial, or simply the result of licking the lips too (a surprisingly common habit in winter and the false stressful meetings of the zoom).
At the end of the day, it’s about balance. The use of excess lip balm can damage the barrier of your skin and leave it dependent. Underutilization can cause painful and cracked lips and only sun damage. The goal is not to throw your balm in the container, is to use it wisely.
Then, Milly, keep your balm, but choose one that is soft, moisturizing and fragrance free. Use it a couple of times a day. Think about it as you Skin care routineOr your love for marrying at first glance, a little can be comfortable. Too much? A slippery slope.
Your lips deserve care, not chaos.
