Beauty

Can your lips become addicted to lip balm?

By
This is how you break the vicious smear circle

Lip balm we apply it when our lips feel dry, as protection against cold or sun, and sometimes just… out of habit. But have you ever felt that you can’t live without it? As if your lips seem to get drier the more you apply it?

How does lip balm actually work?

Lip balm is designed to retain moisture and protect your lips from external factors such as sun, cold, wind, air conditioning, or heating. Good lip balms contain moisturizing ingredients such as:

  • Shea butter – nourishing and soothing
  • Hyaluronic acid – attracts moisture
  • Beeswax – creates a protective layer against drying out
  • Vitamin E – supports skin repair

But – and here’s the catch – some balms contain ingredients that work against you. And then you quickly end up in the so-called smear circle.

Why do we keep applying?

Although your lips can’t physically become addicted to lip balm, two things can happen that make it feel addictive. 1. Irritating ingredients that dry out your lips.

Some ingredients give a fresh or tingling sensation, but actually dry out your lips in the long run. Think of:

Menthol and camphor

  • – fresh, but irritating Synthetic fragrances and flavorings
  • – can cause a tight feeling The result? Your lips feel dry, so you apply. And so you keep going.

2. The habit of applying.

Applying just feels nice. Comfortable. Especially with a scent or flavor. And then it becomes an automatic action – even when your lips actually don’t need help.

How do you prevent that smear circle?.

Do you want to make your lips less dependent on lip balm (and your bag a little less full)? Then here are your go-to tips:

Choose a lip balm without irritating ingredients – think of shea butter and beeswax

  • Drink enough water, because hydration starts from within
  • Use a balm with sun protection when it’s sunny
  • (yes, your lips can burn too) SPF Gently exfoliate your lips – a soft scrub works wonders
  • And don’t lick your lips. Really. Don’t do it.
  • So… are your lips addicted?.

Not really. There is no physical addiction, but there is a habit and sometimes a wrong formula that keeps making your lips ask for more. So choose wisely, apply consciously, and hydrate yourself not only from the outside but also from the inside.

is a skin therapist, scientific researcher (MSc), and founder of Skin Clinic. She has over twenty years of experience in skin improvement and the medical and cosmetic applications of laser treatments.

Annelijn van Ierland skinkliniek.nl.

 Hailey Bieber natural with lip balm

Image: @haileybieber