Kara Birnbaum / NBC Feb. 20, 2020, 5:28 PM UTC / Updated Nov. 16, 2022, 10:03 PM UTC This nourishing formula is enriched with colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and glycerin for the ultimate soothing and smoothing trifecta, in addition to hyaluronic acid and squalane for extra moisture. So what makes a good lip moisturizer? A good approach is to change balms if you feel like you're constantly having to apply the one you're already using or feel a tingling sensation when you apply. The NMF can become depleted with age and also from routine exposure to sensitizing ingredients like drying cleansing agents and denatured alcohol. Some humectants first break down the dead skin cells clogging up your skin's surface., These dead skin cells drop off in a process called cell turnover or desquamation. Petroleum jelly's initial purpose was as a medicinal salve, meant to speed up the healing process, when it was patented in 1872. Humectants include ingredients such as glycerin, urea, AHAs, and hyaluronic acid. Upon application to the skin, this lattice enables silicones to form a film on the surface while still allowing skin to breathe. Since silicones evaporate quickly and do not penetrate the pore lining, they cannot cause acne. For humectants to do their job, they need to stay in your skin and hair. This thick balm is a lip and body multitasker that's creamy enough to go on smoothly but doesn't get sucked up by thirsty lips right away. Theyre often added to food products as anti-caking agents. Adding emollients to the formula creates a smooth surface. If you find your lip color never glides on smoothly, apply this balm 10 to 15 minutes beforehand to ensure a smooth and even application. These are the ingredients that help the formula feel great upon application and help the skin feel comforted. If you're using a product and you feel like it's not getting better, you should generally consider switching to something more bland." However, it's highly advised to apply humectants on a damp or moist . Lips are particularly vulnerable because the skin is so thin, and . ", If your lips are chapped beyond recognition, this stuff is the good stuff, thanks to having basically all of the occlusive ingredients needed to lock in the moisture your lips can't create on their own. All Rights Reserved. Steer clear of irritants: While cooling agents like camphor and menthol feel good upon contact, they will sting and arent necessary to heal or improve lips, says Dr. Waldorf. Here, the best chapped lip treatments to get you through the winter and beyond. Chapped lips can crack, so if something could irritate a paper cut, you probably shouldn't slather it onto your mouth either. Shea butter, cocoa butter, vitamin E, jojoba and rosehip oils are . Not all of the ingredients listed above will irritate everyone, but if you are prone to irritation or chapped lips, you may want to avoid them. Hyaluronic acid. Hydrating skin care ingredients attract water, while moisturizers keep the hydration in. And which one should I choose for my skin type?. 1. Humectants pull water from the dermis to the epidermis and stratum corneum. "Therefore, there is a bit of trial and error in finding which lip balm is right for your pout." It has a nice thicker texture, no smell, no taste, no tingle, not sticky at all. What causes them, and what you can do about them. "It doesn't always peel off evenly. Along with drawing in water, AHAs help the body get rid of dead skin cells. Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. Lip balms with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and other humectants (ingredients that reduce the loss of moisture) are great options. "This prevents further moisture loss, as may occur from environmental insults such as cold, dry winter weather, and also optimizes barrier repair." We avoid using tertiary references. But if you find yourself slathering a bit too often, we have some bad news: Your precious lip balm may be causing more harm than good. It's literally magic," one reviewer wrote. Also called glycerine or glycerol, glycerin is a clear substance that occurs naturally in animal and plant tissue, including that of humans. Humectants are ingredients found in lotions and cleansers that hydrate the skin by attracting water molecules like a magnet. In addition to these moisturizing ingredients, this formula is rich in antioxidants and a blend of natural complexes including rosemary extract, sunflower extract,and nourishing watermelon rind. Dry, chapped lips are annoying any time of year, but the problem becomes more prominent in the fall and winter. This is why humectants should really be paired with occlusives and emollientseither in the same formula or layered together. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Also, please don't peel off any flaking lip skin, since this habit is also damaging to sensitive lip skin. Our online classes and training programs allow you to learn from experts from anywhere in the world. Petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, Lanolin, Silicone, and Wax. Some also have other benefits. Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think youll love as much as we do. $4 at Amazon $26 at Walmart. A humectant is a substance that draws water into the skin, hair, or nails. "These ingredients pull moisture out of the skin, especially in a . Secondly, you need to be careful of lip balm recipes that include humectant ingredients WITHOUT the presence of occlusive ingredients. Occlusives are primarily oil-based. "Unlike the rest of our skin, lips don't have sweat glands, so they're not able to produce their own sweat and oil," says Nkem Ugonabo, M.D., NYC-based board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm. "These ingredients pull moisture out of the skin, especially in a dry environment, and then the water evaporates away." A good lip product blends humectants, emollients, and occlusives to truly deliver hydration. A lot of the glycerin in makeup is made from soybean and sugarcane. occlusive. Print. StyleCaster is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Look for a lip balm that contains a mixture of humectant and occlusive ingredients not humectants on their own. Examples of products that can contain humectants include: Many ingredients act as humectants, including: All humectants have slightly different properties. He likes that its fragrance-free, oxybenzone-free, hypoallergenic, offers broad-spectrum UVA / UVB protection, and more. Humectants (Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin) // "Lip balms with humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin make lips worse," says dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., to Style Caster. Beeswax has lubricating, softening activities and reduces trans-epidermal water loss from skin 1. The super thick formula melts down nicely, and a little goes a long way for healthier lips come morning. Though it's technically a lip mask, and not a balm, this is still a winner in the fight against chapped lips. "When you pair the function of a humectant with the moisture-preserving properties of petrolatum, you are left with a highly effective combination of ingredients that both optimizes water content and locks it in where it's needed. Alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid are naturally derived acids from fruit and milk sugars. (See: Why You Should Be Using Lip Oil Instead of Lip Balm). This hydrating anti-aging formula contains humectants like glycerin, gluconolactone, sodium lactate, and Aloe vera leaf juice to draw moisture into the skin. . ), Vaseline is a great choice if your lips are sensitive, irritated, or if you suffer from allergies. Humectants also promote the shedding of dead cells (called desquamation) by breaking down the proteins that hold the cells together. The NMF is primarily composed of free amino acids and various derivatives of these amino acids, for example, PCA, urocanic acid, and inorganic salts, sugars, as well as urea and lactic acid. It slows the evaporation of water from the skin and helps protect against microbes. "Licking your lips can actually make them drier," explains Dr. Ugonabo. However, they work by forming a barrier over the skin, trapping moisture inside rather than attracting it. It's also a great option if you want a little scent without any potentially irritating chemicals (the scent here comes from rose oil) according to reviews. They also help repair and strengthen the skins natural protective barrier. Thanks to its hydrating qualities, it can be left on for a few minutes to give your lips a moisture boost before being buffed away. Whats more, you can use Bag Balm on any part of your body that is dry, chafed, or cracked. "They also have an overall decreased water content, which makes them more susceptible to becoming dry and rough." Amber Rambharose is a freelance beauty writer and editor. Another popular group of ingredients for moisturizing the skin and hair are emollients and occlusives. You're not imagining it: Some lip balms can leave your skin drier than before. They can add hydration without the use of heavier ingredients. There needs to be enough NH2 and OH groups on the molecule to counteract the nonpolar parts (i.e. Mind your reaction: Even some traditionally helpful ingredients, like beeswax, can cause allergic reactions in people, says Dr. Feely. Lanolips has given me lips that don't peel, chap, crack, and bleed, writes one satisfied customer. Dr. Maiman also recommends looking for humectants, ingredients that draw water from the lower layer of the skin (the dermis), into the upper layer of the skin (the epidermis), helping to moisturize the the outer layers of skin to help heal and prevent chapping. Exfoliating ingredients (like salicylic acid or physical granules in scrubs) should also be avoided if your lips are chapped, since it wont fix the underlying problem and can make your lips feel raw. Here, expert-approved and top-rated options that will take your lips from dry and chapped to smooth and supple. A great option for those who want something a bit more luxe. According to her, there are three elements needed to make a lip balm work. Ride Or Die Lip Balm (Cheeky Cherry) Hydrating tinted lip balm to repair dry lips. Uploaded by: amoraandroses on 12/27/2022. A favorite of Dr. Marchbein, this one's made from sugar (a natural humectant) and antioxidant-rich grapeseed oil. Choose A Lip Balm With Humectants & Occlusives. Made with shea butter, rosehip oil, and other botanical butter, this lip balm is worth the price tag. To be safe, Dr. Nussbaum recommends avoiding parabens, phenol, phthalates, fragrances, and lanolin altogether if you have sensitive skin. People can find them in a wide range of personal care products. Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen. Here, 10 uses for beeswax. Without occlusives, the moisture will evaporate and your skin will be left drier than it was before. Make sure to use it only if it contains both humectants, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, and occlusive agents, like beeswax, shea butter, or other oils. "Emollients have a tendency to spread on the skin and increase the rate of skin barrier restoration," says Dr. Schmid. "After saliva evaporates, the lips are often even drier than when it started." This coconut oil-based balm-gloss hybrid is the perfect product for those that like a bit of sheen while treating their lips. While humectants provide hydration, emollients soften the skin, and occlusives help prevent water in the skin from evaporating. Vaseline is an occlusive emollient thanks to its main ingredient . Vaseline is a great choice if your lips are sensitive, irritated, or if you suffer from allergies. This classic lip balm from Kiehls feels more like a light oil than your traditional Chapstick. A lot of winter factors contribute to dryness on your lips, but lip skin is already sensitive and prone to dryness. In that case, you could have an actinic keratosisa precancerous skin condition caused by excessive sun. A lip balm that contains SPF can help protect you from harmful UV rays. More specifically, your lips are made of two types of skin: the vermillion, which is red and partially covered with saliva, and the cutaneous component which has vellus hairs and soft, delicate skin, explains Snehal Amin, M.D., F.A.C.M.S., F.A.A.D., co-founder and surgical director of MDCS Dermatology. One reviewer raved: I applied a very small amount and my lips got much better after three days. In her current role, she covers all the latest trends in the clean and natural beauty space, as well as lifestyle topics, such as travel. "It works to prevent already dehydrated, chapped lips hold onto water," shares Dr. Maiman. Your specific preferences, skin needs, and use case will likely influence which ingredients you'll look for. Blistex Lip Balm, which has both occlusive and humectant properties, is a fantastic example. Walmart. In skin care, they draw water from the deeper layers of the skin to the outermost layer. This Treewear Beeswax Balm helps to keep moisture in the skin while still allowing it to breathe. The SkinQ Moisture Balm Face Moisturizer is designed for all the Indian skin types. Shop. Since humectants slow water from evaporating in the epidermis, they help to keep the skin hydrated. humectant, skin-conditioning agent - humectant, antistatic, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling . Sugar alcohols (glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, etc. SPF is also key, even in winter. According to Dr. Nussbaum, this is the same reason licking your lips worsens chapped lipsthe saliva quickly evaporates, leaving the lips even drier and starting the lip-licking cycle over again. This proprietary formulation helps, retain moisture content . She received her journalism degree from Marquette University, graduating first in the department. Instead of attracting moisture, they trap it beneath this barrier, preventing it from evaporating. A few examples of skin care ingredients that can be classified as humectants include the following: Humectant products can be used by all skin types, but they are best for those with normal to slightly dry skin. And the lip balms that are the most coveted, and last the test of time, have one thing in common in their formula. Plumping ingredients like capsaicin arent a great idea as they will cause swelling. Last medically reviewed on March 30, 2022. COOLA Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30$18. Another 2020 Healthy Beauty Award winner, this is like a love child of a lipstick and a lip balm, says Jessica Morse, clean beauty expert and founder of Bare Beauty.