7 Reasons Why You Should Not Apply Store-Bought Lip Balm Too Often

Using store-bought lip balms can be pretty addictive. You probably have one on your desk, another in your bathroom, and maybe even a handful of them in your purse. For many of us, a lip balm feels like having a metaphorical third limb, and applying some has become a part of our daily routine. We tend to remove and reapply it multiple times throughout the day. While at first, you may think that this seems like a totally normal thing to do, it is far from ordinary. The reality is that your lips are extremely sensitive, and if you apply too much lip balm, it can start to affect the appearance of your lips in the long run. Of course, there are a variety of factors that influence the appearance of your lip skin which include the amount of water you drink, your diet, whether you are a smoker, and more. So if you find yourself reaching for that shiny little tube too often, we have seven good reasons why you should not:

1. It May Dehydrate Your Lips

Though this might sound ironic but actually it is in fact very true. If you just cannot skip using store-bought lip balms, you should at least avoid using lip balms with certain moisture-sucking ingredients. They will usually have a slimy texture but some of the components rip your lips off your existing moisture and seep into your lips. Notice that after the lip balm wears out, your lips feel more dry and chapped than it originally was. This leads to repetitive application. Ingredients like menthol and phenol are terrible for your lips and suck out all the natural moisture that is present on them (1). While menthol may give you a pleasant tingly, cooling sensation, it can also dry out your lips and make them even more chapped. This will result in a never-ending cycle of applying lip balm when your lips are dry, getting instant relief, and using it again when they’re dry.

2. Some Ingredients Do More Damage Than Good

Most mass-produced lip balms contain plenty of chemicals that you should anyway be avoiding. This is especially the case for fragrant lip balms that contain artificial ingredients. Since you probably swallow and lick off your lip balm throughout your day, you should be avoiding using lip balms with unnatural fragrances. If you are someone who has sensitive skin, then you can suffer from an array of skin conditions if you make use of the wrong ingredients. Phenol, which is used to create a lip-plumping effect, is actually a preservative. Of course, it won’t cause much harm when used in small amounts, but wouldn’t it be better to just switch to using a natural alternative instead (2)? Especially the ones with fruity and floral artificial fragrances as they contain many different ingredients to damage your lips in the long run.

3. It May Cause Irritation To The Skin Surrounding Your Lips

Menthol, for example, is an ingredient that can irritate the skin surrounding your lips and may even cause hives in that area. Many beauty experts would advise you not to apply your lip balm more than thrice a day. You should apply it once after waking up, once after you’ve finished eating or drinking, and right before you go to bed. If you are using it too much, you might start to experience irritation and spot the appearance of darkening around that area. The darkening usually occurs on the corners of your lips and sometimes the skin around your lips. It will not only disfigure your face but also cause unnecessary irritation.

4. You Can Get Addicted To Applying It

Some people may claim that they feel like they are lip balm addicts, but that is not really the case. You cannot actually get addicted to lip balm, but you can get addicted to applying it. How you may ask? Well, it’s because many of us can get addicted to the soothing and cooling sensation of applying lip balm on our chapped lips. Even if you might not be one of those people who are constantly applying and reapplying lip balm, you most definitely know someone who is doing so. So many companies use ingredients that dry your lips because they want you to keep buying and reapplying for their products.

5. Your Lips Will Become Dependent On Lip Balm

While your lip does not have oil glands present on it, it does have some way of balancing out the natural hydration levels. When you cover up your lips in an artificial barrier that locks in the moisture, which is how all lip balms work, it can cause your lips to work less to maintain their own levels of hydration. Thanks to this, your lips start to become dependent on lip balms, and your lips get drier than they would if you skipped using lip balm.

6. It Doesn’t “Cure” Chapped Lips

One of the best ways to actually treat dried and chapped lips is to exfoliate them and then use a natural lip balm to seal in the moisture. Since you are making the lip balm yourself, you can control exactly what type of ingredients will be going into it. But first, you must exfoliate off all the dirt, grime, and dead skin cells that will be present on your lips. You can make a natural sugar and honey-based lip scrub to do this. Ensure that you do not scrub too hard, as that can leave fine cuts on your lips. Once you are done with the cleansing process, you can use a natural homemade lip balm to lock in the moisture.

7. It Can Get Pricey In The Long Run

If you are someone who cannot live without applying your lip balm daily, then you know exactly what we are talking about. You probably have a lip balm in every single purse you use and can’t seem to keep your hands off it when you are out and about. For some, applying lip balm becomes an equally important necessity like brushing their teeth every day. Since most of these are renowned cosmetic brands, the different products including lip balms can surely burn a hole in your wallet. The disadvantage of using store-bought lip balm is that it can get quite pricey in the long run. It is a much better idea to make a natural alternative of your own using petroleum jelly, beetroot (to tint it), and others.

Natural and DIY skincare is the best alternative to store-bought products and is as easy to port around like others. You can purchase a tiny travel-sized container or glass bottle to store your homemade lip balm and find tonnes of easy recipes online. We are not asking you to boycott store-bought lipsticks. It is, however, best to use occasionally to avoid the above disadvantages to your skin as well as budget. Do let us know all of your thoughts on this article in the comment section below!

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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