My lips are perpetually parched. It’s a year-round struggle that demands a nightly ritual of thick lip masks or balms just to get a good night’s sleep. Skip this routine for a few days, and my lips revolt, particularly the corners of my lower lip. The skin toughens, and any attempt at lipstick application is met with unsightly flakes of dead skin. Understanding the chapped lips causes is crucial in addressing this issue.
Why Are Lips So Vulnerable?
It’s clear that lip skin is uniquely delicate. Unlike the rest of our face, lips are constantly in motion, involved in speaking, eating, and facial expressions. Their structure is a hybrid between skin and mucous membrane, lacking a protective sebum layer and boasting a remarkably thin stratum corneum. To put it in perspective, our facial skin has 12-16 layers of this protective barrier, while our lips only have 3-5. This, combined with the absence of sweat and oil glands, means lips lose moisture rapidly, leading to dryness and peeling – common symptoms of chapped lips.
The Lip Balm Dependency Dilemma
Like many, I’m a lip balm devotee. I stash them everywhere and apply them religiously. But is this constant application creating a dependency? Some believe that frequent use weakens the lips’ natural defenses, leading to increased dryness when the balm is absent.
Dermatologists, however, refute the idea of lip balm addiction. While no ingredient is inherently addictive, they warn against certain components that provide initial relief but ultimately exacerbate dryness.
Identifying the Culprits: Irritants in Lip Balm
Fragrances and flavors are common offenders, especially for those with sensitive skin. While they don’t directly dry out the lips, they can trigger irritation, leading to inflammation and chapping. This, in turn, fuels the need for more balm, creating a vicious cycle and contributing to chapped lips.
“Medicinal” lip balms often contain camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol. These ingredients provide a temporary cooling sensation but can be significant irritants. Additionally, flavored balms containing cinnamon or mint can encourage lip licking, which actually worsens dryness. Saliva, with its digestive enzymes, further irritates and dries the already fragile lip skin, a primary factor in chapped lips causes.
Seeking True Relief: Beneficial Ingredients
If you’re experiencing persistent dryness despite avoiding irritants, focus on the beneficial ingredients in your lip balm. Hyaluronic acid is a fantastic humectant, drawing moisture into the skin. However, for lips, the key is locking that moisture in. This is where occlusive ingredients, like those found in ointments, come into play.
Traditional ointments often rely on Vaseline or wax, which can be effective but may cause allergic reactions in some. Thankfully, many brands are now opting for plant-based oils, such as sunflower, almond, and coconut oil, which provide a gentler, yet equally effective, barrier. Ingredients like shea butter, squalane, and vitamin E also contribute to repair and hydration.
Ultimately, finding the right lip balm is a personal journey. Pay attention to the ingredients, avoid known irritants, and prioritize formulas that provide both hydration and a protective barrier. With the right approach, you can break the cycle of dryness and achieve healthy, comfortable lips.
Recommended Deep Moisturizing Lip Balm
1. La Bruket Orange Blossom Night Lip Balm
L:a Bruket’s 017 Coconut Lip Balm is highly nourishing and moisturizing, and is loved by many people. In 2025, it launched a healing lip balm series, including the 311 Orange Blossom Night Lip Balm. It believes that lips are the sensory center of the face and the intersection of taste, smell and touch. Neuroscience research shows that multi-sensory stimulation can send signals to the brain to help relieve negative emotions and stress. The natural fragrance of the lips can send positive messages to the brain. Orange Blossom Night Lip Balm is a highly concentrated formula made from 100% natural ingredients and is certified by COSMOS Natural. It contains pure plant oils such as almond oil and coconut oil, and added vitamin E. The large capacity design can be used approximately 900 times, continuously soothing and protecting the lips.
2. Kiehl’s Lip Balm No.1
Kiehl’s classic Lip Balm No. 1 has an upgraded formula, removing beeswax, petrolatum and lanolin, and replacing it with plant-based oils and sunflower wax. In addition to being more natural, it is also more refreshing and easier to absorb, and forms a soft matte texture on the lip muscles. The vegan formula is more environmentally friendly.
3. Dior Addict Lip Glow
Dior Addict Lip Glow is a unique lip balm that enhances your natural lip color while providing intense hydration. Its 97% lip care base, including cherry oil and shea butter, strengthens your lip’s natural barrier and soothes dryness. The formula reacts with your lips’ pH level to create a customized shade, revealing a natural, healthy glow. This creamy balm delivers maximum comfort and care, leaving your lips feeling soft, hydrated, and radiant.
