Dry, cracked, and chapped lips are painful to have, unsightly to look at, and hard to conceal.

They can make you feel self-conscious and even interfere with eating and speaking.

Americans spend over 200 million dollars each year on lip balm alone, and 66% of people use a lip balm daily.

A high-quality lip balm will keep your lips moisturized, smooth and prevent cracking in the cold winter months.

But winter isn’t the only time you need lip balm!

What is Lip Balm and When Do You Need It?

Lip balms contain a combination of waxes and oils that work by forming a protective seal over the lips to trap moisture and prevent cracking.

Ingredients like petroleum jelly, beeswax, and shea butter are often used in lip balm formulas to create a barrier which prevents water from evaporating into the surrounding dry air.

Here are 8 situations that you should always remember to use a lip balm:

1.     After Every Meal

Many people tend to lick their lips while eating and drinking, which coats your lips in saliva. Saliva compromises the barrier of the lips and breaks down delicate tissue.

That saliva evaporates quickly, causing your lips to feel even dryer. This leads to vicious lip licking cycle that will leave you more chapped than before.

To prevent your lips from chapping and irritation, apply a moisturizing lip balm after you eat or drink. It will change your life.

2.     Before Applying Lipstick or Lip Gloss

Just like any other cosmetic product, lipsticks and glosses can be drying on your lips.

Have you ever applied lipstick over dry or chapped lips before? I can assure you it isn't pretty - and it will only worsen the problem.

If you have dry or chapped lips, apply a thick coat of lip balm first before applying any other cosmetic product on your lips.

Lip balm can prime your lips, ensuring they are hydrated, and soft for a smoother application of your lipstick or lip gloss.

3.     When You Are Outdoors

The sun’s harmful UV rays can cause burns, sun damage, wrinkles and cancer on your lips.

If you will be spending time outdoors, The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using a lip balm with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ to protect the delicate lips from damaging UVA and UVB rays.

While this is especially important during summer months, you should use a lip balm with SPF all year, even during the winter because harmful UVB rays are strong.

4.     Before a Presentation

Public speaking is stress trigger for many people.

If you have any experience with public speaking, it’s likely that you have experienced dry mouth at least once before a presentation. 

Dry mouth is a natural part of the body's “fight-or-flight” survival response to stressful situations. The lack of saliva results in dry, dehydrated lips, which can lead to severe discomfort.

Before you start presenting, use an ultra-hydrating lip balm to create a hydrating shield on your lips.  

5.     On An Airplane

Do you notice how dry your skin feels after a flight? You're not alone.

The humidity when your flying inside an airplane is kept at around 20% - which is literally drier than the Sahara desert.

Apply a hydrating lip balm before, during and after your flight to protect and moisturize your lips and keep them from getting chapped!

Lip balm is a small item that can make a big difference in your travel experience.

6.     Before & After Dental Appointments

Dental cleanings and procedures can be hard on your lips, leaving them dry, cracked, and painful.

Applying a hydrating lip balm before and after dental appointments will soothe and moisturize lips that were stretched and tugged by the dentist or hygienist.

7.     Before Going on a Run

Runners very often experience dry lips while running, especially on longer runs.  The body can become dehydrated while running, which is quickly felt in the lips as they dry out and become chapped.

Many runners also breathe with their mouths open. This inhale and exhale of air across the lips can cause them to dry out, especially if they are left unprotected.

8.     Right Before Bed & In The Morning

Using a lip balm before bed is a great way to keep your lips moisturized overnight. Just apply it right before you go to sleep.

You should also apply it when you wake up in the morning and throughout the day if your lips feel dry or chapped.

 

Take the Next Step!

Looking for top brands and high-quality, customizable lip balms?

Visit Love Balms online or contact us for customer service and customization requests.

 

 

References

“Advantages of Lip Balm | What You Need to Know | All Good.” All Good Products, 27 May 2021, allgoodproducts.com/what-is-lip-balm/.

“Dry Mouth - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/symptoms-causes/syc-20356048.

“Sun Protection - the Skin Cancer Foundation.” The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2018, www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/.

“This Device Wants to Make Your Airplane Air Less Dry.” Popular Science, 2 Aug. 2016, www.popsci.com/vortex-shooting-device-to-alleviate-dryness-while-flying. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.