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Health

How do I Choose the Best Lip Balm?

By B. Miller
Updated May 17, 2024
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There are many different types of lip balm available to treat and condition the lips. To choose the best lip balm, begin by considering whether you need medicated lip balm or not. This lip balm is designed to heal cold sores and especially chapped lips, but it may not be necessary if you just want to condition your lips or add a bit of shine. Most people have more than one lip balm for different purposes, and can then just choose the best lip balm when they need it. Lip balm may be applied as often as needed for soft lips.

To choose the best lip balm, also consider whether or not you want any color on the lips. Tinted lip balms or lip glosses with color or shimmer ingredients can look very pretty, and can be a great way to finish off the look of makeup over the whole face. They do not tend to last as long as lipstick, but they go on lighter and usually give a more natural looking appearance. There are many different shades of tinted lip balm available; many women wear them on top of a matte lipstick as well, to give the color a little additional shine.

There are many versions of non-tinted lip balm as well, which may just add a small shine to the lips; some are designed for men, and will not add shine at all. The best lip balm for you might be one that contains sunscreen, if you will be spending time outside. Because lip balm often makes the lips shiny, it can actually increase the risk of sunburns on the lips, so it is important to use sunblock. Flavored lip balms for kids are also popular; these may be flavored like candy or soda, for example.

Some people consider the best lip balm to be a simple version that just conditions and helps to heal chapped lips. These may contain softening ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, or aloe, often in a mineral oil or beeswax base. Lip balms made with all-natural, organic ingredients are popular as well; for those people with allergies or product sensitivities, hypoallergenic lip balm is often the best lip balm choice. Lip balm is very inexpensive and often sold in multi-packs, so many people purchase a number of different lip balms and keep them in different locations, such as in the car, in a purse or bag, and in the bathroom, for example.

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Discussion Comments

By serenesurface — On Sep 26, 2013

When it comes to lip balms, I care about ingredients too but not as much as I care about the scent. I love lip balms with sweet, dessert-like scents. My favorite scents are strawberry, chocolate and lemon.

By candyquilt — On Sep 26, 2013

@burcinc-- Have you tried a medicated lip balm? Those have mineral oil but work well for chapped lips because they also relieve pain.

I use a medicated lip balm most of the time. I actually keep one on my key-chain all the time. I also like lip balms with SPF. I heard that the skin on our lips are very thin and can get blemishes from sunlight. So I always use an SPF lip balm in the spring and summer.

By burcinc — On Sep 25, 2013

I've tried many lip balms over the years and I've decided that the best moisturizing lip balms are ones with natural ingredients. Lip balms with mineral oil are cheaper but they don't moisturize very well.

I love lip balms with beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter. They make my lips so soft and beautiful. I never get chapped lips when I use a good lip balm during cold weather.

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