Lip balm, as a must-have in people's daily lives, has a history dating back thousands of years. The use of beeswax and oil to protect and nourish the lips has been documented since ancient Egypt. Over time, the process and ingredients of lip balm have evolved, from the original natural ingredients to modern chemical synthetic ingredients, lip balm has become an integral part of modern beauty and skincare. This article helps readers better understand the complexity and versatility of this everyday item by introducing the different types, ingredients, features, and benefits of lip balm, as well as the factors to consider when choosing a lip balm.
Different kinds of lip balm
Moisturizing lip balm
Known for their excellent moisturizing properties, these products often contain paraffin, beeswax or natural oils such as olive oil and coconut oil, which form a protective layer on the surface of the lips when applied, locking in moisture and preventing dryness.
Restorative lip balm
These products are often enriched with vitamin E and shea butter to moisturize and repair the lip skin, especially for chapped or damaged lips.
Sunscreen lip balm
These products often contain chemical or physical sunscreens, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, that protect the lips from UV rays.
Colored lip balm
While providing essential hydration and repairing properties, these products also add pigment to bring a subtle color to the lips, making them suitable for consumers looking for a natural makeup look.
Special function lip balm
These products mainly contain functional ingredients such as anti-aging ingredients (collagen and hyaluronic acid), or ingredients designed for specific concerns such as lip fullness.
Common lip balm ingredients
Paraffin wax and beeswax
The most commonly used base ingredient in lip balms forms a protective film on the surface of the lips to reduce water evaporation.
Natural oils
Such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, etc., can not only play a moisturizing role, but also contain essential fatty acids and vitamins, which are beneficial to the skin.
vitamin E
A powerful antioxidant that helps repair damaged skin cells and reduces the appearance of chapped lips.
Sunscreen ingredients
Such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to protect the lips from UV rays.
In recent years, with the development of science and technology, more and more innovative ingredients have been applied to lip balms, such as hyaluronic acid and myristic acid, which are widely used for their excellent moisturizing and repairing abilities. In addition, as consumers become more health-conscious, many brands are turning to natural ingredients such as honey, cocoa butter, and tea tree oil, which are gentler on the skin and more environmentally friendly.
Choose and use lip balm
Precautions
When choosing the right lip balm, there are a few key factors to consider.
Identify lip needs
Lip condition Carefully assess the condition of your lips, if your lips are often dry or flaky, you may want to choose a lip balm that focuses more on moisturizing and repairing functions, and if your lips are prone to inflammation or cracking, you should choose a lip balm with soothing and healing ingredients.
Daily Habits If you are constantly outdoors, you need to choose a lip balm with SPF to prevent UV damage.
Component Analysis
Moisturizing ingredients Look for lip balms that are rich in moisturizing ingredients, such as vitamin E, olive oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, which effectively lock in moisture and keep lips soft.
Avoid harmful ingredients Be aware of harmful ingredients that may be contained in lip balm, such as mineral oil, parabens, and artificial fragrances, which may cause skin sensitivity or harm human health.
Special ingredient requirements Combined with your own skin type, such as allergic skin, it is recommended to choose fragrance-free and allergenic products.
Use caution
Lip balm is not a panacea, it can only have the effect of aiding improvement, and it is not recommended to use it too often, otherwise it may cause the opposite effect and exacerbate symptoms such as dry lips.
At the same time, it is necessary to develop good lip care habits, drink more water, consume more fresh vegetables and fruits, and regularly supplement B vitamins and C vitamins to help improve dry lips. In addition, bad habits that damage the lip skin should be changed, such as frequent licking of the lips, excessive intake of spicy, irritating or acidic foods, etc., so as not to damage the lip skin barrier and accelerate the loss of lip moisture.
Source: China Food and Drug Network