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Do your lips dry out when in contact with your lip balm? In this case, your beauty habits must be reviewed. Explanations.
In winter, the lips become fragile and end up chapping. Lip balm, based on oils, waxes and sometimes butters, then appears to be the dream solution to nourish them. Except that in reality, this moisturizing stick can make chapped skin worse.
Beware of perfumes and other allergens
Who knew lip balm could be harmful? If in reality this statement needs to be qualified (it all depends on the composition of the stick), the latter can completely aggravate dryness and cracking of the lips.
Indeed, balms sold in supermarkets and/or pharmacies are often full of perfumes and allergens. Result ? They tend to inflame the skin and promote the occurrence of chapping.
Menthol or peppermint should, for example, be avoided (otherwise irritations will get worse) in the same way as cinnamic aldehyde, which can cause a skin allergy.
Same thing also for salicylic acid.
“I recommend avoiding excessive use of balms containing salicylic acid, an exfoliant that removes dead skin.“, Dr. Chang, a board-certified cosmetologist and dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York, tells HuffPost.Too frequent use can cause irritation and dry out lips even more.”she confirms.
In this case, which products should we favor? All balms without chemicals or perfumes, such as those based on organic vegetable oils (argan, olive), beeswax and/or vegetable butters.
Hot water should be avoided
Hot water is not ideal for hydrating the skin. The same goes for the lips, especially irritated ones.
“Although hot water is soothing in the short term, it can dry out lips as it evaporates“, adds Dr. Chang.
Hot water also removes any traces of moisturizing oil.
Slide: Protect your skin from the cold