Lip balm

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A tube of ChapStick

Lip balm or lip salve is a form of make-up topically applied to the lips of the mouth to relieve chapped or dry lips, angular cheilitis or stomatitis, and cold sores. Lip gloss is similar in the fact that it is topically applied to the lips of the mouth, but generally has only cosmetic properties. The balm is usually manufactured from beeswax, petroleum jelly, menthol, camphor, scented oils, and various other ingredients. Some manufacturers also add vitamins, alum, salicylic acid, or aspirin. Some lip balms also contain octinoxate, avobenzone, or other sunscreens to minimize sun damage.

The primary purpose of lip balm is to provide an occlusive layer on the lip surface to seal moisture in lips and protect them from external exposure. Dry air, cold temperatures and wind all have a drying effect on skin by drawing moisture away from the body. Lips are particularly vulnerable because the skin is so thin, and thus they are often the first to present signs of dryness. Occlusive materials like waxes and petroleum jelly prevent moisture loss and maintain lip comfort while flavorants, colorants, sunscreens and various medicaments can provide additional, specific benefits.

Lip balm usually comes in tiny containers; either one in which a finger is used to apply it to the lips, or in 'stick' form (similar to lipstick) which is applied directly to the lips.

The first lip balm was actually made out of earwax.^[1] It was functional, but the taste was undesirable. However, its popularity has grown in recent years. A small but growing fan base, committed to the use of all-natural products, touts its use as a superior organic alternative to other varieties of lip balm.

Notable brands

• Aveeno
• Bag Balm
• Blistex
• Burt's Bees
• Carmex
• ChapStick
• Labello
• Lip Smacker
• Merry Hempsters
• Nivea
• Nueva
• Tholene
• Vaseline

Addiction/Dependency Rumor

While some, including Snopes^[2], believe it to be an urban legend, there exists the unsupported theory that some of the chemical ingredients in lip balm promote dependency. Lip balm manufacturers state that all ingredients are listed and approved by the FDA, and often answer the addiction question in their FAQs. The addiction theory holds that lip balms do encourage product dependency, possibly because the exfoliating and cooling actions may thin the lips and encourage lip licking, which may also break down the outer layer of skin on the lips. Some products actually list the lack of dependency as a differentiating product feature.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ "First Lip Balm". New York Times, About.com. 2008. http://beauty.about.com/cs/facialskin/a/lip_care.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-14. 
2. ^ http://www.snopes.com/business/secret/carmex.asp

External links

• Lip Balm entry on snopes.com
• Blistex FAQ
• Carmex FAQ