Ask the Expert: Can Your Lips Get Addicted to Lip Balm?

Balms, balms, crayons—whatever texture you prefer, lip conditioner tends to be very popular with women. However, there have been rumors lately that our lips are getting addicted to the constant use of these (supposedly) moisturizing products. Naturally, we were skeptical and turned to Dr. A.S. Rebecca Cousin, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatological Laser Surgery, to get the facts. Below we answer the burning question, can your lips really become addicted to lip balm?

It turns out, many of our favorite lip balms, ointments and sticks mask the problem of dry lips. “Many lip balms don’t actually hydrate lips,” says Kazin, “they just hydrate the lips. feel hydrated." She went on to describe how many products contain oils that just sit on the skin without actually moisturizing the lips at all. So we apply and reapply - and reapply - in an endless cycle of simply covering dryness, instead of really addressing it with real moisturizing. This, in turn, gives us the impression that our lips have become addicted to the constant application of lip balm. Kazin advises to opt for lip conditioners containing moisturizing ingredients which are not too greasy. Some of our favorites at Skincare.com include: 

Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm

This creamy lip balm helps soothe and hydrate chapped lips with a hydrating blend of ingredients including squalene, a natural hydrating plant lipid, and the brand's signature ingredient, vitamin E, aloe vera and wheat germ oil.

Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm, $ 7

Maybelline Baby Lips

This lightweight, silky and smooth lip balm glides on to your lips and contains a combination of moisturizing ingredients including moisturizing ingredients. Shea Butter

Maybelline Baby Lips, $3.99 (price may vary)

Decleor Intense Nutrition Luxuriant Nourishing Balm

Thanks to the multi-sensory texture of the oil in the balm, this lip balm deeply moisturizes dry, chapped lips. The composition of the balm includes nourishing essential oil of Egyptian marjoram, macadamia oil and shea butter.

Decleor Intense Nutrition Luxuriant Nourishing Balm, $ 18

Lancôme Absolue Precious Cells Nourishing Lip Balm

Combining moisturizing acacia honey and rosehip seed oil, this balm helps hydrate dry lips and lock in moisture. The non-sticky ointment glides on and melts immediately. 

Lancôme Absolue Precious Cells Nourishing Lip Balm, $ 50