Skin Care Myths: Chapstick Addictionby Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 21 Jul 2008 07:00 PM Have you heard people say that Chapstick and other lip balms are addictive? Pay attention to the folks who use those products, and you might see the products getting a lot of use. But are lip balms really addictive? No! One popular theory is that lip balms include ingredients that make your lips dry out faster -- so you have to reapply frequently throughout the day and restock more often. But it's just not true. Then why do some folks reach for the lip balm over and over throughout the day? (I'll confess -- I'm never far from a tube of Chapstick. I keep one in my purse, one at my bedside, and one in the car.)
If your lips are extra dry and your favorite lip balm isn't cutting it, try this: apply a layer of cortisone cream to your lips followed by a layer of Vaseline. Do that for a week to give your kisser a chance to heal and soak up some moisture. When you're ready to go back to lip balm, look for ingredients like petrolatum, glycerin, or mineral oil. Those are things that won't rub off easily (meaning you will have a harder time licking them off) and won't irritate lips. Oh and don't forget that lip balm -- just like any makeup or beauty product -- can expire. Over time, ingredients can break down, leaving your favorite product less effective. Replace any skin care item after a year -- that's about how long preservatives can last before starting to break down. Learn more about Aimee Amodio  Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover... Relevanthealth tags User Comments  deedee1231 (4030) 21 Jul 2008 07:50 PMI LOVE lip balm!!! I am a total addict, the fact that it is non addictive not withstanding LOL. I used to have a Bonne Bell Lip Smackers fascination and I had every flavor. Every time I saw a new one I would buy it. My favorite was Dr. Pepper, haha. Now I use the Aquafina lip balm or soft lips but I still have at least a dozen tubes at any given time.  Aimee Amodio |
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