Unlike the rest of our skin and face our lips do not produce sebum (keeps our skin and hair moisturised). That is why they get chapped and dehydrated, especially in the dry and cold seasons.
Mineral oil or Paraffin (cheap by-products of petroleum) based lip balms draw moisture away from the lips making you lick them, drying them out further. You should try to look for a lip balm that contains shea butter or beeswax which attracts moisture from the air to the lips and conditions them. You might be surprised to hear that famous brands like Carmex, Dior and Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream all contain petroleum based ingredients.
Now you may be thinking "but I can’t live without my Vaseline" – just take a minute to think why you are lip balm addict?
Is it because as soon as it's worn off, your lips are dry again and desperate for more? Or...
Is because it’s your wonder product and it keeps you lips soft all day long and you hardly ever have to reapply?
If you are using the right lip balm you shouldn't have to constantly reapply. So next time you go to buy a lip balm – have a close look at the ingredient list. Don’t we all long for smooth kissable lips?!
Here are some natural balms I love.
Aveda Lip Saver SPF 15 soothing and moisturising botanical balm. With antioxidant rich beeswax, refreshing cinnamon leaf, clove and anise oil. Has sunscreen and antioxidants to protect the lips from UV and other harmful environmental factors. £11.50
Neal’s Yard Organic Shea Nut and Rosehip Lip Formula keeps lips soft and smooth with moisture replenishing organic shea nut butter and hydrating rosehip oil. Rich in moisturising vitamins A and E. £7.05
Eve Taylor Seal & Protect Lip Balm SPF 10 vitamin E rich balm with nourishing shea butter and beeswax and hydrating jojoba seed oil. Soothing and healing calendula and a hint of cooling mint and sweet orange. The natural sunscreen protects against the elements all year round great for sun or wind damaged lips. Great on any sore or chapped skin including nose and hands. Available from Rituals Beauty for £4.79
Could there be something other than the weather making your lips dry?
During my consultations I use Eve Taylor’s System of Analysis* to help detect where the skin problem originated, holistically looking at the physical as well as the emotions to help us understand the cause and effect. It really is fascinating stuff! (By the way beauty therapists don’t diagnose medical conditions - this is a doctor’s role).
* Each part of the body influences the other and if you can find the origin of the cause of a problem you can help restore balance - Eve Taylor OBEUsing this system we know that dry cracked lips can relate to problems with the intestine, so we then look into whether you suffer from things like IBS, constipation or other digestive problems. Little things like changes to your diet and lifestyle can really help.
To order any product from Rituals Beauty, call 0789 4120073 or email hello@ritualsbeauty.co.uk. If you aren't local, I offer a postal service for a little extra cost.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteYou told me at Xmas about this very topic and having had REALLY dry lips in January I avoided traditional lip balms and bought some organic beeswax stuff from the quayside market. It was amazing and worked practically overnight, unlike the v. Expensive eight hour cream if been slathering o
Thanks for the comment. Great to hear!
ReplyDeleteI've had so many people amazed with the results once I've got them to ditch the petroleum based products. Goes to show expensive doesn't necessarily mean the best!
These look great.. love making my own ones though.. x
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, sorry taken a while to reply, this seemed to get stuck in cyber space!
ReplyDeleteI love making my own lip balms too, very satisfying and last for ages x