We all know people who always have a tube of lip balm on them.
For some, it’s more than just convenient relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of chapped lips.
It’s an outright addiction, and it can lead to a dependency that’s incredibly hard to break.
(Strawberry ChapStick, anyone?)
Diane Madfes, MD, says added fragrances present some of the biggest problems to regular users.
Some, particularly cinnamon-based additives, can irritate already dry and sore lips.
Surprisingly, she also targets menthol as one of the other big problems.
Vitamin E can be another deceptive ingredient, too.
Like menthol, we associate vitamin E with health and healing.
Take a look atthe ingredient liston ChapStick, one of the most well-know brands of lip balm.
What’s in a tube of ChapStick?
Camphor, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, and oleyl alcohol.
The skin that covers your lips isparticularly thin and delicate.
How addictive is it?
If you’re not one of these people, you might know someone who is.
Some might even joke about being addicted.
For others, it can be a serious matter.
The truth is, it’s not actually, physically addictive.
OCD Action director Joel Rose says it’s the act of putting on lip balm that’s actually addictive.
It can become a mild form of OCD and most of the time, it’s pretty harmless.
When it interferes with everyday life
According toDr.
Daniel E. Mattila, M.
Div., LCSW-R, the problem can definitely get to the point where it interferes with daily functioning.
Refinery 29took a look at one woman’s lip balm addiction.
Hers is an extreme case, but Mattila says it can be an absolutely real problem.
But scouring any drug store shelf for a pure, commercially produced product is a challenge and a half.
The Nourished Lifehas this great recipe for making an incredibly flexible base for an all-natural, beeswax-based lip balm.
So, give that store-bought lip balm a miss!
Now, you know.
There are a few other little tips and tricks you might want to try, too.Dr.
Using a humidifier will also help your skin stay soft, especially during the winter months.
