Lip Balms: What are the Most Effective Ingredients for Dry Lips?

During the winter months, you’ve probably found yourself needing to moisturise your lips to stop them from getting dry, chapped and flaky. The skin on your lips is much thinner, and therefore more sensitive than other parts of your body. That means that it doesn’t offer much protection against the onslaught of dry, cold air and wind, causing them to become sore, itchy, tender, blistered, and sometimes angular cheilitis (those sore red patches in the corner of your mouth). 

We all know the importance of a good lip balm. Their treatments keep your lips hydrated, soft and healthy in winter or summer. But did you know that some lip balms don’t provide long-lasting hydration, so you’ll have to reapply all the time? Some, even worse, can lead to allergic reactions, leaving your lips drier, more chapped and inflamed

So, with all these options available on the market, how do we find the right lip balm that gives your lips the best care? Always make sure you check its ingredient list before purchasing a new lip balm product. This article will introduce some of the best ingredients in lip balms and explain why they are the most effective for protecting against dehydration, windburn or sunburn. When you spot these familiar names, you know your lips are in good hands.

What ingredients should I look out for?

Ingredient labels can be very tricky to read, and different brands may address the same ingredients under various names. To make things easier, keep in mind that ingredients are listed from highest to lowest concentration, so you’ll only need to focus on the first few things listed. You don’t need a lot of ingredients in lip balm.  Look out for the ones that work. For example, below are some of the most effective ingredients in a lip balm.

1. Beeswax

One of the most common compounds in a lip balm formula is beeswax, a natural substance produced by honeybees. This unique material has been used by human since the ancient Egyptian times for its ability to seal. In today’s cosmetics industry, beeswax is often used as a skin softener that helps retain moisture. Its texture and stability also assists the lip balm to maintain its form. Beeswax is also very safe for even the most sensitive lips for its non-irritating nature.

2. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that has been used in beauty products for over 50 years. Antioxidants like vitamin E work against free radicals. According to dermatologists, free radicals, as a result of exposure to pollution and ultraviolet rays from the sun, are the biggest contributor to signs of aging. Vitamin E also boosts circulation and generates new skin cells, making your lips softer. Similarly, other antioxidants such as Grape Seed Extract are also ideal in lip balms to help with dryness.

3. Shea butter and cocoa butter

Shea and cocoa butter are both fats extracted from shea trees and cocoa beans. As natural moisturisers rich in fatty acids and vitamins, shea and cocoa butter are superior moisturisers that promote skin healing, which benefits cracked or crusty lips. They help protect lips from environmental aggressors such as dry air. Besides, their inflammatory properties are used to calm and soothe irritated lips that may be stinging or burning.

4. Lanolin

Lanolin is a natural waxy substance found on the coats of sheep. The molecular structure of lanolin naturally most closely resembles our skin lipids more than any other ingredient. Its highly emollient properties make it a superb moisturiser for dry lips or a cold core. Studies found that lanolin was able to reduce water loss in the skin by 20% to 30%. It makes the lips supple, smooth, and soft for a long time.

Tough Lips Intensive Lip Balm

Our DU’IT Tough Lips is the best intensive lip balm formulated with a mixture of the best ingredients for dry lips – beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, natural vitamin E and lanolin. It is enriched with grape seed extract, a powerful antioxidant that rejuvenates dry, swollen lips, boosts the skin’s elasticity and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. With specially added UREA, a natural moisturizing factor (NMF), Tough Lips softens chapped lips and prevents moisture loss for long-lasting hydration. Tough Lips intensive lip balm is one of the best Australian made lip balms. It instantly repairs dry, chapped lips without causing irritation to our delicate lips, leaving them full of gloss and shine.

‘I’ve just received your new lip balm in the mail yesterday. I’m very happy with it so far. Might even say it’s the best lip balm I’ve used so far! I’ve suffered from very dry lips for years. I wake up every morning with peeling lips, until this morning. After going to bed with your Tough Lips lip balm on, I woke up with no peeling or cracked lips! This lip balm is brilliant! It’s added to my permanent list of beauty products I must always have.’ – Sarah Stokeld.

To find out more about our Tough Lips intensive lip balm and other Australian made functional skincare products, visit our e-shop today.