What Is Lip Balm and Is It Better Than Chapstick?

Struggling with dry, chapped lips? Tired of flaky patches of skin and cracks getting in the way of your favorite lip look? We've all been there! A dehydrated pout is never fun and can impact your appearance and confidence.

When you start to feel your lips drying out or notice cracks and bleeding, you probably go straight for your everyday lip balm or ChapStick, must-have skincare essentials everyone should carry while on the go. These products protect the fragile skin on your lips and provide instant relief to maintain a soft, supple pout throughout the day.

However, when it comes to lip products, there's more than what meets the eye. We're here to walk you through the difference between lip balm vs. ChapStick and discuss nutrients you need and ingredients you don't. 

Let's dive in:

What is Lip Balm vs. Chapstick?

This might surprise you, but ChapStick is just the name of a company that makes lip balm, not a type of product. Founded in the 1880s, the brand remains a go-to affordable lip balm. It's no wonder many people refer to their lip care products as ChapStick, even if they use a different brand. 

Over the years, the ChapStick brand has tweaked and changed its formula to create a more nutrient-rich experience. However, while ChapStick and lip balm are essentially the same, the formulas may vary from product to product.

So, what is lip balm? 

This lip care product hydrates and protects lips with a nutrient-rich formula daily that prevents dryness, bleeding, cracking, and irritation. Keeping your lips hydrated during the warmer or colder months is especially important since drastic environmental changes can cause dryness and dehydration. 

Various lip moisturizers are on the market, including those designed to plump or tint your lips. When shopping for a lip moisturizer, it's best to consider your unique needs and find a formula that serves you.

What to Look for in Lip Balm

This is arguably the most used product in your skincare routine. You can always count on your lip care products to keep your lips soft and supple throughout the day. When looking for a go-to in your purse or bag, you'll want to pay close attention to the ingredients. Here are three to look for:

Vitamin E is a must-have. With lip protection, vitamin E is the ingredient to look for, especially if you struggle with dry, chapped lips. This ultra-hydrating ingredient supports barrier function and optimizes hydration levels. It's also known for its anti-aging benefits.

Emollients are ultra-hydrating ingredients designed to protect, restore, and hydrate. These are the perfect ingredients to reduce the appearance of flaky skin or dryness and include shea butter, jojoba oil, honey, avocado oil, or aloe vera. 

While there aren't any pores on your lips, the skin surrounding your lips contains pores, so you don't want a lip moisturizer with comedogenic ingredients. Non-comedogenic ingredients don't clog pores, so you won't need to worry about your moisturizing lip balm causing tiny blackheads around your lips. 

If you struggle with ongoing irritation, look for calming and soothing ingredients, like bisabolol, which derives from chamomile plants. Lip care products often include bisabolol due to its anti-inflammatory and calming effects on the skin. 

Benefits of Lip Balms

If you aren't incorporating a lip moisturizer into your daily routine, you're putting your lips at risk. The skin on your lips is delicate and fragile and requires additional protection throughout the day. Without a lip balm, you expose your lips to environmental stressors, UVB rays, and extreme weather conditions every time you go outside. 

With a moisturizing lip balm by your side, you can look forward to:

Yes, the skin on your lips can get sunburned, too. Most lip moisturizers also have SPF added into the formula, protecting your lips from harmful UV rays exposure throughout the day. 

No one likes when their lips crack or have flaky patches of skin. With a nutrient-rich lip moisturizer, you can rehydrate and plump your lips, protecting them from imperfections and preventing more damage from forming. 

Think of your lip care product as a protective layer designed to protect, soothe, and reduce your risk of chapped lips. A lip moisturizer is important to carry in your purse or bag during warm summers and cold winters since these dramatic weather changes can make your lips more prone to dryness and damage. 

How Often Should You Apply Lip Balm?

How often you apply your lip moisturizer depends on your preferences, environmental factors, and the changes in the weather. 

For example, you may apply lip balm more frequently during winter or summer as low humidity, windy conditions, or sun exposure can dehydrate your lips quicker than usual.

A moisturizing lip balm is a must-have you should always have in your purse or bag. You should re-apply at least once or twice throughout the day whenever your lips feel dry, or they need a quick pick-me-up.

Ingredients to Avoid 

Not all lip balms are created equal.  Some may feel hydrating when you apply them but don't have ingredients that actually benefit your lips. When looking for a new lip balm to add to your routine, here are a few ingredients you'll want to avoid.

Yes, flavors may taste good in theory, but they aren't always safe to use and don't have any added benefits for your lips. The FDA allows brands to label these add-ins as "flavor" and "fragrance," meaning you don't know what ingredients to create the flavor or fragrance. 

Look for moisturizing lip balms without flavor or fragrance to avoid skin irritation or allergic reactions. While they may not taste as good, they will be better for you in the long run. 

Parabens are preservatives added to beauty care products to extend their shelf life. These additives are well-known hormone disruptors and can interfere with the estrogen or testosterone in your body. Many popular lip care brands, including ChapStick, have used parabens in their formulas, so always read the ingredient label when looking for a viable option to add to your routine. 

Petroleum may make your lips feel soft and supple, but it isn’t as beneficial for your lips as you may think. The problem with petroleum is that it doesn't let your skin breathe. 

Instead, it works as a barrier on your lips, locking in existing moisture but not hydrating the skin. Petroleum also doesn't have any nutrients your lips can benefit from and can irritate individuals struggling with skin sensitivities. 

Ever purchased a lip balm that leaves your lips with a tingly sensation? It likely contains menthol. While small doses of menthol aren't harmful, they can dry out your skin and disrupt your lip's moisture barrier. Menthol can also irritate open wounds, so if your lips are cracked or bleeding, you'll want to steer clear of this ingredient.

Salicylic acid is a common skincare ingredient found in exfoliants and toners. While it may be beneficial to use on your body and the skin on your face, it's considered too harsh of an ingredient for the fragile skin on your lips. 

If you have dry, flaky skin on your lips and you want to exfoliate, consider using a sugar scrub. This natural exfoliant won't irritate the skin and will leave a soft, supple finish.

A High-End, Luxury Lip Balm Formulated For Your Needs 

So, is lip balm better than Chapstick? In some ways, yes, it is. In today’s world, there are better formulas out there that your lips can benefit from. Formulas that don’t contain irritants, parabens, or unnecessary flavors. 

At Augustinus Bader, we aimed to set the standard for lip care. Our formula can deliver next-level results and help you maintain a soft, supple pout all year. 

Our lip care product, The Lip Balm, features a non-sticky, innovative formula designed to hydrate, nourish, and plump your lips. This fragrance-free formula contains natural plumping compounds and clean, nourishing skin hydration - including vitamin E and shea butter.  What makes our formula different from the rest is the TFC8® technology, which guides nutrients to your cells and protects the fragile skin on your lips from environmental stressors. 

Shop now to experience the Augustinus Bader difference.