Products
Lip balms are available in numerous variants from many suppliers in retail and specialty stores. The best-known brand in German-speaking countries is Labello. Labello is also used as a synonym for the general term lip pomade. Pomade (with an m) derives from, French for ointment. Lip pomades can also be homemade, see Homemade lip pomade.
Ingredients
Lip pomades are stick-shaped preparations for external use with a solid consistency that begin to melt on contact with the lips. They are usually secured in a plastic holder called a lip balm tube, from which they can be twisted out when needed. The stick is closed and protected with an elongated plug cap. The firm consistency is achieved by adding waxes to the base compound. Typical ingredients include beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, jojoba wax or synthetic waxes. In the past, spermaceti was often added. Petroleum products such as microcrystalline wax and petrolatum are also used. Other possible ingredients include, for example (selection):
- Fats such as cocoa butter and shea butter.
- Fatty oils such as almond oil, castor oil and sunflower oil
- Other waxes: lanolin, wool wax
- Fatty acids
- Vegetable balms such as Peru balsam, plant extracts and ingredients such as bisabolol or levomenol.
- Antioxidants
- Vitamins such as dexpanthenol and vitamin E
- UV filters
- Propolis, honey
- Preservative
- Dyes
- Fragrances and flavorings such as vanilla, limonene, citronellol, geraniol, citral and linalool.
- Sweetener
- Essential oils
Effects
Lip balms nourish and nourish the lips, making them fine and supple, restoring moisture and lipids and preventing cracks, dry skin, inflammation and irritation.
Fields of application
- For the prevention and treatment of dry, rough and chapped lips, especially in the cold season, dry air, wind and strong sunlight.
- As a sunscreen for the lips (with UV filter), as a lip protector.
- To prevent cold sores (with UV filter).
- As a cosmetic to beautify the lips.
Dosage
According to the instructions for use. The pens are used several times a day and as needed. The means can be applied directly or with a clean finger.
Contraindications
Lip balms are contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity.
Adverse effects
Lip balms relatively often contain allergenic substances, such as plant extracts of composite flowers or Peru balsam. They can lead to hypersensitivity reactions, which manifest as burning, redness, irritation or scaling. Other substances of concern may be present, such as dyes and preservatives like parabens. From our point of view, lip balms from natural cosmetics should be preferred, as they contain fewer critical ingredients. Some users criticize that the products dry out the lips even more or make them dependent. The manufacturers contradict these experiences.
