We know when we need it. The temperatures change drastically- leaving us dehydrated and exposed to the elements that damage our skin and lips. They dry, chap, crack, and split, leaving us in pain and despair seeking the first aid of our trusty lip balm. We know it works for us because we feel better after application and typically our lips are resilient and heal quite quickly. Some of us know all about our lip balm of choice, others of us try and try to find one that doesn’t chap our lips or make us overuse it- buying countless brands and types.

Lip balm and lip coloring goes back thousands of years; the earliest recorded use of cosmetics and lip coloring is said to be from the ancient Egyptians. Various historical records indicate that a lip balm or paste was made using a base (typically ants) with added crushed carmine beetles (which are still used for coloring everything from cosmetics to food today) which gave the application as nice deep crimson pigmentation. Also, an herb known as Balm of Gilead or White poplar is sited in the bible. This herb is utilized for everything for cough syrup to a rubbing ointment for muscular aches and pains and contains salicylic acid, an ingredient that is still commonly used today in “medicated” lip balms (similar to willow bark (ancestor to present day aspirin)). Balms and salves have been used throughout time as prevention, protecting agents and for sealing wounds and undoubtedly made their way onto chapped lips.

There are literally thousands of choices on the market to choose; so let’s look at some of the labeling and ingredients and what it all means:

Skin Protectant- most lip balms contain one or more ingredients to protect your lips; such as petroleum or dimethicone; where as more “natural” or organic lip balms will be petroleum-free and contain a beeswax or other natural protecting ingredient.

Medicated- typically medicated lip balms contain ingredients that are analgesics (pain relieving) as well as; ingredients that protect. Camphor, menthol and phenol are common analgesics found in medicated lip balms. These ingredients elicit a cooling sensation, exfoliate and kill germs to help sooth and alleviate pain associated with chafed, chapped, cracked lips, fever blisters and cold sores.

Natural- Unfortunately because there are not any FDA guidelines or regulations on the word natural, you have to be careful what you are buying. Unlike food products or other cosmetics, this doesn’t seem to be too much of a problem in lip balms and most of the time indicates that the product is petroleum-free and made with natural (not synthetic) materials. But always be sure to read the label.

Organic- These products contain the USDA Organic Seal. This label is regulated by the USDA and indicates that a product must contain least 95–99% organic ingredients (by weight) and the additional ingredients have been approved by the NOP because they are not available organically.

So, do you NEED it, should you use it and which one? Lip Balm use is an individual preference. I personally need it year round as a protectant for my lips from; the sun, wind, dry climate and every other element I encounter outdoors—but we’re all different. And as far as recommendations: all our needs and preferences are unique; while one person may love the tingling and feeling of menthol and the mint oils, it may cause someone else to have excessively dry lips. And though some may love a Shea butter lip balm, it could cause an allergic reaction in others. Best advice is– find one that works for you. Look for one that is natural or organic if you prefer a chemical-free approach, one with sunscreen or element protection if you need it or medicated for cold sores and fever blisters- there are so many available for virtually every “lip” problem. If one doesn’t work look at the ingredients and try something different.