Kiss Day 2024: Why lip balms are a skincare must-have according to dermatologists

The potential of lip balms remains largely unknown to many Some consider those applying lip balm pretentious or lsquoextrarsquo The judgements are far worse for men who keep this little lip tool in their pocket For those who call lip balm unnecessary it is time to reconsider what they miss out onOn Kiss Day 2024 Midday Online spoke to experts who highlight how lip balms work on the lips and the multiple benefits they offerldquoOnce a simple necessity lip balm has become a skincare musthave Recognition of its importance emerged in the mid20th century with products like ChapStick debuting in the 1880s In the 1960s and 1970s skincare enthusiasts began appreciating its transformative benefits as beauty routines expanded Lips often overlooked demanded attention shifting lip balm from an extra to a vital skincare componentrdquo says Dr Dinyar Workingboxwalla skin guru cofounder of Beauty by BiEInterestingly Dr Priya Puja consulting dermatologist at Kaya Skin Clinic says ldquoUsage of lip balms as part of skincare routine is not a recent trend The usage dates back to 40 BC during the ancient Egyptian era when natural oils animal fat or beeswax were used to treat dry and chapped lips Notably the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra also used lipprotecting agents which in todayrsquos world is available as lip balmrdquoldquoLip balms are like superheroes for your lips armed with extra goodies like oils and vitamins Theyre tailormade for delicate lip skinrdquo adds Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta aesthetic physician and founder of ISAAC Luxe International Skin and AntiAging CentreWhat goes into making lip balmsIn the world of skincare lip balms are crucial to providing effective and lasting moisture for our delicate lipsGupta tells us that lip balms are crafted with a blend of nourishing ingredients like beeswax shea butter coconut oil and vitamin E This concoction works wonders moisturising soothing and creating a protective layer on your lipsWorkingboxwalla says ldquoI believe its essential to understand the key ingredients that make lip balms so beneficial Typically lip balms consist of a combination of emollients occlusives and humectantsrdquo1 Emollients such as shea butter and cocoa butter play a vital role in softening and smoothing the lips These natural fats create a protective layer preventing moisture loss and keeping the lips supple2 Occlusives like beeswax candelilla wax or petrolatum act as a barrier on the lips sealing in moisture and shielding them from external elements This helps in preventing chapping and maintaining hydration levels3 Humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract and retain moisture ensuring that your lips stay moisturised throughout the day These ingredients work synergistically to combat dryness and promote overall lip health4 Vitamin E an antioxidant powerhouse that combats free radical damage keeps the lips healthy and resilient5SPF or sun protection factor is crucial especially for lips Look for lip balms with SPF 15 or higher particularly if you spend time outdoors6Flavour and fragrance make lip balms more appealing Choose natural options if you have sensitive skin as synthetic fragrances can sometimes irritateHow do lip balms help lips stay healthyLip balm functions as a multifaceted solution designed to address the unique needs of the delicate skin on our lips They work on retaining moisture for the lips Emollients such as shea butter and cocoa butter soften and smoothen the lips while humectants like glycerin attract and retain moisture preventing dehydrationFurther lip balms work as a protective barrier Occlusive agents like beeswax or petrolatum form a protective barrier on the lips that locks in moisture shielding the lips from harsh environmental factors that cause dryness and chappingBesides this using lip balms also helps prevent water loss Lip balms help to maintain the natural moisture balance of the lips This is crucial in preventing dryness and maintaining optimal lip healthFurther a lip balm also helps in softening and smoothening lip texture promoting a more comfortable feel ldquoSome lip balms are enriched with vitamins and antioxidants providing additional nourishment and supporting the repair of damaged skin on the lips Additionally lip balms come in various formulations including tinted options and those with different flavours This versatility allows users to personalise their lip care routine according to preferences and stylerdquo adds WorkingboxwallaLip balms can ideally be applied every two to three hours or depending on the dryness of the lips For deeper care experts also advise applying a lipcare product before bed to ensure overnight protection and hydrationWhich is better ndash lip balms or petroleum jelly Although the sole purpose of both these lip products is to keep the lips soft and moist Gupta states that when it comes to the optimal health of onersquos lips lip balms often steal the show She says ldquoWhile both have their own merits to offer a lip balm ensures more comprehensive and personalised carerdquoPuja elucidates ldquoPetroleum jelly is one of the oldest formulations used for lip protection It is an occlusive agent which can form a layer on the skin preventing any loss of water from the skin and hence seals the moisture in the lips It has the benefits of easy availability affordability and good efficacy but cannot restore moisture if it is already lost which is the case in dry and chapped lipsrdquoldquoLip balms on the other handrdquo she adds ldquocontain humectants which are agents that can draw water from the air into the lips and hence possess the capability to restore the moisture in dry lips Lip balms can also have a combination of humectants and mild occlusive agents which makes them a better choice to treat dry and chapped lips Another reason to choose a lip balm over petroleum jelly is the increasing acceptance of vegan products or products based on nonanimal origin over those of animal originrdquoHow to pick the right stick for yourself in a heavily saturated marketThere is no one type of lip balm available in the market that is made for all Just like other cosmetic products a lip balm too has multiple variations ndash tinted flavoured vegan medicated masks and moreWith so many options available brands always trap us in a pickle leaving us uncertain of which product to opt forPuja attempts to clearly distinguish key types of lipcare productsLip oil hydrators These are lighter versions of lip balms and contain natural oils that ensure hydration to the lips A lip oil hydrator makes lips look plumper and due to lighter texture can have deeper skin penetration and hence provide good healingLip sleeping mask Masks can be worn over longer hours providing prolonged contact with the skin and offering an opportunity for healing chapped or cracked lips A lip sleeping mask can be used if lips are chapped and extremely dryLip plumper The new entrants in the lip care category are lip plumpers These contain humectants like hyaluronic acid which have the property of retaining moisture and hence make the lips look plumper Other ingredients used are oils which due to the property of light reflection make the lip look shiny and hence plump Some ingredients like caffeine cinnamon oil and peppermint oil due to their irritant property leads to increased blood flow to the skin and hence cause them to look plumperCommenting on the flavours and tintinfused lip balms Workingboxwalla says ldquoIn my opinion the introduction of flavoured and tinted lip balms in the realm of lip care has indeed added an element of personalization and fun to the routinerdquoFlavoured lip balms provide a pleasant experience during application The aromatic essence can elevate the users mood making lip care a satisfying ritual Workingboxwalla states ldquoThe addition of flavours does not compromise the efficacy of the lip balm Quality formulations maintain their primary function of moisturising and protecting the lips while incorporating a delightful touchrdquoSimilarly tintinfused balms offer a subtle colour enhancing the natural appearance of the lips This can be particularly appealing for those who prefer a light everyday makeup lookTinted lip balms also provide the usual benefits of hydration and protection This dualpurpose aspect makes them a versatile addition to ones beauty arsenalThis said ldquoIt is crucial to scrutinise the ingredient list of flavoured and tinted lip balms Opting for formulations that prioritise natural and skinfriendly ingredients ensures that the lip balm continues to contribute positively to lip health The choice to use flavoured or tinted lip balms ultimately depends on individual preferences Those who enjoy the added sensory experience and aesthetic appeal may find these variations more enjoyablerdquo adds WorkingboxwallaWhy you MUST buy lip balms with SPFLips unlike any other part of the skin lips have a thin layer making them more susceptible to sun damage This in worst cases increases the risk of cancer as wellldquoLips are vulnerable to UV damage and SPF in lip balms acts as a shield warding off sunburn and premature ageing Hence buying a lip balm which has SPF is a wise choice to makerdquo says GuptaShe adds that people who spend maximum time outside under the sun should opt for a lip balm with SPF protectionHow to make lip balms at homeThere are a myriad of natural lip balm recipes that can be easily prepared in the comfort of your home and freedom of personal preferences Homemade lip balms allow you to take charge and create an exclusive formula catering to your needsWorkingboxwalla shares a few recipes you can try at homeDIY mint and chocolate lip balm recipeIngredientsCocoa powder 1 tspCoconut oil 2 tbspWhite beeswax pellets 2 tspPeppermint oil 45 dropsMethod1 Melt the beeswax pellets in a boiler on a stove2 Once they have melted mix cocoa powder and a few drops of peppermint oil and stir well3 Allow the heat to evaporate once cool transfer the concoction to a jar4 Once it has cooled completely put it in a refrigerator and allow it to hardenDIY strawberry lip balmIngredientsShea butter 1 tbspCoconut oil 2 tbspOrange essential oil 23 dropsBeeswax 1 tbspMethod1 Put the shea butter and beeswax in a cup and melt it on a low flame 2 Mix the coconut oil to the mix and allow the heat to evaporate3 Once the former mixture has melted add in some drops of orange essential oil4 Stir the concoction well and transfer it to a jar5 Allow it to cool for some time Your berrylicious strawberry lip balm is readyDIY Vaseline lip balmIngredients1 Vaseline or any petroleum jelly 1 12 tbsp2 Beetroot juice 12 tbsp3 Honey 12 tbspMethod1 Mix a little bit of Vaseline and honey in a container2 Add beetroot juice to the mix Donrsquot stir the ingredients together3 Put the container in the microwave for about thirty seconds4 After removing it from the microwave stir it together transfer it into a tin and let it set for thirty minutes5 After it cools down completely refrigerate it and use when required