A humectant is a hygroscopic substance that has a molecular structure with several hydrophilic (water loving) groups, such as hydroxyl groups (OH) and/or amine groups (NH2). However, individuals with oily skin or hair may find this unhelpful. A "holy grail skin saver," according to reviews, this lip balm for chapped lips is ideal if you're dealing with wounded skin because its key ingredients hazelnut oil and jasmine wax have antibacterial properties. However, it's highly advised to apply humectants on a damp or moist . I would wake up the next day with the same cracked, peeling lips. "When you pair the function of a humectant with the moisture-preserving properties of petrolatum, you are left with a highly effective combination of ingredients that both optimizes water content and locks it in where it's needed. This formula contains sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, which is an exceptional ingredient for adding hydration to the skin. Lip balms with humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin make lips worse, says dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD. Her work has appeared in Allure, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Shape, among other publications. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. These substances smooth the skins surface to create a softer texture, filling gaps and cracks that make your skin feel rough. If my lips are at their worst, a nice thick layer of this balm helps to soothe them drastically. What gives? She has been a writer and editor in the beauty and fashion industry for more than six years, sharing her expansive knowledge on skincare, hair care, makeup, fashion, and more. The role of the NMF is to maintain adequate skin hydration. And which one should I choose for my skin type?. Lip Balm. She writes about curls and coils, treatment test drives, and intersectionality. So, its always best to ask your doctor if youre concerned. . This is in comparison to an occlusive-only wax or jelly balm that merely coats the surfaceor shiny and plumping numbers that are there for aesthetic purposes only. The former one is common for oils and waxes and it means that it sits on top of the skin hindering water to . Lipstick. Ingredients: Cupuau butter, mongongo oil | Price: 0.15 ounces (Approx. What Ingredients Work Best for Chapped Lips? However, for environmental reasons, many folks have started choosing not to use them as much as possible. 2 tbsp. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Examples of occlusive ingredients include the following: Since occlusive ingredients form a protective barrier on the surface of skin, they are best for those with very dry skin and conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Learn about skin types and how to identify them here. Using emollients can help to fill in the spaces between dead skin cells where the barrier has been depleted, ultimately leading to soft hydrated skin. Kara Birnbaum / NBC Feb. 20, 2020, 5:28 PM UTC / Updated Nov. 16, 2022, 10:03 PM UTC (Image credit: Ciat) 4. If you find your lip color never glides on smoothly, apply this balm 10 to 15 minutes beforehand to ensure a smooth and even application. Product Description. shea butter; 2 tbsp. With squalane in its name, Biossance creates a non-tacky, moisturizing product that youre sure to love. It slows the evaporation of water from the skin and helps protect against microbes. Look for a lip balm that contains a mixture of humectant and occlusive ingredients not humectants on their own. Occlusives. Infused with skin-protecting petrolatum and squalene, soothing aloe vera, and nourishing vitamin E, this simple balm will leave lips feeling softer in no time. Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. If your dryness isn't responding to a change in lip balm and you still have painful dryness after a week, you might want to see a dermatologist. He likes that its fragrance-free, oxybenzone-free, hypoallergenic, offers broad-spectrum UVA / UVB protection, and more. Humectants include ingredients such as glycerin, urea, AHAs, and hyaluronic acid. It works for so many different skincare concernsfrom dry, chapped lips and cuticles to burns, eczema, and beyond. buy now. (. They can also be found in some medications, and agricultural products.. THIS SITE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADVICE OR TREATMENT FROM A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. In addition, the large molecular size and volatility of silicones also dispels the claim that these ingredients can clog pores and cause acne. Because it stops water from being evaporated and helps . Banana Boat's Sport Ultra Lip Balm has active chemical ingredients of avobenzone, octocrylene and oxybenzone, which Deignan specifically recommended for lip . Its super nourishing due to its blend of plant oils, including: castor seed, grapeseed, avocado, wheat germ, apricot, jojoba, and more. They include: humectants, emollients and occlusives. This rich balm comes in tinted and clear options and packs a seriously hydrating punch courtesy of shea and moringa butter, two occlusives that hydrate and soothe. 2009 - 2023 MindBodyGreen LLC. Beyond seasonal changes, your dry lips may also be a side effect of certain medications, like antihistamines (common if you have allergies) or isotretinoin (used for severe acne), explains Meghan Feely, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist who serves as a clinical instructor at Mount Sinais Department of Dermatology. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Although there are various examples of humectants, some are more commonly used. Is argan oil a humectant? "Licking your lips can actually make them drier," explains Dr. Ugonabo. As people age, they have a higher risk of developing dry skin. Shop. (BTW, yes, you should still wear SPF every day, even if you're staying inside. These ingredients are also in many personal care products for dry skin. Humectants provide temporary anti-aging effects because the extra hydration is extra volume, which effectively plumps out the skin and makes lines and wrinkles less noticeable. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. "It's SPF 30 with broad-spectrum coverage protecting your lips from UVA . Thankfully, there are some workarounds, starting with using the best lip balms for chapped lips, all expert-vetted below. A great option for those who want something a bit more luxe. Sugar alcohols (glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, etc. Occlusive emollients such as lanolin, emulsifying ointment, and liquid paraffin work by covering the skin with a protective film, preventing water loss. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, American Academy of Dermatology Association, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545171/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5908267/, https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/oily-skin, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31945604/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23521561/, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-021-00611-y, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22525567/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/. Dry air, cold temperatures and wind all have a drying effect on skin by drawing moisture away from the body. Urea can help with many skin conditions, such as: An older 2013 study evaluated the effects of once and twice daily applications of a humectant-rich moisturizer containing 15% AHAs and 15% urea. Beeswax protects lips and retains lip moisture. 'Tis the season for chapped, dry lips. The best part? Photo: Courtesy of Merchants / Design by Jo Imperio, These Are The 10 Best Lip Plumping Glosses, According to Reviews, Potentially Irritating Ingredients to Avoid Using on Angry Lips. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. The exfoliant here comes courtesy of sugar crystals, a favorite option of Dr. Maiman due to the natural humectant properties in sugar. In this post, well answer these questions and more so youll know the difference between humectant, emollient, and occlusive moisturizers. It contains glycerin to draw in moisture, shea butter and beeswax to protect, chamomile . Beeswax protects lips and retains lip moisture. Overall, the best facial moisturizer is Carrot & Stick The Moisturizer, a lightweight antioxidant-rich formula that delivers multi-level hydration, thanks to a proprietary active complex of three natural bio-ferments. If your lip balm contains both humectants and occlusives, and you're still experiencing perpetual dryness, you may need to look more closely at the ingredient list. Humectants - "Attract and bind water into the skin to moisturize the skin . I initially thought these were ridiculously expensive for being just tinted balms but I've been blown away by their performance and now think that they're worth every penny! writes one satisfied customer. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. A good lip balm should be rich in occlusive elements like oils, beeswax, and petrolatum, which seal in moisture so your kisser doesn't dry out, as well as SPFeven if it's cold outside. Objective: Since skin on the lips has a lower water content in the stratum corneum (SC) and a higher transepidermal water loss (TEWL) value than skin on the cheek, the lips are usually very dry and rough areas. This balm is so good, it won as the best lip treatment in our 2020 Healthy Beauty Awards. It's also possible to become addicted to medicated balms since some active ingredients can make your lips more sensitive and prone to cracking. Specifications. Vaseline is an occlusive emollient thanks to its main ingredient: petrolatum. A 2019 review analyzed databases from 19902018 that dealt with skin conditions of people over the age of 50 years. It's not the most exciting option as far as best lip balms for chapped lips, but it does exactly what a lip balm product should do. Humectants alone may actually add to dryness because they can draw water from deeper layers of the skin. In the skin, this may come from the deeper layers, or from the air if it is humid enough. In contrast, someone with dry skin or hair could benefit from products that contain humectants, emollients, and occlusives. Of them, 12 had no skin conditions, and 50 had hyperkeratosis, or thickened skin, on the feet. A great approach is to look for products that combine all three of these in one formula. Cay Skin's Isle Lip Balm SPF 30 leaves lips looking plump and protected every time you reapply. Remember from above that the skin barrier is composed of dead skin cells held together by a lipid matrix. In addition, humectants can draw water vapor from the air to help moisturize the skin if the humidity is over 50 percent. . Another 2020 Healthy Beauty Award winner, this is like a love child of a lipstick and a lip balm, says Jessica Morse, clean beauty expert and founder of Bare Beauty. COOLA Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30$18. This clear, nonsticky balm has sea moss to hydrate, as well as aloe stem cells to . Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? Below is some of the research on common humectants. The new and improved formula uses a blend of ingredients that instantly softens the skin and deeply hydrates, keeping them feeling comfortable all day long. coconut oil; . If youve ever used an anti-acne product that made you break out, then you already know what we mean: Counterintuitively, some lip balms can make chapped lips worse by actually exacerbating dryness. (See: Why You Should Be Using Lip Oil Instead of Lip Balm). If you are the site owner (or you manage this site), please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details (displayed in the box below), so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue. The unique formula relieves and soothes chapped, cracked lips and provides effective, long-lasting moisture, so lips look and feel healthier . An emollient is an oily substance that fills in the spaces between dead skin cells, thus creating a smooth skin surface. So what makes a good lip moisturizer? In personal care products, they help hydrate the skin, hair, or nails. Its a common misconception that silicones can cause or worsen acne. You could be exposing even more of the lips and causing even more dryness." Lip moisturizers can . It can be used on any part of the body that has dry, irritated skin. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The best part? I'm absolutely obsessed with our new formula and have no less than five tubes in my arsenal at any given moment. Made with Lanolina deeply moisturizing oil naturally occurring in sheep's woolit mimics the skin's own oils to heal and hydrate. Also, be careful of over-exfoliation, which can shed outer layers of skin and leave you more susceptible to environmental elements. This balm includes glycerin, shea butter, moringa, avocado, coconut, and jojoba oils. Shea butter, cocoa butter, vitamin E, jojoba and rosehip oils are . "You want to be sure [lip balms] don't have fragrances, menthol, camphor, or salicylic acid. Made from nutrient-dense butters and hydrating oils like cocoa butter and sweet almond oil, this rose-flavored balm will leave you with soft lips. Both . Think about it this way: Applying a poor lip balm is like drinking soda to quench your thirst. Arch Physiother Glob Res. What Are Parabens And Are They Bad For You? For example, AHAs are also exfoliants. Occlusive moisturizers contain ingredients that create a physical barrier on top of the skin that helps prevent trans-epidermal water. Humectants alone may actually add to dryness because they can draw water from deeper layers of the skin. However, one drawback with humectant products is that they can sometimes pull too much moisture from the lower layers of skin when the air in your surrounding environment is very dry. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Price at time of publish: $15. A lot of winter factors contribute to dryness on your lips, but lip skin is already sensitive and prone to dryness. While an emollient will provide some occlusive effects, the primary function is to help soften the skin. All rights reserved. "Also, since lips do not contain melanocytes and are very sensitive to the sun, you should make sure . Your IP address is listed in our blacklist and blocked from completing this request. Aquaphor is a go-to for a reason. Are these the best-tinted balms ever? But when the water content in the top layer of skin called the stratum corneum falls below 10%, these dead cells build up and lead to dry, rough-textured skin.. And the lip balms that are the most coveted, and last the test of time, have one thing in common in their formula. The benefits of humectants depend on the ingredient. Hydrating skin care ingredients attract water, while moisturizers keep the hydration in. Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 15_4_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/15.4 Mobile/15E148 Safari/604.1. For severely chapped lips, Dr. Waldorf recommends Bag Balm because it contains occlusive ingredients like petrolatum and lanolin with an antiseptic preservative. Learn more. 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"After saliva evaporates, the lips are often even drier than when it started." This bonding helps moisturize the skin by drawing water from the lower cell layers. This Dermatologist formulated moisturiser for face repairs the skin barrier. Whats more, Aquaphor is free of fragrances, dyes, and preservatives, so its a great option if you have sensitive lips. Another key ingredient here is Mongongo oil, a hydrating ingredient commonly found in products for very, very thirsty hair. Beeswax has lubricating, softening activities and reduces trans-epidermal water loss from skin 1. It immediately relieves dryness and soothes chapped, cracked lips, and provides long-lasting moisture to them. Now 19% Off. This article discusses humectants and the products that contain them, as well as examples and benefits. This $18 Heavenly Body Oil Claims to Improve Skin Winter comes with its fair share of beauty problems, and chapped lips are right up there with static-shocked hair and those itchy red dry spots you get around your nose from blowing too much. Alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid are naturally derived acids from fruit and milk sugars. "The main ingredient is ceramides, which help retain moisture and optimize barrier function. They come in three main forms: natural or unchanged, naturally derived, and synthetic. It comes in both a clear version, as well as two tinted options. This is why humectants should really be paired with occlusives and emollientseither in the same formula or layered together. RRP: $16/20. And balms that are able to achieve this can do so because they use a blend of humectants, emollients, and occlusive ingredientslike in mindbodygreen's lip balm. Body Art. It also has some unique moisturizing properties as it is both occlusive and humectant . It also contains ionized water, which helps return the skin barrier to its natural pH.". Vanicream Lip Protectant SPF 30. Humectants are different from emollients and occlusives. There are also things you should avoid doing to your lips when they're already chapped, including one that might seem counterintuitive: licking your lips to wet them. Also, please don't peel off any flaking lip skin, since this habit is also damaging to sensitive lip skin. Exfoliating ingredients (like salicylic acid or physical granules in scrubs) should also be avoided if your lips are chapped, since it wont fix the underlying problem and can make your lips feel raw. This proprietary formulation helps, retain moisture content . Without an occlusive to seal it in, this moisture can evaporate . It also promises to improve the wear of lipsticks when layered underneath them. Aloe vera gel and juice come from the aloe vera plant help smooth the surface of your skin and hair. The stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis (top layer of skin), is the primary barrier of the skin and is very important in maintaining water balance. It comes in two colorwaysuluru red . Aquaphor is a go-to for a reason. The 17 Best Lip Balms for Smooth, Hydrated Lips, According to Dermatologists and Shoppers The 10 Best Red Lipsticks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed The 7 Best Lip Plumpers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed This stuff is really very natural so no preservatives. Amazon reviewers agree, with over 15,000 positive reviews. Now that you have the basics down, its time to find a lip balm that works for you. Aquaphor isn't just an ointment or a lip balm. Apply lip balm with beeswax or shea butter. This Jack Black lip balm promises "intense therapy," and frankly, it delivers. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Try applying humectant-rich, water-based toners, essences, and serums and then sealing them in a few drops of facial oil. Most of us know the frustration of applying a formula, only to have to reach for it moments later because the skin already feels parched. Instead of attracting moisture, they trap it beneath this barrier, preventing it from evaporating. Another popular group of ingredients for moisturizing the skin and hair are emollients and occlusives. What gives? Lips are particularly vulnerable because the skin is so thin, and . Rachel Maiman, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical counts the following ingredients as potential irritants for chapped lips. Humectants are ingredients that attract and bind water. All Rights Reserved. Those with oily or acne-prone skin should avoid most occlusives except silicones. (Not to mention, Reese Whitherspoon is a mega fan of the clean beauty brand.). Not all of the ingredients listed above will irritate everyone, but if you are prone to irritation or chapped lips, you may want to avoid them. You can also use it as a preventive treatment: Slather this on your lips if you know youre going to be spending lots of time outdoors in colder tempssay, before you head out skiing or hikingto keep your skin protected from windburn. What causes them, and what you can do about them. In hair care, humectants perform a similar function. "Humectant ingredients absorb water so that it stays [locked] into the skin" says Dr. Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, which helps to keep the skin hydrated.Popular options for normal to dry skin include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, lactic acid, and aloe vera, which often appear in both serums and moisturizers, but Dr. Macrene Alexiades MD PhD, a triple board . Hana Hong is the beauty & fashion editor at RealSimple.com. Not only can dry skin cause discomfort, but it can worsen conditions like eczema or put you at risk for skin infections. As previously mentioned, beeswax is a common ingredient in lip balmsespecially those of the homemade varietythanks to its humectant properties . occlusive. Dior Addict Lip Glow, $33 at Saks If your natural lip color can only be found on a true-crime show, this lip balm is for you. Counterintuitively, some lip balms can make dry lips worse by contributing to chapping. Therefore, a lip balm approach to increase occlusivity of the lips is generally used to reduce water loss. Emollients. 1 . Humectants are ingredients found in lotions and cleansers that hydrate the skin by attracting water molecules like a magnet. You may have become familiar with the concept of occlusives because of the recent rise in popularity of skin slugging, a practice by which folks slather on a thick formula as part of their last step before bed (with the idea that it will stop nighttime transepidermal water loss). Its free of potentially skin-drying alcohol and irritating colors or fragrances. , Speak with your doctor or a dermatologist about the condition of your skin or hair if you can't find relief from dry or oily skin, or youre worried about underlying health issues. It also boasts jojoba, coconut, and olive oils to seal in moisture. It contains glycerin to draw in moisture, shea butter and beeswax to protect, chamomile essence to soothe dryness and cracks, as well as castor seed oil for additional hydration. Whether or not you should use an emollient moisturizer largely depends on what emollient ingredient is used in the product. "I tried all types of lip balms and lip masksbut nothing really worked. I always keep at least five tubes of this matte, non-sticky formula in . Buy It, $3.50. This K-beauty favorite balances shea butter with exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids to rehab dry, flaking lips overnight. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Thanks to frigid temps and less humidity in the air, any natural moisture in your lips simply evaporates, leaving you with dry skin, flaking, or even painful cracks. Previously, she's held beauty roles at Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, SELF, and Cosmopolitan; her byline has appeared in Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Allure.com. Additionally, a 2021 research article notes that the humectant lactic acid can relieve rough, dry skin at concentrations up to 12%. Made with shea butter, rosehip oil, and other botanical butter, this lip balm is worth the price tag. She spends most of her days diving into the latest wellness trends, writing and editing stories about health conditions, testing skincare products, and trying to understand the next greatest internet obsession. "However, if there is no occlusivelike petrolatum, beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, or squalenethe moisture will not be sealed in to protect the moisture barrier. Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Formulyst Age Defying Daily Moisturizer Pamela Anderson Shares Her Best Anti-Aging Trick, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Although the balm is a light pink, it morphs on your lips to create an individual color using what Dior calls "Color Reviver Technology." Along with drawing in water, AHAs help the body get rid of dead skin cells. This vegan balm features ceramides and hyaluronic acid, glycerin (a powerful occlusive ingredient), and squalane, a lesser-known, but hard-working moisturizer. Overall, the LANO brand has a full range of lanolin-based products that are ideal for hydrating and moisturizing." Triple Lanolin Hand & Body Lotion $11.00. You can find humectants mainly in skin care and hair care products, but many industries use them. Choose A Lip Balm With Humectants & Occlusives. Without these essential lipids, the barrier is weakened. Extremely dry or irritated skin types need an occlusive moisturizer - especially at night and in the winter months. Whether a person should use humectants, emollients, or both depends on their skin type. This is a great everyday repair balm, says board-certified dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., director of ethnic skin care for the University of Miami Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. Ride Or Die Lip Balm (Cheeky Cherry) Hydrating tinted lip balm to repair dry lips. Emollient ingredients contain natural fats that soften and condition the skin. A mild steroid, such as 1% hydrocortisone, can reduce inflammation if your lips are in pain. . A dermatologist can determine whether you have any allergies or underlying medical conditions that cause dry lips and recommend the best lip balm for your specific skin type. However, this effect is transient as soon as the moisture content in skin decreases, lines and wrinkles will return to normal size. They also help repair and strengthen the skins natural protective barrier. It seals lips well overnight, she says. This is because humectants work like a magnet and draw water out of whatever is nearby. However, they work by forming a barrier over the skin, trapping moisture inside rather than attracting it. This preservation of skin hydration helps prevent dry skin and eczema, reports research from 2018. Best Skin Whitening Lightening Creams 2022, Which is best humectant emollient or occlusive, Understanding the Role of Cyclopentasiloxane & Dimethicone Silicones in Cosmetics, Everything You Need to Know About Peptides. Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think youll love as much as we do. It's not the most exciting option as far as best lip balms for chapped lips, but it does exactly what a lip balm product should do. . A few examples of skin care ingredients that can be classified as humectants include the following: Humectant products can be used by all skin types, but they are best for those with normal to slightly dry skin. The final outcome is a balm that nourishes with every swipe and leaves you satisfied throughout the day.