One way you can help your skin and hair collect more moisture is to use products with humectants., Humectants are substances that attract water from the air or from deeper in the skin. Lip Gloss. In short, humectant ingredients need to be offset by occlusive ingredients to avoid the cycle of reapplication. Both . Check out the ingredients of your lip balm. But if you find yourself slathering a bit too often, we have some bad news: Your precious lip balm may be causing more harm than good. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may. 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. . According to Dr. Nussbaum, this is the same reason licking your lips worsens chapped lipsthe saliva quickly evaporates, leaving the lips even drier and starting the lip-licking cycle over again. Formulyst knows that hyaluronic acid is the key to healthy, hydrated skin, which is why the Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer was created. Some also claim it helps with other conditions. She writes about curls and coils, treatment test drives, and intersectionality. In her current role, she covers all the latest trends in the clean and natural beauty space, as well as lifestyle topics, such as travel. Aquaphor Lip Repair. Common occlusive ingredients include petrolatum, silicones, waxes (like carnauba or beeswax), and most oils and butters, Neuser says. If you're using a product and you feel like it's not getting better, you should generally consider switching to something more bland." Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? It's also possible to become addicted to medicated balms since some active ingredients can make your lips more sensitive and prone to cracking. The formula is lightweight and non-greasy, and it has SPF 30meaning your lips will be covered from drying elements and the sun! Humectants, on the other hand, tend to be noncomedogenic and non-oily. This Dermatologist formulated moisturiser for face repairs the skin barrier. They also help repair and strengthen the skins natural protective barrier. Humectants can be beneficial skin hydrating ingredients when used properly. The NMF can become depleted with age and also from routine exposure to sensitizing ingredients like drying cleansing agents and denatured alcohol. This stuff is really very natural so no preservatives. Amazon reviewers agree, with over 15,000 positive reviews. Without occlusives, the moisture will evaporate and your skin will be left drier than it was before. The fragrance-free formula also contains occlusive agents like shea butter and beeswax, and can also be used to soothe skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or even annoying insect bites. The exact definition can vary depending on location. Heres the thing: Humectant ingredients need to be offset by occlusive ingredients to work their moisturizing magic. oz of lip balm goodness! Look for a lip balm that contains a mixture of humectant and occlusive ingredients not humectants on their own. It immediately relieves dryness and soothes chapped, cracked lips, and provides long-lasting moisture to them. "These ingredients pull moisture . 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. The NMF is primarily composed of free amino acids and various derivatives of these amino acids, for example, PCA, urocanic acid, and inorganic salts, sugars, as well as urea and lactic acid. The humectant will draw in moisture while the occlusive will lock in that moisture in, and the emollient will keep the skin soft and smooth. Glycerin is one of the most effective humectants, and it also helps keep your skin barrier strong., Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). The color is beautiful and lasts for hours, and it is truly moisturizing. Choose the untinted version for a classic balm or one of the three natural shades for a nice pop of colorall of them contain jojoba and cocoa seed butter for lasting hydration. However, this effect is transient as soon as the moisture content in skin decreases, lines and wrinkles will return to normal size. Uploaded by: amoraandroses on 12/27/2022. Organic skin care refers to products that contain organically-farmed ingredients. Here, what the best, most high-quality balms do in their formulas. Dr. Maiman also recommends looking for humectants, ingredients that draw water from the lower layer of the skin (the dermis), into the upper layer of the skin (the epidermis), helping to moisturize the the outer layers of skin to help heal and prevent chapping. Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen. Upon application to the skin, this lattice enables silicones to form a film on the surface while still allowing skin to breathe. Mind your reaction: Even some traditionally helpful ingredients, like beeswax, can cause allergic reactions in people, says Dr. Feely. Best lip oil. The super thick formula melts down nicely, and a little goes a long way for healthier lips come morning. "After saliva evaporates, the lips are often even drier than when it started." 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. Hazelnut oil also happens to be chock-full of Vitamin E which, combined with rose oil, soothes while it hydrates. . . A lipophilic humectant is one that manufacturers have dissolved in fats or lipids. In personal care products, they help hydrate the skin, hair, or nails. What Is Allantoin and Its Role In Your Skin Care? 2015;19(1):7-15. (Isn't it such a small joy to find an old favorite tucked away in a coat pocket?) It slows the evaporation of water from the skin and helps protect against microbes. People can consult a dermatologist to identify their skin type and find the best regimen for them. 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. bath oils. DIY beeswax lip balm. The benefits of humectants depend on the ingredient. Is argan oil a humectant? According to Dr. Ugonabo, basic is usually better, at least when it comes to healing chapped lips. And don't worrythe belief that applying lip balm causes the body to stop generating natural moisture is just a myth. Its free of potentially skin-drying alcohol and irritating colors or fragrances. Cay Skin's Isle Lip Balm SPF 30 leaves lips looking plump and protected every time you reapply. To be safe, Dr. Nussbaum recommends avoiding parabens, phenol, phthalates, fragrances, and lanolin altogether if you have sensitive skin. It's amazing," shares one reviewer. A 2019 review analyzed databases from 19902018 that dealt with skin conditions of people over the age of 50 years. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are examples of humectants. And while new products are certainly exciting, they mean nothing without establishing the basics. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. In summary. Buy It, $3.50. Therefore, a lip balm approach to increase occlusivity of the lips is generally used to reduce water loss. We always keep lip balm on handhow are you supposed to wear lipstick 24/7 otherwise?and wearing it at all times becomes nonnegotiable once the cold front rolls in. "For dry lips, you want something that is moisturizing and occlusive, meaning that it's actually going to seal in the moisture," says Dr. Ugonabo, who recommends occlusive ingredients such as petroleum jelly, shea butter, mineral oil, and ceramides. For example, AHAs are also exfoliants. This is a molecule found naturally in the body, although the body makes less of it as you age. Even the sun protection is natural, non-micronized mineral zinc, a rarity given that many lip products use chemical sunscreen ingredients. "Emollients have a tendency to spread on the skin and increase the rate of skin barrier restoration," says Dr. Schmid. One reviewer raved: I applied a very small amount and my lips got much better after three days. Now 19% Off. Humectants - "Attract and bind water into the skin to moisturize the skin . Vanicream Lip Protectant SPF 30. Dry air, cold temperatures and wind all have a drying effect on skin by drawing moisture away from the body. For severely chapped lips, Dr. Waldorf recommends Bag Balm because it contains occlusive ingredients like petrolatum and lanolin with an antiseptic preservative. Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. The answer lies in the ingredients. Occlusives. This is because they're indiscriminate about where they pull in water. Copyright 1999 2023 GoDaddy Operating Company, LLC. So, its always best to ask your doctor if youre concerned. Without occlusives, the moisture that the humectants pull out simply vanishes on the surface of the skin, leaving lips drier than they were in the first place. If youre looking for a vegan option, this hydrating formula is just the thing to quench your pout. They may also help with the treatment of . For optimal lip health, your lip balm should include a blend of emollient, humectant, and occlusive ingredients. She also recommends a product with SPF for extra protection. The exfoliant here comes courtesy of sugar crystals, a favorite option of Dr. Maiman due to the natural humectant properties in sugar. Because it stops water from being evaporated and helps . They increase skin: Occlusives are mostly oil-based. Humectants also promote the shedding of dead cells (called desquamation) by breaking down the proteins that hold the cells together. Without an occlusive to seal it in, this moisture can evaporate and leave your skin drier than before. . According to her, there are three elements needed to make a lip balm work. This Jack Black lip balm promises "intense therapy," and frankly, it delivers. This leads to visibly dry, tight-feeling, flaky skin. "Therefore, there is a bit of trial and error in finding which lip balm is right for your pout." This can lead to symptoms of dryness, itching, and irritation, and may eventually cause skin conditions such as acne, eczema, sensitive skin, and even signs of aging. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale. Humectants alone may actually add to dryness because they can draw water from deeper layers of the skin. And the lip balms that are the most coveted, and last the test of time, have one thing in common in their formula. "In order to maintain healthy lip skin, keep your lips well moisturized with a lip balm that soothes and protects the lip barrier with both a humectant and occlusive, like eos The Hero Extra Dry Lip Repair ($8, target.com)," says Dr. Nussbaum. Here's What Derms Want You to Know, Ask a Beauty Editor: 4 Best Ingredients for Dry Skin (and the 2 Worst), The 11 Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin of 2023, The 12 Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin of 2023, The 12 Best Face Oils of 2023 for Every Skin Type, The Best Skincare Routine for Eczema, According to Dermatologists, Allergenic potential of cosmetic ingredients. This formula contains sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, which is an exceptional ingredient for adding hydration to the skin. It also has some unique moisturizing properties as it is both occlusive and humectant . Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly. Thankfully, there are some workarounds, starting with using the best lip balms for chapped lips, all expert-vetted below. "In order to maintain healthy lip skin, keep your lips well moisturized with a lip balm that soothes and protects the lip barrier with both a humectant and occlusive, like eos The Hero Extra Dry Lip Repair ($8, target.com)," says Dr. Nussbaum. You've probably seen it on Instagram, and it gets a derm's approval, too. This coconut oil-based balm-gloss hybrid is the perfect product for those that like a bit of sheen while treating their lips. Below are the products we recommend that effectively combine these three ingredient types in their formulas. Harwood, A., Nassereddin, A., Krishnamurthy, K. StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2020. Applying an occlusive moisturizer immediately after bathing may be an effective way to trap additional water in the skin. Product Description. STYLECASTERs mantra is Style To The People and our mission is to be an accessible, inclusive, ahead-of-the-trend destination for millennial and Gen Z women who want to live with style and substance. The most common include. 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. "Unlike the rest of our skin, lips don't have sweat glands, so they're not able to produce their own sweat and oil," says Nkem Ugonabo, M.D., NYC-based board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm. Made with shea butter, rosehip oil, and other botanical butter, this lip balm is worth the price tag. These benefits stem from the humectants actions of promoting new blood vessel formation and increasing fibroblasts, which are cells in connective tissue that produce collagen and other fibers. Some humectants for skin work as exfoliators that remove dead skin cells and debris first, leaving you with a smoother complexion and allowing for cell turnover. Now that you know the difference between humectant, emollient, and occlusive moisturizers, you can probably see that there are advantages and disadvantages with each type. We also recommend Carrot & Stick Repair Serum for dry skin and Carrot & Stick The Water Gel Moisturizer for oily skin. Each tube contains 0.15 fl. Additionally, a 2021 research article notes that the humectant lactic acid can relieve rough, dry skin at concentrations up to 12%. Chemically speaking, humectants are hygroscopic substances that form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Here are a few of our favorites: If you're a regular ingredient list reader, you may notice a very popular type of occlusive is missing from the list: mineral oils, petroleum jelly, and petrochemicals. Although there are various examples of humectants, some are more commonly used. What Are Parabens And Are They Bad For You? "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. Some humectants first break down the dead skin cells clogging up your skin's surface., These dead skin cells drop off in a process called cell turnover or desquamation. 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. As a humectant, sodium hyaluronate draws in moisture from the environment and can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. What is the latest research on the form of cancer Jimmy Carter has? Aside from humectants, personal care products often contain emollients and occlusives. Some humectants, such as glycerine or hyaluronic acid, pull moisture out of the lips leaving the skin dehydrated and sore. Some moisturizers work better for oily skin, while others help dry, sensitive, or inflamed skin. This K-beauty favorite balances shea butter with exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids to rehab dry, flaking lips overnight. In order to discuss the different types of moisturizers, well need a brief discussion on the structure and function of the skin barrier. 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. "The delicate vanilla-rose scent of this balm is so light it's almost not there," one reviewer raved. Formulyst Age Defying Daily Moisturizer These work by creating a barrier, often consisting of a plant oil or butter, over the skin or hair. That's not to say you should avoid lip balms entirelyor that you should avoid humectants in your lip balms. $16 at allbeauty. This clear, nonsticky balm has sea moss to hydrate, as well as aloe stem cells to . Good ol Vaseline is a dermatologist favorite due to its simple formula of 100% petroleum jelly. 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. I would wake up the next day with the same cracked, peeling lips. Beeswax is also an occlusive, meaning it forms a moisturizing, protective layer on the surface of the lips 3. A mild steroid, such as 1% hydrocortisone, can reduce inflammation if your lips are in pain. Apply lip balm with beeswax or shea butter. This proprietary formulation helps, retain moisture content . All rights reserved. Beeswax prevents moisture loss, while SPF 15 protects your lips from the sun. In comparison to humectants, emollients and occlusives tend to be thicker, heavier ingredients. "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 . Shop. The unique formula relieves and soothes chapped, cracked lips and provides effective, long-lasting moisture, so lips look and feel healthier . Below are the products we recommend that effectively combine these three ingredient types in their formulas. COOLA Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30$18. 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. Humectants alone may actually add to dryness because they can draw water from deeper layers of the skin. Unfortunately, some skin care brands may use high concentrations of humectants in their products that are claimed to provide anti-aging effects without any other ingredients to correct signs of aging. It positively affects consumers' lips because it is made of 100% herbal ingredients containing a combination of an emollient, a humectant, and an occlusive agent to enhance the duration of the . dimethicone. This balm includes glycerin, shea butter, moringa, avocado, coconut, and jojoba oils. 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. 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. . Like Vaseline, Aquaphor is an occlusive emollient, but it also contains a number of additional ingredients not found in Vaseline, including panthenol making it a top pick for best lip balms for chapped lips.