Dr. Amin says he uses this lip balm after FixMySkins heavy-hitting chapstick. If you have constantly dry lips you have to try it.. 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. Some also have other benefits. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Humectants, on the other hand, tend to be noncomedogenic and non-oily. Below is some of the research on common humectants. DIY beeswax lip balm. RRP: $16/20. SPF is also key, even in winter. This vegan balm features ceramides and hyaluronic acid, glycerin (a powerful occlusive ingredient), and squalane, a lesser-known, but hard-working moisturizer. What causes them, and what you can do about them. "These ingredients pull moisture . Nearly everyone can benefit from an emollient product. oz of lip balm goodness! Beeswax has lubricating, softening activities and reduces trans-epidermal water loss from skin 1. 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. Price at time of publish: $15. Emollients are effective at filling in the cracks and crevices of dry skin or fine lines. SkinQ Moisture Balm has occlusive, humectant active ingredients with moisturisation along with anti-inflammatory and skin-nourishing actives. (Not to mention, Reese Whitherspoon is a mega fan of the clean beauty brand.). Glycerin. Shes spent the last five years interviewing top medical experts, interpreting peer-reviewed studies, and reporting on health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness trends for national brands like Womens Health and Mens Health. This preservation of skin hydration helps prevent dry skin and eczema, reports research from 2018. Lipstick. Occlusive agents, like beeswax, shea butter, and various oils, create a physical barrier to prevent water loss. (See: How to Strengthen Your Skin Barrier to Prevent Irritation and Sensitivity). This article discusses humectants and the products that contain them, as well as examples and benefits. Here, find the best lip moisturizers that actually work. "Licking your lips can actually make them drier," explains Dr. Ugonabo. Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. It's also a great option if you want a little scent without any potentially irritating chemicals (the scent here comes from rose oil) according to reviews. coconut oil; . This means it helps protect lips from becoming dry or chapped. 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. You can find humectants mainly in skin care and hair care products, but many industries use them. In the skin, this may come from the deeper layers, or from the air if it is humid enough. Beeswax is an effective Occlusive that comes from bee honeycomb and is often used in lip balms and creams that require a thicker consistency to keep them from separating. Dry brushing is a way of exfoliating the skin using a bristle brush. In personal care products, they help hydrate the skin, hair, or nails. 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. The NMF can become depleted with age and also from routine exposure to sensitizing ingredients like drying cleansing agents and denatured alcohol. Another popular group of ingredients for moisturizing the skin and hair are emollients and occlusives. Lip Balm. StyleCaster is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Credit: Aquaphor. 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. Applying an occlusive moisturizer immediately after bathing may be an effective way to trap additional water in the skin. "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. Of them, 12 had no skin conditions, and 50 had hyperkeratosis, or thickened skin, on the feet. As a humectant, sodium hyaluronate draws in moisture from the environment and can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Thanks to winter weather triggers like dipping temps outside and dry heat inside, chapped lips are more or less inevitable this time of year. The formula is lightweight and non-greasy, and it has SPF 30meaning your lips will be covered from drying elements and the sun! Humectants are ingredients found in lotions and cleansers that hydrate the skin by attracting water molecules like a magnet. A mild steroid, such as 1% hydrocortisone, can reduce inflammation if your lips are in pain. They come in three main forms: natural or unchanged, naturally derived, and synthetic. 4. Plumping ingredients like capsaicin arent a great idea as they will cause swelling. To be safe, Dr. Nussbaum recommends avoiding parabens, phenol, phthalates, fragrances, and lanolin altogether if you have sensitive skin. "Panthenol acts as a humectant," explains Dr. Maiman. Know when to see a doctor: If you have just a patch or spot of chapped lips that is persistent, dont assume it is just dryness, cautions Dr. Waldorf. All rights reserved. Other humectants in personal care products include: When choosing skin care and hair care products, take your time. Worth noting: it does have a hint of peppermint, but it leans more towards refreshing as opposed to the stinging you'd feel on ultra-chapped lips treated with camphor or menthol. Humectants alone may actually add to dryness because they can draw water from deeper layers of the skin. Once the humectants loosen the dead cells, they draw moisture from deeper layers of skin. .css-1pm21f6{display:block;font-family:AvantGarde,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1pm21f6:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1pm21f6{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1pm21f6{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1pm21f6{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.3;}}Pamela Anderson Shares Her Best Anti-Aging Trick, Jamie Lee Curtis Loves This Brightening Face Oil, 12 Best Benzoyl Peroxide Products to Treat Acne, Bobbi Brown Shares Her Go-To Daily Sunscreen, Catherine Zeta-Jones Loves This Glowy Face Mousse, What to Know About Keratosis Pilaris Treatments, Eva Mendes Swears By These Exfoliating Mitts. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. When it comes to picking the best lip balms for chapped lips, a good rule of thumb is to avoid anything that could be irritating, such as fragrances, harsh essential oils, or flavoring. Its affordable, great for sensitive skin types, and gets the job done. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are examples of humectants. However, they work by forming a barrier over the skin, trapping moisture inside rather than attracting it. Best Luxury: Augustinus Bader The Lip Balm, $41. Lip Gloss. The humectant, emollient, and occlusive properties of coconut oil and beeswax combined, make this lip balm a must-have. 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. SPF: 30 | Shades: 4 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes. The humectant sodium hyaluronate is combined with occlusives like cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone to ensure that moisture is absorbed and locked in. This classic lip balm is Idriss' pick for lip balm with sun protection. These ingredients feel thick and heavy after application since they are not absorbed into the skin. That's why these types of ingredients work best together. 2009 - 2023 MindBodyGreen LLC. "Therefore, there is a bit of trial and error in finding which lip balm is right for your pout." 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. Instantly hydrating and nourishing. Without an occlusive to seal it in, this moisture can evaporate and leave your skin drier than before. All rights reserved. buy now. Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly. "Lip balms that contain humectant ingredients, . Basically, an emollient is a film forming substance that makes the skin feel and look smooth. Beeswax protects lips and retains lip moisture. 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. 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. Older research from 2012 states that hyaluronic acid helps speed up wound repair and reduces scar appearance. 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. You may think a good lip balm is simpleand while it should be effortless to use, the formula itself is often a bit complex. Ingredients: Cupuau butter, mongongo oil | Price: 0.15 ounces (Approx. 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. 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. Both . So, its always best to ask your doctor if youre concerned. They provide a layer on the skin surface that helps protect against water evaporation. Lanolips has given me lips that don't peel, chap, crack, and bleed, writes one satisfied customer. A cult favorite, this hydrating lip treatment from Fresh earns a stamp of approval from Shari Marchbein, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at NYU School of Medicine. Those with oily or acne-prone skin should avoid most occlusives except silicones. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale. Hyaluronic acid. (57) Shop now. Adding emollients to the formula creates a smooth surface. Hana Hong is the beauty & fashion editor at RealSimple.com. Without an occlusive to seal it in, this moisture can evaporate . 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. SkinQ Moisture B Mind your reaction: Even some traditionally helpful ingredients, like beeswax, can cause allergic reactions in people, says Dr. Feely. This classic lip balm from Kiehls feels more like a light oil than your traditional Chapstick. Occlusives are primarily oil-based. And the lip balms that are the most coveted, and last the test of time, have one thing in common in their formula. According to her, there are three elements needed to make a lip balm work. In mindbodygreen's lip balm, we blended together shea butter, sunflower seed wax, sodium hyaluronate, castor oil, moringa seed oil, and several other high-quality ingredients. Humectants hold on to water, and occlusives keep it from evaporating, explains Dr. Baumann. Whether a person should use humectants, emollients, or both depends on their skin type. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are examples of humectants. THIS SITE IS AFFILIATED WITH FORMULYST AND CARROT & STICK, WHOSE PRODUCTS ARE AMONG THOSE WE REVIEW AND RANK.