Since ChapStick is technically a lip balm, it's not really a fair question to ask which one is better for dry and chapped lips. The best for dry lips is lip balm.
As for the difference between lip balm and ChapStick? There aren't any. ChapStick is a brand name trademark for lip balm. It's a particular brand of lip balm that has been around for decades.
The biggest difference between lip balm and Chapstick tends to be that Chapstick is formulated just for your mouth. It comes in a stick form that is easy to apply to your lips. The reason that lip balm is so much better than the stick form is because it can be used in many different ways.
For nearly everyone, though, it's a harmless (and actually healthy) habit. The lips don't have the same oil glands as the rest of your skin, so they're more prone to dryness and irritation—making balm a must to keep them moisturized and avoid cracked lips. Myth: Lip balm can dry out your lips.
Lip balms, particularly oil-based balms, do help seal in moisture on the skin of your lips temporarily, but once the thin film of hydration they capture evaporates, your skin is actually worse off. It's left even more dehydrated than before, which means more cracked, flaky, or irritated — and more in need of balm.
So, it is only for chemical lip balms that their frequent usage can lead to dryness, itchiness, or cracked lips. But, if you choose lip balms made of natural ingredients like Honey, Mint, Shea Butter and other organically produced oils, feel free to apply them as many times as you want in a day.
“I always recommend using thicker moisturizing ointments like Vaseline or Aquaphor in colder weather. Lighter lip moisturizers like balms or Chapstick are generally better-suited for warmer, more humid months, when lips are less prone to drying and cracking.”
The Disadvantages of Applying Lip Balm
First, you may notice chapped lips. Yes, believe it or not, lip balm can actually worsen lip chapping. If a brand contains an allergen, it will cause a lip rash that mimics chapped lips. In actuality, the rash is an allergic reaction; which looks and feels like chapped lips.
Vaseline or petroleum jelly is a great way to seal the moisture in your lips. It strengthens the skin barrier and prevents moisture from escaping, keeping your lips soft and smooth. Redness, irritation, clogged pores, and infection may be some of the side effects of using vaseline.
Is Burt's Bees good for your lips? Yes, Burt's Bees lip balm is good for your lips. The lip balm is moisturizing, hydrating and nourishing for dry lips, and is made from natural ingredients. It is free from harmful chemicals like parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS and is not tested on animals.
5 reasons to use lip balm before you pucker up
Your lips will feel moisturised and supple, which will benefit the person you're kissing too. No more uncomfortable dry and flaky skin on the lips. It forms a protective layer. Your lips will look cared for, healthier and more kissable.
Best Overall
The Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm is our top pick because we found that it gives our lips long-lasting moisturization while being incredibly lightweight.
When you swipe on a layer of your favorite chapstick, you might think that you're adding moisture to your dry, cracked lips. However, your lip balm actually contains wax or petrolatum that creates a watertight barrier, preventing your internal skin moisture from evaporating or escaping from the surface of your lips.
Coconut oil is an ingredient used to soften skin and hair all over South-Asia. It a natural lip-balm substitute that ensures soft lips. You may use it in an oil form (as it's in sunny South-Asia) or in a creamy form (in colder weather).
When you apply Vaseline to your lips, the petroleum jelly acts as a protective barrier and prevents moisture from escaping. It's not going to add moisture. If you lick your lips before applying Vaseline and nothing else, you might make chapped lips worse because lips don't retain water very well.
Apply a non-irritating lip balm (or lip moisturizer) several times a day and before bed. If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment, such as white petroleum jelly. Ointment seals in water longer than waxes or oils. Slather on a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors.
The lip balm is true to its claims, it does helps repair and heal dry lips. With regular use my lips became smooth and plump. If you have dry chapped or cracked lips then this will be a life saver to you. Overall I absolutely love this lip balm and highly recommended to dry cracked lips.
1. Juice Beauty. Juice Beauty doesn't just want to keep your lips soft—they want to keep your lips safe. These SPF 8 lip moisturizers in particular, are the perfect option for chemical-free sun protection.
Use it as a lip balm
Keep your lips winter-safe by applying a coat of Vaseline on them overnight. Keeping it on overnight will seal in the moisture and soften and smoothen your lips.
Leave the jelly on your lips overnight.
Continue to hydrate yourself, and apply lip balm to prevent your lips from drying out again. The petroleum jelly treatment is recommended to be done about 3 times a week in the winter and once a week in the summer (or when it is a rainy season).
Ingredients that lock in moisture
Marchbein also likes lip ointments with glycerin because they're hydrating. Dimethicone (a silicone derivative that forms a barrier), hemp seed oil, castor seed oil and mineral oil are other great ingredients for healing chapped lips, according to the AAD.
What Did They Use Before Chapstick? Back before Chapstick was invented, ancient civilizations would use pure beeswax, honey, and natural oils to moisturize their lips. However, we've also used some other crazy substances over the years, not limited to glycerin, petroleum jelly, and even earwax!