Well, about 3 weeks ago my lips were so chapped I was reapplying Aquaphor every 5 minutes. The second I could feel it wearing off I'd have to reapply it. I'd get a few minutes of relief and then I could literally feel the moisture being sucked out of my lips again. I couldn't eat anything hot or with the slightest bit of spice. I found that out the hard way and spent the rest of the evening sitting on the sofa with an ice cube on my lips trying to numb the burning. Not only were they on fire, they were BRIGHT RED. Whether I wanted to try out this whole red lip trend or not...I was!
These are just a few that I could find stashed around me. Trust me when I say I tried everything. Organic brands, brands without petroleum, switched my toothpaste and face wash (I was desperate!), I tried pure Vitamin E and Bag Balm. I drank more water. Nothing helped. If one more person recommended Burt's Bee's Wax, I was going to scream! I even made an appointment with my dermatologist who told me it was "the weather" and gave me another tube of Aquaphor...as if I hadn't already gone through 4 tubes of it.
After leaving the dermatologist's office I went by Sephora to get some new foundation. Up near the register in that "travel-size section" I spotted this.
Dr. Lipp Nipple Balm for Lips. The night before I had read briefly about people using lanolin (from the baby aisle) for all kinds of chapped skin so what the heck. What's another $15 lip balm at this point! Within a few hours of buying it, my lips were completely healed. The first few days I used it, I reapplied maybe 3-5 times a day. Now- once or twice!
Did I really just write a blog post about lip balm? Sure did. I spent so much time googling remedies that hopefully this will help someone if they're in the same situation. So thankful I found this stuff!
Tell me about a product that just saved you- you might help someone in the same situation!
I had this problem in high school! The doctor told me that basically once your lips become used to the artificial moisture from the lip balm products (I had always used carmex and blistex), they become dependent on it. So you basically end up addicted to chapstick! I can't remember now what ingredient she said to avoid that creates the "addiction" but she told me specifically to switch to Burt's Bee's (the regular balm, not the fruity or lip glossy ones) and I've never had the issue since. I still get chapped lips, but I don't get addicted!
ReplyDeleteYes!! I read months ago how bad Burts was for your lips so every time suggested it I would think 'you're a victim!!'. They loved it so much because they're addicted to it!
DeleteI am going to get this asap!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling better!
Up there with your old weather (and all of your traveling!) you need it!
DeleteCOLD weather! not old! :)
DeleteI just ordered this after reading your review. I have the worst chapped lips!
ReplyDeletePlease come back and let me know how it works for you!!
DeleteI haven't picked this up yet - I was in a really bad place as far as chapped lips go last week, I ended up using neosporin (like original greasy nasty not to be eaten neosporin) because my lips were so cracked they were bleeding. It helped. Is this real life, can you really get addicted to lip balm?
ReplyDeleteI think I get addicted to being able to "slide my lips". It's a habit and if they aren't slick from lip balm it bothers me. Maybe that's my addiction?
Deletewow... who would have thought. I hateeeee when my lips get so chapped like that. For me it's usually a combo of being dehydrated and the cold weather, but then it hurts too much to drink anything, so it gets worse.
ReplyDeleteSo thanks for reminding me to drink water NOW so it doesn't happen. At least I'll have a good new back up for when I inevitable forget.
I get the worst chapped lips every winter, it's miserable! I just ordered this, I'm hoping it works for me too! Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteActually, the ingredients in many "balms" are not only drying but also carcinogenic. Menthol, phenol and camphor are what provides the addictive tingly sensation and the moisturizers give the illusion of comfort but in the long run they are really bad for you...and they make the problem WORSE! (Those sneaky bastards). The product is patented and those ingredients, though PROVEN unsafe by the FDA are still allowed to be used.
ReplyDeleteI am currently addicted to a product called Grins and Giggles" Moisturizing stick by Gerber. It's actually for baby's faces and they no longer make it! I bought all I could find on ebay years ago and I keep it in my refrigerator! I used to get cold sores ALL THE TIME as a result of dry lips. The Blistex I used only exacerbated the problem. I have not had a cold sore in ten years! I know there will come a day when my supply runs out! I am looking for replacements in advance!
xo
Andie
You poor thing! When I was hospitalized for a kidney stone last year, I had super dry, chapped lips even though my body was being pumped full of fluids via IV. The nurses gave me a travel tube of the same Medela lanolin used for breastfeeding, and I swear I was cured in a day (after I got over the fact that I was using a product on my mouth that was supposed to be used on my 'girls' instead). I remember the stuff being super cheap too, so you may want to give that a shot next go 'round? Glad you found something that worked!
ReplyDeleteThe ingredients on this are 100% medical grade lanolin so it's the same exact thing...just fancier packaging! I felt a little more comfortable taking this little tube out in my meetings than a tube of boob cream. :) :)
DeleteI wanted to suggest the same thing but I can understand why the packaging makes the cost worth it ha! Maybe you can get the "boob cream" for house use only. ;)
DeleteTo echo the above comment, we used Lansinoh (lanolin) from the hospital all the time, and it was definitely the preferred lip/breast product. It's also available at WalMart for a lot less than $15.
ReplyDeleteI've always relied on plain old chapstick medicated, but I'm not a fan of the smell. I may have to try this!
ReplyDeleteWow - sorry for all the trouble you went through, but thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give this product a try too. Thanks for the reco!! Mine aren't chapped but they are dry, often. I'm forever applying lipgloss, which works but is probably not the answer. Maybe this will help before it gets worse. if I couldn't eat spicy food I would cry! Glad you found a remedy!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information! Very helpful. I also love Paula's Choice Lip & Body Treatment Balm, seems to keep the chapped lips at bay. I keep a jar just about everywhere. It is also great on the cuticles. I will remember the product you found for desperate times! I'm glad you are healed!
ReplyDeleteyep. I was going to suggest either medela or lansinoh cream you can buy in the baby aisle at Target or Walmart (it's like $6 maybe?) and 100% lanolin!
ReplyDeleteMy love you, you can't believe you wrote an entire blog post about lip balm? I not only read it but I read every comment! I love this! I think that this is something we all deal with . Right now on my night table are four tins of Rosebud Salve. I use Kiehls, I have bag balm and my purse is loaded with pretty much everything you have above. i am so glad that this story had a happy ending and you found Dr. Lipp. I have a visit to sephora due very soon so I will pick up this baby.
ReplyDeleteI also like Lip Sugar ..it is a little exfoliator that i Put on and it is from sephora .. it scrubs all that dry stuff off and let's you start from scratch..
And it tastes kind of yummy xooxo hugs
Southern Belles need pretty lips. Glad you found your solution!
ReplyDeleteWhen I went on Accutane years ago, my lips were horribly chapped. Even the corners of my mouth cracked and bled. My derm recommended Dr. Dan's CortiBalm. I still use it! I get mine from my dermatologist, but you can order online.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this. My lips are ok right now but I had a similar thing happen to me last year. I tried SO many different things. I am writing this down on Evernote to keep in mind for the future!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm a little late to the party on this one, but I too have suffered with very dry lips. A friend of mine, a makeup artist in CA, told me that Elizabeth Arden's 12 Hour Cream is a favorite backstage at runway shows. I adore it! Healed my chapped lips and now I'm never without a tube.
ReplyDeletethanks for share...
ReplyDelete