This weeks blog posts are all about Lips! We will start with taking care of them so they will be kissable by New Year’s Eve! Friday I will post a step-by-step guide for applying your New Year’s Eve lipstick, which will guaranteed long lasting color and luscious, kissable lips.
Prevent winter lips
They flake. They peel. They crack. They hurt. In addition, they are about as kissable as sandpaper. Nobody wants chapped lips. But cold, dry, or windy conditions or just some bad luck in the genes department can definitely dry out and roughen up one of the most tender and sensitive sections of your face.
Who knew that choosing a product to calm sensitive, dry and chapped lips could prove so deadly or addictive?
Have you watched your teen or any of their friends recently, say for over 20 minutes or so and noticed how often they apply the famous-named lip balms? You will be amazed when you do. The number of times is frightening and unfortunately scream of a full fledged addiction, just like alcohol or drug addictions.
Lip Balm Anonymous.Com
Thank goodness that in 1995, a self proclaimed Chap Stick addict, Kevin C. came to his senses and after others mentioning that he had a problem he began to notice it himself. According to Kevin, he knew deep down that he was addicted and that the amount of Chap Stick that he used was unhealthy, both mentally and physically.
He turned to friends who had used 12-step programs to overcome other addictions and adapted a program of his own to help wean himself away from the product. After being Chap Stick free for over 200 days, Kevin C. decided to spread the word and he has done that brilliantly.
After numerous national TV, Internet TV & Radio, and other media events and appearances he launched the Blog-enabled LipBalmAnoymous.com site, which is a treasure-trove of resources and information.
Using lip balm regularly is not necessarily the best way to keep lips moist and prevent chapped lips.
All lip balms, no matter what their ingredients, are basically a way to replace or add to the normal, moisture-retaining barrier of the skin.
What Are Lip Balms?
Generally, lip balms are made from menthol, scented oils, beeswax, camphor, petroleum jelly, and other different components like alum, salicylic acid, and vitamins. When buying lip balms, there are certain factors that need to be considered. You want to be sure that there are not ingredients included to dry out the lips more, creating the need for repeated and frequent use.
You want to avoid the following ingredients;
Phenol – this treats bacteria on broken, cracked and/or bleeding lips and should only be used for a very short time until the problem heals over.
Camphor, Alum & Menthol - very drying and creates that tingling feeling that becomes a psychological need.
Salicylic Acid or AHA or BHA exfoliating & anti-aging ingredients – exfoliate and dries out already dry lips.
Flavored lip balms taste great, which sets up the desire to lick your lips more often, which again creates dry lips.
Basically, all lip balms are created for the same purpose and are definitely effective on their own ways. However, it is still important to choose lip balms that contain simple substances. This is to be sure that using lip balms will not irritate your chapped, dry lips.
Look for the super comfort ingredients.
When buying lip balm, it is best to buy those that contain vegetable oils like olive oil and almond oil. These particular types of vegetable oils are useful in bringing back the natural oils to the lips. Petroleum is the tried, true and simplest ingredient you can use. Vitamin E Sticks* are also an excellent choice.
Consider the kind of lip service you want from your lip balm.
Do you want to use it as an everyday alternative to lip-gloss? Are you looking for medical treatment with regards to your super dry, heavily chapped lips? Do you want to provide some sun-block protection to your lips? Or do you just want to have that super protection that you had been longing to have? Lip balm uses may vary from the everyday lip care to the super-protection lip balms.
Consider the kind of weather you have where you live or are traveling to.
How often should you use lip balm to prevent your lips from chapping? It depends on where you live and the time of the year. For example, if you live in Denver, the typical weather or climatic condition would be very dry and cold in the winter, and there is a lot of sun. You would most likely use a non-medicated lip balm on a daily basis, applying it a couple of times a day. If your area is less dry, less cold, or less sunny, you may be able to use lip balm less frequently.
Choose a lip balm with sunscreen.
The lips take a solar beating just like the other areas of the face that are exposed to sunlight, but they typically do not get protection from sunscreen. That is why it experts strongly suggest using a lip balm with a sun-blocking ingredient. People, however, should be wary of using lip balms with sunscreen protection elements.
Some people are sensitive to sunscreen, and their lips can become chapped because they are using it on their lips. If you notice any itching or redness, go back to a lip balm without the extra protection. Just use the white Zinc Oxide cream when in the direct sunlight. Other times protect your lips by wearing a wide brimmed head covering.
Observe the lip balms you have bought and are buying.
It is really hard to distinguish the different ingredients in lip balms and its propensity to cure chapped lips. In fact, as we have discussed, there are instances wherein some lip balms can even make the matter worst.
It is extremely important to note if a certain brand of lip balm can actually do more harm than good. If this is the case, then, it would be better to find another brand and look for the possible ingredient that could have caused the irritation.
Indeed, it has been said before but it certainly bears repeating: The fastest way for a woman to update her look is by simply swiping a flattering shade of lipstick over her kisses. However, this is not possible if you have dry, chapped lips.
For additional information please visit Kevin’s site at http://lipbalmanonymous.com
*If you purchase a Vitamin E Stick to use on your lips be sure to mark it “lips only” and not use the same stick around your eyes.