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It doesn’t matter if your a beauty girl or a grown man, everyone gets chapped lips. Lip balm is a skincare essential. But what is the actually difference between lip balm and Chapstick? Is one better than the other? A lip balm is an ointment that is used to soothe the lips. There are typically made with a blend of oils and beeswax that work by forming a protective layer over the skin that prevents the loss of moisture (read more here). Chapstick is actually just a brand of lip balm. However, the term “chapstick” is often used synonymously for the term lip balm.
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 example, the Glossier Balm Dotcom ($12) is a universal skin salve. This means you can use it to moisturize areas other than your lips, like your hands, elbows and cuticles. It can even be used to create a “glossy” makeup look.
It’s better to opt for lip balm that comes in a jar or a tube because it has a variety of uses. To get the most out of your lip balm, pick an unflavored or unscented option. This will make it easier to use on other areas of your body. While there’s nothing wrong with using Chapstick, it’s a little awkward to rub a tube of it all over your hands. Stick with a balm because it has more than one use.
Many people worry that lip balm can be “addictive.” This is because some lip balm ingredients, like salicylic acid and alcohol, which seem soothing but actually dry out your lips, which causes you to apply more product. Find out which lip balms have the best ingredients that are good for your lips here.
For more beauty tips, check out which type of hairbrush is right for your hair type and best drugstore hair tools.
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