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You use chapstick every day — 100 times a day — and yet your lips are still chapped. There are days when you can swear your mouth is even more dry because of your chapstick.
So, what's the deal?
Simple: all chapsticks are not created equal. And if you're using one of the worst chapsticks that contains any of these ingredients, you could be making your chapped lips even worse.
Photos: Shutterstock
The Worst Chapstick Ingredients
One of the most common ingredients in chapstick, and one that can cause allergies, is petrolatum. Depending on how the company refined its petrolatum, it could contain carinogens. And, even if it doesn't, petrolatum creates a barrier on lips so that moisture can't escape or get in. It's one ingredient that can have the opposite effect on your lips and cause more dryness.
If your chapstick is made with phenol or artificial colors and fragrances, it doesn't deserve a spot on your shelf. These chemicals can cause skin irritation and damage to internal organs. So not worth it.
So, what should you look for in a quality chapstick?
Chapstick Ingredients That Are Natural And Effective
Look no further than mother nature when choosing a chapstick. Ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, honey and argan or almond oil are all capable of softening and moisturizing lips and aren't harmful to your health. You can even make your own natural lip treatment — combinating a half teaspoon of raw honey with a half teaspoon of olive oil. Your dry flakes will disappear and your lip balm is so safe you can eat it.
