If that multi-purpose balm that lives in your handbag or jacket pocket is only being used on your chapped lips, get ready for your mind to be blown.
RELATED: A guide to SPF for darker complexions
RELATED: How to structure a basic skin care routine using active ingredients
This Swiss Army knife of beauty products (which you’ve only been using for one thing!) will soon heal ailments and be your go-to for achieving a dewy complexion.
And according to Kate Bosworth, you can even use it on the ends of your lashes for a thicker, fuller effect.
For anyone confused by what on earth a multi-use balm even is, we are referring to a skin care formula that’s typically thick in consistency, colourless and scent-free. It’s purpose in a nutshell is to nourish and hydrate skin.
Our faves include:
- Lano Lips 101 Ointment
- Sukin Naturals Paw Paw Ointment
- Weleda Skin Food
- Aquaphor
- Trilogy Everything Balm
- Vaseline
Got one of those or something like it? Get ready to use it for basically everything…
40 ways to use a multi-purpose balm
- To treat dry lips
- Apply over lipstick to add shine
- To treat dry cuticles
- To soothe mosquito, spider or various insect bites or stings
- To smooth hair fly-aways
- To treat cracked elbows
- As a dewy highlighter on cheekbones
- To treat cracked nipples
- To treat nappy rash
- To offer relief from psoriasis
- To heal grazes if you’ve fallen over
- To soothe sunburn
- To ease chafing
- As a protective barrier for eczema and dermatitis
- To treat pash rash
- To heal minor burns
- To hydrate cracked pet paws
- To treat cracked heels
- To remove eye makeup
- To prevent split ends
- Use it as a perfume base for longer lasting scent
- To help remove tight rings off your finger
- As a barrier to prevent hair, brow or lash dye staining skin
- As an eyelash conditioner
- To lubricate stubborn door hinges
- To lift stubborn makeup stains
- To turn powder, or pigment makeup into cream products
- Acts as a barrier for nail polish bleeding onto skin
- As a leather polish
- Apply to dry skin spots before applying fake tan
- To help insert piercings with ease
- As a base of lip or body scrubs
- To prevent nail polish lids glueing to the bottle
- To stop razors from rusting
- As a dewy finish on eyelids
- To tame unruly brow hairs
- To define lashes
- Applied to nipples during a run to avoid rubbing
- To soothe freshly waxed or lasered skin
- To soothe a dry, red nose during a cold
Do you get the most out of your balms? What is the most obscure way you’ve ever used one?
I use paw paw for mosquito bites. It stops the itching
That’s good to know. I didn’t know you could use lip balm on eczema
So do I it’s great value for money
thankyou so much for letting me know, i will remember that
So many uses. I would never have thought to use as a base for perfume though. Must try this if I can remember. Other uses make sense and was aware of so many but I would not use in my hair because it is so fine, also brows would just look greasy for me.
Great suggestions. New ideas for using a beauty balm which I can’t wait to try
We’re talking about multi-purpose balms here lol
I love using a multi purpose balm but I think using it as a makeup product would be a bit sticky.
Interesting article! Has convinced me to give the Lanolips 101 ointment a try!
wow! Who knew? Must get that Trilogy everything balm!
So versatile always have one in my handbag
Not sure about it being a nipple cream, is it safe for bub???
Lanolips ointment I use on my lips and on dry spots on my face.
Such a helpful article. A lot of these uses I knew of and a lot I didn’t and will definitely be using in future with my balms.
This is a pretty comprehensive list! I use Vaseline for heel & toe blisters & corns.
I think is is very nice to know about how to use multipurpose balm it’s very nice to using the balm as for the body mosituriser as well..
I really like Sukin’s Paw Paw Ointment. I just bought another tube of it.
Still —–WOW!
I have to try some of these for sure.