When it comes to our beauty routine, there plenty of are tips and tricks we rely on to get the most out of our products. We know the parts of our face to never apply blush to and we’ve got the correct order to apply our skin care products down to a fine science. As for our chapstick? Outside of discussing the best lip balms available, *cough Blistex cough* this is a straightforward process that basically comes as second nature. However, it turns out there’s one minor change you can make to your lip balm application that’s going to fast track the healing of that dry, chapped pout. The secret? Damp lips.
In the same way we’re advised to apply particular serums such as hyaluronic acid to damp skin to ensure better absorption, the same can be said for our lip balm. Makes sense, no?
Why should we apply lip balm to damp lips?
As many lip balm formulations are focused on fighting dehydration, it’s likely their ingredient list will feature several popular humectants in order to do so. Humectants – which include ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and shea butter – are designed to work like a sponge by attracting water to the surface of our skin.
For the same reasons we recommend applying your moisturiser when you get out of the shower or using a facial mist before your HA serum, your lip balm is going to lock in moisture better if it’s been applied to a damp base. Lightbulb moment.
Doesn’t licking your lips dry them out?
Ah, technically yes. Don’t confuse the idea of dampening your lips with lathering your pout with saliva at every waking moment. Saliva contains enzymes which will actually result in additional dryness. As you can understand, this kind of defeats the purpose.
Lip balms we recommend:
Blistex® Lip Infusions Hydration
“The benefit of this lip balm is that it has SPF15 and Vitamin E to lock the hydration in without that heavy oily feel on the lips. The perfect thing about it is that it is the ideal size for any type of handbag you have. I have bought 3 of these lip balms so I can have it everywhere I go.” – AAstacey
Want to know more? Read Blistex® Lip Infusions Hydration reviews here…
$5.49 at Chemist Warehouse
Natio Shea Butter Lip Balm
“This is an amazing lip balm. Inexpensive and fabulously moisturising. It’s so great for dry lips or any lips that want protection from fickle weather. It’s very smooth. Gliding on easily and not sticky or thick. Although you can apply it a couple of times if you want a thicker feel.” – Slim
Want to know more? Read Natio Shea Butter Lip Balm reviews here…
$4.95 at Myer
Plunkett’s Suvana Beauty Natural Vegan Paw Paw & Coconut Balm
This 100 per cent natural, vegan balm is the lip-hydrating product we’ve all been searching for. With its multi-purpose lip-soothing benefits, dry cracked lips will be a thing of the past. Made right here in Australia, the formula is also importantly made without any lip-harming chemical ingredients.
Want to read more? Read Plunkett’s Suvana Beauty Natural Vegan Paw Paw & Coconut Balm Reviews here…
$8.95 at The Well Store
Main image credit: @voguebeauty
Have you ever tried this lip balm hack? If not, do you have any hydrating lip hacks of your own?
I’d never thought of doing this.
I’ve never thought of this before! *Grabs Blistex…*