By Noor Rafi
Winter season comes with dry, chapped lips and sometimes even sores and blisters. If there’s one thing that can save your lips from further damage, it’s a medicated lip balm. With added benefits and healing powers of protective ingredients, this might be your ultimate lip savior. Read on to discover what is medicated lip balm and do you need one.
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What Is Medicated Lip Balm
Lip balm is a winter essential for almost all of us. When the cold wind and dryness hits, your lips and skin are immediately under attack. Swiping a lip balm usually provides a basic level of hydration. But what makes medicated lip balm so special?
Quite different from a regular lip balm, a medicated lip balm is infused with specific ingredients to protect the lips from further damage and offer pain relief.
Chapped lips are often a result of dehydration or environmental factors, as well as medical conditions like vitamin deficiencies and allergies. Severely chapped lips can even cause pain and bleeding. An ultra-intense hydrating and healing medicated lip balm can provide long-lasting relief.
Here are some ways a medicated lip balm works its magic.
Unique Formula
A medicated lip balm is a special formulation containing special ingredients to treat certain lip conditions and speed up the natural healing process.
They usually contain a combination of sun protectants like titanium and zinc oxide. A lip balm containing SPF 15 or higher can shield the lips from sunburn.
Most of these balms also contain collagen, eucalyptus, menthol, camphor, chamomile essence, or shea butter to provide a soothing sensation to painful lips.
Medicated lip balms also contain antioxidants to give your lips a good protection level. You can even find analgesic formulas to minimize the pain of sore lips or blisters temporarily.
Prevents Cracking On The Lips
Cracked lips can feel extremely uncomfortable. The cracks can start bleeding, which is a whole new story. A medicated lip balm directly works on severe symptoms like peeling, flaking, and cracking.
Lip healing ingredients like lanolin, beeswax, vitamin E, and nourishing butters are often infused in medicated lip balms. All you need to do is slather it on, and you’ll wake up with silky, smooth lips with little to no cracks.
These balms are not only excellent at healing the lips. They even prevent the lips from drying out in the first place.
Helps Prevent Cold Sores
Cold sores are painful blisters on the lips. A medicated lip balm can relieve the condition and prevent it from occurring. Formulas containing zinc oxide are especially good at inhibiting viral reproduction.
Hydrocortisone is another topical ingredient used in medicated lip balms. It reduces inflammation, relieves soreness, and makes your lips feel much better.
Plus, no harsh chemicals or fragrances are used in the balm as these can delay the healing process or irritate damaged lips.
Most Are Formulated For Severe Dryness
If you’re stuck with stubbornly dry lips, a medicated lip balm can rescue you. It has ultra-hydrating and deeply moisturizing ingredients that work even on the driest lips.
These balms are made in a waxy consistency that deeply penetrates the lips.
Medicated lip balms are also more long-lasting as they form a thick layer of moisture over the lips. Petroleum jelly, glycerin, and petrolatum are used in these lip balms to help retain moisture.
With the help of a hydrating medicated lip balm, your lips can quickly go from dry and chapped to soft and luxurious.
Something For Everyone
You are not limited to a few options when it comes to medicated lip balms. No matter what lip condition you wish to tackle, there is a different formula.
It’s easy to get confused by all the choices, so we’ve compiled the best medicated lip balms for different lip problems.
Best Medicated Lip Balm For Extremely Dry Lip
Blistex Medicated Lip Balm
If you’re looking for maximum hydration, you can count on Blistex to pack your lips with lasting moisture. It is a classic, well-known brand and a cult favorite among the masses.
This medicated lip balm instantly relieves chapped, dry lips and prevents them from occurring.
It contains three types of protectants and sunscreen to keep your lips from further damage. it also has an easy glide formula that is easy to apply and soothing for cracked lips.
This medicated balm is great at sealing in moisture as it is an advanced formula to alleviate lip dryness.
Best Medicated Lip Balm For Cold Sores
Dr. Dans Cortibalm Lip Balm
Lips that are dry and painful due to cold sores, fever blisters, or allergies can find relief using Dan’s Cortibalm lip balm. It contains a blend of natural beeswax extract, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, and the star ingredient, hydrocortisone which works as a topical medicine.
You can use this medicated lip balm for redness, itching, swelling, or any lip discomfort. Most dermatologists recommend this lip balm as it is hypoallergenic and safe for most skin disorders.
Your lips will recover quickly using this medicated lip balm, which shows results within 24 hours. Start applying it when you notice a cold sore developing, and you’ll feel the effects instantly.
This is a top-notch formula for anyone seeking relief from unpleasant lip conditions. Another bonus is that this medicated balm never expires.
Best Medicated Lip Balm For Sun Protection
Dermatone Medicated Lip Balm
Do you want to enjoy the outdoor life while protecting your lips from extreme weather conditions and the harsh sun? This Dermatone Medicated Lip Balm will keep you covered as it contains a powerful sunscreen containing SPF 30.
Additional nourishing ingredients like sunflower seed oil, aloe, and tea tree oil work together to restore, repair, and replenish chapped lips.
The formula is long-lasting and does not need to be reapplied often, which gives this product extra points.
Also, the formula doesn’t get cold or stiff even when the outside temperature is quite low. It slides on like a dream and keeps your lips protected for hours.
Best Medicated Lip Balm With A Pop Of Color
Maybelline’s Dr. Rescue Baby Lips
Just because you’re using a medicated lip balm doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a tint of color too. Maybelline’s Dr. Rescue Baby Lips is worth considering for smooth and rosy lips.
It delivers flake-free results and adds subtle color and sheen to the lips. The formula also contains eucalyptus and menthol that gives a soothing, icy sensation to the lip area. This helps minimize the pain of cracking lips.
You can use it throughout the day or wear it overnight for an extra dose of hydration. Plus, this lip balm is great value for money, considering the beautiful shade options and good results.
How to Choose The Right Medicated Lip Balm
You must consider several factors before picking the medicated lip balm that best serves you. This usually depends on your needs and the severity of your condition.
Let’s take a look at some of the main factors you need to consider:
Ingredients
Take a good look at the ingredients mentioned on the packaging to decide what suits you better. Are you looking for sun protection? Do you want a balm offering pain relief? Or is a tinted balm more suited to your lifestyle?
One important tip is to look for lip balms containing occlusive ingredients that help retain moisture. Some of these ingredients include hyaluronic acid, silicone, squalene, petrolatum, shea butter, and different types of waxes.
Irritant-free
Some medicated lip balms contain cooling agents like menthol and camphor. However, these can be irritating for those with sensitive skin. If your skin gets easily irritated, look out for lip balm exfoliators.
Salicylic acid and physical granules or plumping ingredients like capsaicin should be avoided.
Consider your allergies
Before you choose a medicated lip balm, you should know your allergies. For instance, beeswax is often used in these formulas, and some people are allergic to it. Also, check the fragrances, oils, and dyes used in the lip balm.
You should always watch how your body and skin react to certain ingredients. If there’s any confusion, always consult a doctor first.
In Conclusion
Using a traditional lip balm is not always enough– an advanced moisturizing product is a must to get the job done. Also, remember to drink a good amount of water regularly, as you need to be hydrated from the inside too. Now is the time to get your hand on a medicated lip balm, so your lips are healed and comfy. So, nourish your lips deeply and enjoy your moisturized pout.
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