Sometimes, dryness and redness on the lips are not caused by the environment, but the very products that are supposed to moisturise and protect them. Isolate and eliminate these ingredients individually to find out which one triggers the allergy, then steer clear of them in your lip balms for a kissable pucker.
#1 Fragrance
Fragrances are used to mask unpleasant smell from chemicals but they’re often the biggest culprit when it comes to causing an allergic reaction — whether they are naturally derived or synthetic. Pick out lip balms that are fragrance-free, or just reach out for good ‘ol Vaseline to moisturise lips.
#2 Essential oils
Some lip balms contain peppermint oil to give lips a fresh, minty sensation when applied. Unfortunately, it’s known to be one of the most common causes of allergy. Other known triggers include eucalyptus, menthol, camphor and limonene.
#3 Propolis
Beeswax is a common ingredient that’s used in lip balms to hydrate and seal in moisture, but they’re also known to contain propolis — a resin-like substance which is used by bees as a glue to fill in cracks in beehives. Propolis can cause an allergic reaction, so omit lip products which contain beeswax if you suspect that it’s the cause of dryness and flaky lips.
#4 Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives in skin care products and cosmetics. The most common names for parabens found in cosmetics are butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben, so take note of these ingredients in your lip balm if you think they’re the cause of the allergy.