Neither Chapstick nor Vaseline is universally "better"; Vaseline (petroleum jelly) excels at sealing moisture in, acting as a strong barrier, while many Chapsticks offer added benefits like SPF and humectants, but some can irritate with ingredients like menthol or salicylic acid, potentially worsening dryness in a cycle. For severely chapped lips, a thick ointment like Vaseline is often recommended to lock in moisture, but for daily use, a non-irritating, SPF-containing balm is best for protection, says the American Academy of Dermatology.
Vaseline is a petroleum based ointment. Vaseline and similar products like chapsticks can actually cause lip and skin drying if used long term. While in Some cases short term use may protect skin, long term use may have the opposite effect.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to help treat dry skin in pregnancy: Moisturize regularly. A product like Vaseline® Jelly is great if you're experiencing dry skin when pregnant as it creates a sealing barrier to lock in moisture.
Apply a non-irritating lip balm (or lip moisturizer) several times a day and before bed. If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment, such as white petroleum jelly. Ointment seals in water longer than waxes or oils. Slather on a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors.
Longer term chapped lips could also be a sign of: A form of cheilitis that's caused by infection (your doctor may recommend a biopsy or sample) Angular cheilitis, which is connected to some autoimmune disorders (your doctor may do a blood test) An allergic reaction (allergy testing may help)
Dry, chapped lips can signal deficiencies in essential nutrients, particularly B vitamins (like B2, B3, B6, B12), iron, and zinc, but also sometimes omega-3s or vitamin D, often alongside other factors like dehydration, sun exposure, allergies, or medications. Addressing this involves dietary changes to boost these nutrients and using lip balms, but persistent issues warrant a doctor visit to rule out underlying conditions.
Since petroleum products are 'occlusive', they block oxygen and moisture from flowing in and out of your skin cells which can trap bacteria and dead skin cells. from naturally sloughing off. Dry skin is one thing, but dry, acne prone skin with breakouts is even worse!
Key Natural and Organic Ingredients for Healthy Lips
Yes, Burt's Bees is generally considered good for lips, offering natural ingredients like beeswax and oils that moisturize and soothe, but experiences vary, with some users finding certain formulas excellent for dryness while others report they didn't work or even caused irritation, so trying different varieties (like the Original Beeswax or Ultra Conditioning) is recommended.
All of these ingredients act as occlusives, which means they create a physical barrier to seal in moisture and protect the lips from irritants.
While Vaseline helps seal moisture into the skin, some experts have suggested that it may also trap in oil and dirt. As such, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) warn that people who are prone to acne may experience breakouts after applying Vaseline to the face.
Petroleum jelly: Petroleum Jelly application regularly several times in a day, helps in locking the moisture in the breasts making the nipples not itchy and maintaining smooth skin. Hydration: Drinking a lot of fluids helps in reducing the dry skin, which is also one of the reasons causing itchiness in the nipples.
Retin-A, Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate
While it's important to have an adequate amount of vitamin A for your baby's development, it's best to avoid these vitamin A derivatives, which can negatively affect the development of your baby.
Aloe Vera: Aloe vera can hydrate your lips effectively. You can buy a gel-like substance and apply it to them. If your lips are very dry, it can provide you with immediate relief. Fortunately, aloe vera is very inexpensive.
Can you put Vaseline on your lips? If you have dry, chapped lips that constantly cause you discomfort, the short answer is yes, you absolutely can. Petroleum jelly is chemically similar to proteins in our skin, so it's actually one of the best things you can put on the dry areas of your body!
5 Simple Home Remedies to Get Pink Lips Naturally
This Burts bees beeswax lip balm is not recommended for those with allergic reactions of the lips, because it contains multiple essential oils that serve as fragrance additives and that are known for potentially triggering allergic reactions, including limonene, linalool, and eugenol.
Healthy Lip Balms
Burt's Bees PFAS Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleges that the company does not disclose to consumers that its mascara, lip gloss, and lip shimmer products contain PFAS.
7 Ingredients to Avoid
Sometime in the 1890s Dr. Fleet created what we now call ChapStick'®. Hoping to prevent and treat chapped lips, Dr. Fleet's original iteration resembled a small candle without a wick, wrapped in foil.
Simply layer organic honey over your lips, let it soak in for around 15 minutes, then remove with warm water. This will draw moisture to your lips and soften dead skin cells so that they lift easily when you move on to step 2.
Petrolatum is known for creating a layer over your lips. Often we end up applying the petroleum jelly around the mouth region. This may clog pores and lead to breakouts.
But, more than likely, this dryness and crusting is an inflammatory skin condition called angular cheilitis, or AC. AC is commonly mistaken for cold sores. It can also resemble chapped lips, which is understandable, says Howard Rubin, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners North Dallas.
It will only trap in moisture that is already there. So wetting your lips prior to applying will add hydration that the vaseline seals in.