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Short answer: Lip balm is a waxy, moisturizing cosmetic that sits on the lips to keep them soft and comfortable. A good one has a short ingredient list and a flavour you like, and avoids strong menthol, fragrance and flavourings if your lips are dry. Apply it through the day and before bed.
Key takeaways
- Lips have no oil glands of their own, so a balm gives them a layer of wax and oil.
- Choose a short ingredient list; menthol, camphor, fragrance and strong mint or citrus flavours can bother dry lips.
- Petroleum jelly is a common, accepted ingredient; balms made with waxes, butters and oils feel different and suit people who prefer to avoid petroleum.
- Licking your lips dries them faster, so reach for balm instead.
- If your lips stay dry, cracked or sore after a few weeks of gentle care, see a doctor or dermatologist.
Knightsmen Recommends
Organic Lip Balm | Coconut Flavored
A lip balm with a light coconut flavour. Its ingredient list includes beeswax, and the product page states no parabens.
Shop Now →Why do men need lip balm?
Lips have thinner, more sensitive skin than the rest of your body, and Cleveland Clinic explains that this is because they contain no oil glands of their own. They are also exposed: chapped lips commonly occur in cold or hot dry weather, and wind and dry indoor heating add to it.
Licking makes it worse. The American Academy of Dermatology says licking dry lips can worsen the problem, because as saliva evaporates your lips become drier. A lip balm gives you something to reach for instead. Many men skip lip care until their lips already feel dry, but a balm is small, inexpensive and takes seconds to apply. If you wear a moustache or beard, apply it to your lips and wipe any excess from the hair.
What should you look for in a lip balm?
Look for a short ingredient list built on simple waxes, butters and oils, in a flavour and scent you like. These are the ones you will see most often.
| Ingredient | What it is | How it feels in a balm |
|---|---|---|
| Beeswax | A natural wax from bees | Gives the balm its body and leaves a light coating on the lips |
| Shea butter | A soft, rich plant fat from the shea nut | Creamy, and softens with the warmth of your skin |
| Coconut oil | A plant oil that is firm when cool | Melts on warm lips and gives the balm its glide |
Check what a balm leaves out as well. The American Academy of Dermatology lists camphor, eucalyptus, menthol, phenol, salicylic acid, fragrance and flavourings, especially cinnamon, citrus, mint and peppermint, among the ingredients that can irritate dry, chapped lips. If your lips burn, sting or tingle after you apply a product, stop using it.
Is petroleum jelly bad in a lip balm?
No. Petrolatum, also called petroleum jelly, is a widely used ingredient, and the American Academy of Dermatology lists petrolatum and white petroleum jelly among the ingredients it suggests looking for in a lip product. It forms a layer on the surface of the lips.
Balms made with waxes, butters and oils do a similar job with a different feel: usually creamier and less slick, with their own scent. Some people simply prefer to avoid petroleum-derived ingredients. Neither type is a treatment, and neither is better for everyone.
A dermatologist quoted by Cleveland Clinic says lip balm is not addictive in the physical sense, though it can become a habit, and that ingredients such as phenol, menthol and salicylic acid can leave lips feeling drier. That is why the ingredient list is worth reading.
When should you apply lip balm?
Apply lip balm whenever your lips start to feel dry, and tie it to moments you already have each day. A thin layer you actually reapply is easier to keep up than an occasional thick one.
- Morning. Apply it after you wash your face and put on beard oil, before you head out.
- Before going outside. Cold wind and dry air are hard on lips, so apply before your commute, a workout or time outdoors.
- After eating and drinking. Both wear a balm off, so reapply after meals, especially in cold or dry weather.
- Before bed. An overnight layer lasts longer because you are not eating or drinking.
How should you adjust lip care through the year?
Adjust how often you apply balm to the weather rather than the calendar.
- Winter. Cold air, wind and indoor heating all dry the lips, so apply more often: in the morning, before going outside, after meals and before bed. Keep a tube in your jacket pocket so it is always within reach.
- Summer. Air conditioning, travel and pool or salt water can leave lips feeling dry. Keep a tube in your bag and reapply after swimming.
- Spring and fall. Weather swings from warm days to cold nights and back, so carry a tube, keep to a regular morning and evening routine and reapply as needed.
What lip care mistakes do men make?
The most common mistakes are habits rather than products.
- Licking your lips. Saliva evaporates quickly and leaves lips drier, so breaking the habit is one of the simplest changes.
- Waiting until lips are cracked. Reaching for balm only when your lips already hurt means you are always catching up. Regular use is easier than reacting.
- Picking or biting dry skin. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against both.
- Choosing a strongly flavoured or medicated balm. Menthol, camphor and strong flavours can leave dry lips feeling worse, which leads people to reapply again and again.
- Ignoring lips that do not settle. The American Academy of Dermatology says to see a board-certified dermatologist if lips do not improve after two to three weeks of gentle care.
Which Knightsmen lip balms are there?
We make two organic lip balms, and both are handcrafted in small batches in Toronto, Canada. Each lists beeswax among its ingredients, and the product pages state no parabens. Check the ingredient tab on each product page for the full list. Both are compact enough to carry everywhere.
| Lip balm | Flavour |
|---|---|
| Organic Lip Balm | Coconut Flavored | A light coconut scent, not candy-sweet |
| Organic Lip Balm | Vanilla Flavored | A light, subtle vanilla |
See the full organic lip balm collection. Lip balm is easy to overlook in a grooming kit, so add a tube to the order when you buy one of our grooming bundles and gift sets.
Frequently asked questions
Is lip balm necessary for men?
It is not essential, but it is useful. Lips have no oil glands of their own, according to Cleveland Clinic, and they are exposed to cold, wind and dry air. A simple balm is a small, inexpensive way to keep them comfortable, and it takes only seconds to apply.
Can you get addicted to lip balm?
Not in the physical sense, according to a dermatologist quoted by Cleveland Clinic, although using it can become a habit. Ingredients such as phenol, menthol and salicylic acid can leave lips feeling drier, which leads people to reapply. If you find yourself reapplying constantly, check the label for those ingredients.
How often should I apply lip balm?
As often as your lips feel dry. A practical routine is in the morning, before going outside, after meals and before bed, with extra applications in cold, dry weather. If your lips burn or sting after you apply a product, stop using it and try a simpler one.
Which flavours and ingredients can bother dry lips?
The American Academy of Dermatology lists camphor, menthol, phenol, salicylic acid, eucalyptus, fragrance and flavourings among the ingredients to avoid while lips are dry or chapped, and says cinnamon, citrus, mint and peppermint flavours can be especially irritating. Look for simple formulas and a flavour you tolerate well.
When should I see a doctor about my lips?
If your lips stay dry, cracked or sore after two to three weeks of gentle care, the American Academy of Dermatology advises seeing a board-certified dermatologist. Cleveland Clinic advises seeing a healthcare provider if chapped lips will not go away or get worse. A lip balm is a cosmetic and is no substitute for that visit.
Related guides
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic: chapped lips, causes and prevention
- Cleveland Clinic: are lip balms bad for you, and could they be addictive?
- American Academy of Dermatology: dermatologists' tips for dry, chapped lips
Knightsmen Grooming products are cosmetics. This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have a skin or scalp condition, or sudden changes in your hair, see a doctor or dermatologist.
