5 Things to Stop Doing with Your Lip Balm (and Your Lips Will Thank You!)

Lip balm is a must-have for most of us, but let’s face it—some of us are doing it wrong. Whether you’re slathering it on like you’re frosting a cake or buying balms that are secretly sabotaging your lips, it’s time to stop the madness. Here are five things to STOP doing with your lip balm, complete with a look at ingredients that should never, ever touch your pout.

 

1. Stop Treating It Like a Snack

We get it—your coconut-flavored lip balm smells like a tropical paradise. But licking your lips or chomping on your balm is not the way to satisfy your snack cravings. Not only does this dry out your lips, but it also means you’re ingesting whatever’s in the balm. If your lip balm contains petroleum jelly or parabens, you might as well add “chemical cocktail” to your diet.

 

Pro tip: Stick to lip balms with food-grade, safe ingredients like tallow, beeswax, or natural oils. Bonus? They’ll keep your lips moisturized without tasting like regret.

 

2. Stop Hoarding the Ones That Don’t Work

We all have that one lip balm rolling around at the bottom of our purse, crusty and abandoned. If it hasn’t healed your lips yet, it’s not going to. And if it contains phenol or menthol, it might actually be making your lips worse by stripping away moisture.

Dump the duds and find a lip balm that actually does its job—like one made with nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, tallow, or cocoa butter. Your lips deserve better than an endless cycle of chapping and disappointment.

3. Stop Using It as a Science Experiment

“Can I use this lip balm to tame my eyebrows? What about as a highlighter? Will it fix my squeaky door hinge?” Sure, lip balm is versatile, but let’s draw the line somewhere. Smearing it on everything except your lips means you’re probably wasting a good product. And if that balm contains artificial fragrances or phthalates, you’re rubbing toxic chemicals into places they don’t belong.

Stick to lip balm for its intended use—or at least make sure it’s all-natural before turning it into your personal science project.

4. Stop Buying the Glitter Bombs

We love a little sparkle as much as the next person, but glittery lip balms? Let’s be real—they’re more for Instagram than actual hydration. Many glitter balms use microplastics, which are terrible for the environment and not much better for your lips.

Instead, opt for a balm that’s both pretty and practical. Look for products with natural mica or eco-glitter if you absolutely must shine. Or better yet, let your smile do the sparkling.

5. Stop Forgetting to Read the Ingredients

We’ve all been guilty of impulse-buying that cute lip balm with the fun label, only to realize later it’s basically scented wax. If the ingredient list looks like it belongs in a science lab (hello, butylated hydroxyanisole), put it down.

Stick to balms with ingredients you can actually pronounce, like tallow, beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils. They’re not just better for your lips—they’re better for the planet, too.

The Bottom Line

Lip balm should be your lips’ best friend, not their sworn enemy. Ditch the bad habits and upgrade to a balm that nourishes, heals, and protects. Your lips will thank you—and so will everyone you’re kissing.

Got a favorite lip balm? Try ours! With flavors like cherry, coconut, and peppermint (and only the best ingredients), your lips are in for a treat—no licking required.