Self-love for your lips: Best Chapsticks
By Britta Miller
April 14, 2021
When we were kids, the LipSmacker Coca-Cola chapstick was a must-have for school. Now, things have changed a little, and we’ve shifted from preferring sweet scents to more nourishing products that make our lips feel and look amazing. But which products are the best? We’ve asked around campus and here’s what we found.
Image Credit: Britta Miller for The Campus Trainer
Junior government and policy major Abby Audlin lives by this lip conditioner.
“This stuff keeps your lips SO soft, it's not like a chapstick, you dip your finger into it, and it doesn't dry out your lips,” she said.
This is definitely a pricier find, at $22 on BeautyCounter. The lip conditioner comes in peppermint and calendula, which produces a sweet scent, derived from the daisy family.
“This stuff keeps your lips SO soft, it's not like a chapstick, you dip your finger into it, and it doesn't dry out your lips,” she said.
This is definitely a pricier find, at $22 on BeautyCounter. The lip conditioner comes in peppermint and calendula, which produces a sweet scent, derived from the daisy family.
Image Credit: Britta Miller for The Campus Trainer
Sophomore marketing and operations management business analytics major Julia Glasgow has been a loyal Burt’s Bees customer since high school.
“It's the only chapstick I've used for six years, I won't use anything else and I carry it everywhere,” she said.
She recommends the brand because she feels “it’s the most moisturizing,” and she also noted that “the mint flavor is superior because it’s refreshing.”
Interestingly enough, Jeanie Sparks, a physician assistant at Advanced Dermatology, Hunt Valley, says that beeswax, which is a main ingredient in Burt’s Bee, sometimes causes irritation.
Her main advice is that less is more. Some over-the-counter products she recommends are Aquaphor Healing Ointment by Eucerin, Vaseline, CeraVe Healing Ointment, and Vanicream Moisturizing Ointment.
She also emphasized the need to use a chapstick which protects from sun damage, especially with warmer weather on the way. One popular chapstick with sun protection is Sunbum.
“It's the only chapstick I've used for six years, I won't use anything else and I carry it everywhere,” she said.
She recommends the brand because she feels “it’s the most moisturizing,” and she also noted that “the mint flavor is superior because it’s refreshing.”
Interestingly enough, Jeanie Sparks, a physician assistant at Advanced Dermatology, Hunt Valley, says that beeswax, which is a main ingredient in Burt’s Bee, sometimes causes irritation.
Her main advice is that less is more. Some over-the-counter products she recommends are Aquaphor Healing Ointment by Eucerin, Vaseline, CeraVe Healing Ointment, and Vanicream Moisturizing Ointment.
She also emphasized the need to use a chapstick which protects from sun damage, especially with warmer weather on the way. One popular chapstick with sun protection is Sunbum.
Image Credit: Britta Miller for The Campus Trainer
While many brands can offer sufficient protection, they may cause irritation due to their use of chemical sun protecting substances.
“Products with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide will be less irritating than products with chemical sunscreens like avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene and oxybenzone,” Sparks said.
The first three ingredients listed in SunBum are avobenzone, homosalate and octisalate.
She says ingredients to avoid if you have sensitivity issues are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Sparks’ personal favorite lip balm is EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum with SPF 36 from DermStore for $11.
“Products with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide will be less irritating than products with chemical sunscreens like avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene and oxybenzone,” Sparks said.
The first three ingredients listed in SunBum are avobenzone, homosalate and octisalate.
She says ingredients to avoid if you have sensitivity issues are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Sparks’ personal favorite lip balm is EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum with SPF 36 from DermStore for $11.
Image Credit: Britta Miller for The Campus Trainer
Sophomore marketing major Meredith Friedland loves the classic yellow and red tube that we know as Carmex.
“I wouldn't be able to live my life the way I do without it,” she said.
Many people like this chapstick because it wears like a gloss, but comes out more liquidy. However, be aware that Carmex contains menthol and camphor, which are common irritants, according to dermatologists interviewed for The Cut. Most people are typically fine to use this lip balm, however.
“I wouldn't be able to live my life the way I do without it,” she said.
Many people like this chapstick because it wears like a gloss, but comes out more liquidy. However, be aware that Carmex contains menthol and camphor, which are common irritants, according to dermatologists interviewed for The Cut. Most people are typically fine to use this lip balm, however.
Image Credit: Britta Miller for The Campus Trainer
Another popular lip balm, available at a variety of stores, is ChapStick. While many people love the classic Chapstick, junior math major Sam Johnson has a different view.
“My mom bought it for me and I don't like the way my lips feel after I put it on,” he said. “It's like a bland feeling on my lips.”
However, ChapStick ingredients do not contain any of the irritants Sparks mentioned, in addition to being both paraben and cruelty free. While Johnson isn’t a fan, this classic choice is a favorite to many.
It’s not easy finding your perfect fit, but through a little trial and error, you can find a chapstick that’s just right!
“My mom bought it for me and I don't like the way my lips feel after I put it on,” he said. “It's like a bland feeling on my lips.”
However, ChapStick ingredients do not contain any of the irritants Sparks mentioned, in addition to being both paraben and cruelty free. While Johnson isn’t a fan, this classic choice is a favorite to many.
It’s not easy finding your perfect fit, but through a little trial and error, you can find a chapstick that’s just right!