Dry, chapped lips unfortunately can happen all year long. Whether it’s winter or spring, something is always trying to steal our lip’s moisture away.
Of course, we are always reaching for a lip balm, but most of us don’t actually consider what is inside of them that provides relief to our lips.
When it comes to our lips, it’s extremely important to be aware of product ingredients. When we use products on our lips, most of it ends up in our mouths and in our systems, so if a product contains a known toxin, it’s definitely a bad idea to use it, even if you like the smell or the way it feels on your lips.
Let’s talk about lip balm vs chapstick and which one is better for your lip health.
What Is Lip Balm?
Lip balms are a waxy substance that is used on the lips to provide hydration and to heal chapped lips. You know you’re lips are chapped if you have any of these symptoms:
- Peeling
- Cracking
- Bleeding
- Painful
- Dry
Lip balm is a quick-fix solution for dry, chapped lips. Keeping lips hydrated and moisturized can be difficult, especially during the rough seasons of intense heat or cold.
What Is Chapstick?
Chapstick is a name brand of lip balm that started in 1963. They are produced using petroleum by-products. Their chapsticks contain 5/5 worst ingredients that you never want to use in skin care or lip care. They contain microplastic, silicon preservatives, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and synthetic colorings.
Did you know that Chapsticks never expire? This is because there is nothing in there that can expire. They are a byproduct of the oil industry. That’s quite alarming if you ask me. Very little of it is natural.
Chapstick won’t actually heal your lips, so it’s best to avoid it if you can. There are many other better things that can help treat your dry lips.
Lip Balm vs Chapstick: What’s The Difference?
Now for the difference between lip balm and Chapstick. Well, simply put, there aren’t any.
Chapstick is just a name-brand lip balm. It has been around for decades which is why it’s widely used. However, the ingredients you may find in popular lip brands may surprise you, so always read the labels first.
Lip balms often contain a preservative, flavor, or fragrance that irritates our lips. Essential oils should never be used on the face, especially the lips. This is where the most astringent oils are used on our lips because the best-flavored ones are in lip products such as Peppermint and citrus. Anything made with petroleum-based barriers will provide a barrier but one that will not be conducive to healing.
Is Chapstick Addictive?
Some people simply can’t function without something on their lips. It’s a habit, and that’s why sometimes people put it on and don’t even realize they’re doing it!
Rest assured, you are not technically addicted to lip balm, but it’s a habit that you just can’t quit.
When you apply more lip balm to get immediate relief, you’re often also making the problem worse. This is what starts the “addiction” cycle. The lip balm that contains these irritating ingredients will soothe the lips temporarily but cause long-term issues.
Healing Chapped Lips The Natural Way
All-natural lip balm is the safest and most effective way to heal and restore your lips.
Lip balms made with cold pressed nuts, vegetables, or tallow will provide a barrier that can heal as well. If you aren’t sure what tallow is, checkout our tallow skin care guide! They go beyond simply providing a barrier by helping our lips to repair themselves.
Opt For Quality Ingredients
Now that you know what ingredients to avoid, these ingredients can help keep your lips hydrated and smooth.
- Beeswax: It is loaded with amino acids and is the best wax for all skin including lips.
- Jojoba Oil: It is rich in antioxidants and the closest thing to our skin’s natural oil. It is deeply hydrating, and the skin absorbs it quickly.
- Organic Cocoa Seed Butter: This type of butter contains vitamin E that helps to restore lips to their desired state.
- Any High-Quality Organic Cold-Pressed Nut Oil: These oils help to nourish the skin on our face, even the lips as well.
Final Thoughts On Lip Balm vs Chapstick
Lip balm and ChapStick are lip products that are supposed to help keep our lips moisturized and hydrated. ChapStick is simply a name brand.
Stay away from petroleum by-products, synthetic ingredients, and astringent essential oils. What’s inside your lip balm is key to finding the right products that actually hydrate and heal your lips.

About the author
I took many wrong turns when I started learning about skin at 19. The more I spent on skincare, equipment, and training, the further I felt from actually helping skin. I was frustrated with only being able to offer temporary and superficial solutions at best. What emerged from the disappointment and turmoil, I now call, The Regenerative Skin Process. Skin Harmonics is a dedicated medical fusion holistic skincare clinic that provides a root cause approach delivering lifetime skin health through medical grade skin care products, new learning, and Deep Pore Cleansing Facials.