Does lip balm make your lips drier? 5 reasons they keep peeling

No, a good lip balm does not make your lips drier. Lip balm doesn't cause a dependency, and your lips don't "forget" how to moisturise themselves. If you feel like you're reapplying all day and the peeling never stops, something else is usually going on: licking, wind, picking at flaking skin, or an ingredient your lips don't like. So, does lip balm make your lips drier? Mostly no, but there are five common reasons it can feel that way, and all of them are fixable.

One thing to say plainly before we go further. Our lip balms have no sun protection in them. They're there to soften lips and shield them from wind and dryness, not to guard against UV. We'll come back to that, because spring in Victoria is exactly when it matters.

Does lip balm make your lips drier, or is it something else?

The idea that balm is "addictive" gets repeated a lot, but there's no good reason for it to be true with a simple, plain balm. What does happen is this. Lips have no oil glands of their own and a very thin outer layer, so they dry out faster than the rest of your face. When you put balm on, they feel better. When it wears off, the dryness is right back, and it feels worse by comparison. That's the balm wearing off, not the balm causing the problem.

The better question is what keeps undoing the work. That's where the five reasons below come in.

Why do my lips keep peeling? 5 common reasons

1. Licking them. It feels like relief for about four seconds. Then the saliva evaporates and takes some of your lips' own moisture with it. Cleveland Clinic lists frequent lip licking as a common cause of chapped lips, and it can turn into a cycle that's hard to break. If you catch yourself doing it while you concentrate or garden, you're not alone.

2. Wind, dry air and weather. Spring wind is rough on lips. So is a heater or air conditioner running all day. Your lips sit right at the front, with very little protection. Balm applied before you head out works far better than balm applied once they already hurt.

3. Picking at the flakes. Peeling skin looks like it should come off. Pulling it takes healthy skin with it and leaves a raw patch, which then flakes again. Leave it alone, put balm over the top, and let it shed on its own. A soft, damp washcloth held against the lips for a moment can loosen stubborn flakes without tearing them.

4. An ingredient that doesn't suit you. Fragrances, flavourings, menthol, camphor and eucalyptus can irritate some people, and Cleveland Clinic suggests stopping any product that stings, burns or tingles. This applies to ours too. Our balms use grass-fed tallow, beeswax, sweet almond oil and vitamin E, with a lip-safe cherry flavour. If you react to nuts, flavourings or beeswax, check the ingredient list first. If your lips tingle after applying, stop using it.

5. Something else is going on. Sometimes lips that stay dry no matter what you do are telling you about something wider. Cleveland Clinic notes that allergies, some medications and low iron or B vitamin levels can all play a part. If your lips haven't improved after a few weeks of good care, or they crack and bleed often, it's worth a chat with your GP. That's beyond what any balm can sort out.

Do I need sun protection on my lips?

Yes, if you're outdoors for any length of time. Lips burn easily, and they often get forgotten when people put sunscreen on. Cleveland Clinic recommends a lip product with SPF 30 or higher when you're outside, reapplied about every two hours, and says to look for zinc oxide or titanium oxide on the label.

Our lip balms don't contain either, so they won't do that job. If you're gardening, walking the dog or sitting at a footy game, use a separate lip product with SPF first, and put a balm over the top if you like. For indoor days, school runs and evenings, a plain tallow balm is a lovely thing to have in the pocket.

What should I look for in a lip balm for dry, peeling lips?

Keep it simple. A short ingredient list makes it easier to work out what suits you and what doesn't. Look for fats and waxes that sit on the lips and slow moisture loss, and be wary of anything that tingles or cools, because that feeling can be a sign of irritation rather than care.

Our Tallow Lip Balm in Cherry comes in a 15g tin and melts on contact, which suits people who like to dab it on with a fingertip. The Tallow Lip Balm Stick in Cherry does the same job in a twist-up stick, with no fingers in the tin. Both are made from grass-fed tallow, beeswax, sweet almond oil and vitamin E, and both help protect lips from wind, cold and dryness. We don't claim they heal anything or treat any condition.

How often should I apply lip balm?

As often as your lips feel dry. A small amount is plenty, and a little goes a long way. Apply it first thing, before you go outside, after you eat or drink, and before bed. Overnight is when you can't lick or pick, so a good layer then gives your lips the best chance to recover.

If you're using the stick, avoid winding it up too far, and keep it out of hot cars and direct sun. Tallow balms soften with heat.

If you want more on looking after your skin as the weather turns, have a read of Spring's here and your skin hasn't noticed yet.

Frequently asked questions

Can lip balm be addictive?

No. Plain lip balm doesn't make your lips stop producing moisture, because lips don't produce their own oil to begin with. If you reach for balm constantly, it's usually because something is drying your lips out again, such as licking, wind or dry indoor air.

Why do my lips peel even when I use lip balm?

The most common causes are licking, picking at the flakes, weather, or a flavour or fragrance that irritates you. Try a plain balm, leave the flakes alone and put balm on before bed. If nothing changes after a few weeks, see your GP.

Should I pull the dry skin off my lips?

It's best not to. Pulling takes healthy skin with it and can leave a sore patch. Let it shed naturally under a layer of balm, or loosen it gently with a damp cloth.

Does tallow lip balm have SPF?

No. Our lip balms don't contain sun protection. For time outdoors, use a separate lip product with SPF 30 or higher and reapply it through the day.

Is cherry flavour safe on lips?

Our cherry flavour is a lip-safe one, but any flavour can bother someone with sensitive lips. If you notice stinging, burning or tingling, stop using it and check with your doctor if it doesn't settle.

Dry, peeling lips are usually a habit and weather problem, not a balm problem. Stop the licking, skip the picking, use sun protection outdoors, and give your lips a simple balm to rest under. Try the Tallow Lip Balm in Cherry.