When it comes to your lips, there are loads of products to choose from — lip liners, liquid sticks, plumpers, and more. But are these products actually good for your lips, and do they provide any benefits beyond appearance? Or, are you better off with your faithful black and white tube of ChapStick? We get to the bottom of these questions by battling out two of the most popular products in the lip world: lip balm and lip gloss.
Lip gloss is primarily a cosmetic product designed to give your lips a glossy finish. Note: According to the FDA, cosmetic products are used to alter a person’s appearance, but they don’t impact the human body‘s structure or functions.¹
Lip glosses are typically liquid or semi-fluid and may come packaged in a squeezable tube for applying directly to the lips. Some lip gloss tubes come with a doe foot applicator (a sponge-tipped wand) instead.
Lip gloss can add a high-shine top coat to give your favorite lipstick a glass-like finish. Or it can be applied on its own to add a shine to your natural lip color. You can also buy tinted lip gloss, which comes in just about every shade imaginable. From metallic shimmers to subtle pinks, these liquids add a pop of color and glossiness to make your lips stand out.
Okay, but what’s the difference between lip balm and lip gloss when it comes to ingredients?
Every lip gloss has its own combination of ingredients, but these are some common ones:
Emollients moisturize and soften the skin. Synthetic and refined emollients include squalane and mineral oils. Lanolin and jojoba are natural, moisturizing emollients.
Thickeners help keep the gloss on your lips. They include waxes, like ozokerite, and clays, like kaolin.
Coloring agents, like dyes, pigments, mica, and iron oxide, create different hues and add sparkle.
Polybutene and polyisobutene² act as binding agents to create a sticky texture.
Finally, the million-dollar question: are there benefits to lip gloss from a medical perspective? This can depend on the product formula.
Some lip glosses have benefits due to additional ingredients, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (for sun protection), and moisturizing ingredients, like glycerin or jojoba oil. Other lip glosses, however, may have pore-clogging ingredients that can lead to acne around your mouth.
We recommend carefully reading each product label to know what ingredients you’re applying to your lips. If you’re ever uncertain about an ingredient, Curology’s licensed dermatology providers are here to help.
Lip balm is generally meant to moisturize your lips and treat and help prevent chapped and cracked lips. Most lip balms are wax-like substances packaged in sticks, jars, or roll-on containers.
Things get a bit technical when it comes to lip balm product classification. Your standard lip balm is a cosmetic product. But a lip balm with active ingredients that treat a medical condition is both a cosmetic and a drug.³ An example is a lip balm that treats cold sores.
And, unlike lip gloss, lip balm is not typically a makeup product. It’s generally considered a personal care product and skin protectant.
Here are some common ingredients that may be found in lip balm:
(Keep in mind that this is by no means an all-inclusive list. Different lip balm brands will have their own product ingredients.)
Beeswax and carnauba wax
Cocoa butter, shea butter, and palm butter
Petrolatum and petroleum jelly
Lanolin
Honey
Plant oils like jojoba, almond, and avocado oil
Vitamin E
Hemp seed oil and castor seed oil
Dimethicone
Coloring and flavoring agents
Most lip balms are made to give your lips the care they need. But are there any disadvantages of lip balm?
Lip balms made with certain ingredients may harm your lips by drying them out instead of moisturizing them.⁴ And, like lip gloss, some ingredients in lip balms may be comedogenic, potentially clogging the pores around your mouth.
Check out our helpful list of common pore-clogging ingredients to avoid.
Because the purposes of lip gloss and lip balm can differ, your final choice will depend on your goals. Although some lip glosses have hydrating and protecting benefits, they’re more often beauty products. For healthy, hydrated skin, lip balm is probably your best bet.
The good news? You don’t have to choose one or the other. Applying lip balm regularly will keep your lips healthy and create a smooth canvas on which you can apply beauty products like lip gloss.
Wondering which lip balm is best for daily use? Dermatologists recommend applying a non-irritating lip balm throughout the day and before you go to bed.⁵ When outdoors, apply a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher every two hours. Add some gentle exfoliation to the mix, and your lip care routine will be good to go.
Getting your lips to pouty perfection shouldn’t be a game of trial and error. If you’d like expert advice on how to use lip balm, Curology is here to help.
Our dermatologists have developed an acne-friendly, non-greasy lip balm to soften and soothe your lips. It’s packed with all the good stuff, like natural butters, plant-based oils, and even SPF 30!
Sign up for a Curology trial* and get your Curology lip balm along with other customized products picked for your skin goals. Take a quick quiz, send us some selfies, and kiss dry lips goodbye.
Is lip balm better than lip gloss?
This depends on what you’re trying to achieve with your lip product. If you want to relieve dry or chapped lips, a lip balm can provide your lips with the hydration they need. But if your motive is more aesthetic, lip gloss can make your lips shimmer.
Is lip balm healthy for your lips?
Lip balms with the right ingredients moisturize dry lips and help protect them from the sun. But some lip balms may contain ingredients that can harm your lips and cause irritation. Keep in mind that everyone’s lips are different.
Lip balm vs ChapStick vs lip gloss: Are they the same thing?
Nope, and let’s make this distinction clear. ChapStick is one of many lip balm brands, like Curology and Burt’s Bees. Lip gloss is a makeup product that adds shine and color to the lips.
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Melissa Hunter is a board certified family nurse practitioner at Curology. She received her MSN from George Washington University in Washington, DC.
*Cancel at any time. Subject to consultation. Results may vary.
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Our medical review process:
We’re here to tell you what we know. That’s why our information is evidence-based and fact-checked by medical experts. Still, everyone’s skin is unique—the best way to get advice is to talk to your healthcare provider.
Our policy on product links:
Empowering you with knowledge is our top priority. Our reviews of other brands’ products in this post are not paid endorsements—but they do meet our medically fact-checked standards for ingredients (at the time of publication).
Written byCurology Team
Medically reviewed byMelissa Hunter, NP-C
Struggling with dry, chapped lips? Tired of flaky patches of skin and cracks getting in the way of your favorite lip look? We've all been there! A dehydrated pout is never fun and can impact your appearance and confidence.
When you start to feel your lips drying out or notice cracks and bleeding, you probably go straight for your everyday lip balm or ChapStick, must-have skincare essentials everyone should carry while on the go. These products protect the fragile skin on your lips and provide instant relief to maintain a soft, supple pout throughout the day.
However, when it comes to lip products, there's more than what meets the eye. We're here to walk you through the difference between lip balm vs. ChapStick and discuss nutrients you need and ingredients you don't.
Let's dive in:
What is Lip Balm vs. Chapstick?
This might surprise you, but ChapStick is just the name of a company that makes lip balm, not a type of product. Founded in the 1880s, the brand remains a go-to affordable lip balm. It's no wonder many people refer to their lip care products as ChapStick, even if they use a different brand.
Over the years, the ChapStick brand has tweaked and changed its formula to create a more nutrient-rich experience. However, while ChapStick and lip balm are essentially the same, the formulas may vary from product to product.
So, what is lip balm?
This lip care product hydrates and protects lips with a nutrient-rich formula daily that prevents dryness, bleeding, cracking, and irritation. Keeping your lips hydrated during the warmer or colder months is especially important since drastic environmental changes can cause dryness and dehydration.
Various lip moisturizers are on the market, including those designed to plump or tint your lips. When shopping for a lip moisturizer, it's best to consider your unique needs and find a formula that serves you.
What to Look for in Lip Balm
This is arguably the most used product in your skincare routine. You can always count on your lip care products to keep your lips soft and supple throughout the day. When looking for a go-to in your purse or bag, you'll want to pay close attention to the ingredients. Here are three to look for:
Vitamin E is a must-have. With lip protection, vitamin E is the ingredient to look for, especially if you struggle with dry, chapped lips. This ultra-hydrating ingredient supports barrier function and optimizes hydration levels. It's also known for its anti-aging benefits.
Emollients are ultra-hydrating ingredients designed to protect, restore, and hydrate. These are the perfect ingredients to reduce the appearance of flaky skin or dryness and include shea butter, jojoba oil, honey, avocado oil, or aloe vera.
While there aren't any pores on your lips, the skin surrounding your lips contains pores, so you don't want a lip moisturizer with comedogenic ingredients. Non-comedogenic ingredients don't clog pores, so you won't need to worry about your moisturizing lip balm causing tiny blackheads around your lips.
If you struggle with ongoing irritation, look for calming and soothing ingredients, like bisabolol, which derives from chamomile plants. Lip care products often include bisabolol due to its anti-inflammatory and calming effects on the skin.
Benefits of Lip Balms
If you aren't incorporating a lip moisturizer into your daily routine, you're putting your lips at risk. The skin on your lips is delicate and fragile and requires additional protection throughout the day. Without a lip balm, you expose your lips to environmental stressors, UVB rays, and extreme weather conditions every time you go outside.
With a moisturizing lip balm by your side, you can look forward to:
Yes, the skin on your lips can get sunburned, too. Most lip moisturizers also have SPF added into the formula, protecting your lips from harmful UV rays exposure throughout the day.
No one likes when their lips crack or have flaky patches of skin. With a nutrient-rich lip moisturizer, you can rehydrate and plump your lips, protecting them from imperfections and preventing more damage from forming.
Think of your lip care product as a protective layer designed to protect, soothe, and reduce your risk of chapped lips. A lip moisturizer is important to carry in your purse or bag during warm summers and cold winters since these dramatic weather changes can make your lips more prone to dryness and damage.
How Often Should You Apply Lip Balm?
How often you apply your lip moisturizer depends on your preferences, environmental factors, and the changes in the weather.
For example, you may apply lip balm more frequently during winter or summer as low humidity, windy conditions, or sun exposure can dehydrate your lips quicker than usual.
A moisturizing lip balm is a must-have you should always have in your purse or bag. You should re-apply at least once or twice throughout the day whenever your lips feel dry, or they need a quick pick-me-up.
Ingredients to Avoid
Not all lip balms are created equal. Some may feel hydrating when you apply them but don't have ingredients that actually benefit your lips. When looking for a new lip balm to add to your routine, here are a few ingredients you'll want to avoid.
Yes, flavors may taste good in theory, but they aren't always safe to use and don't have any added benefits for your lips. The FDA allows brands to label these add-ins as "flavor" and "fragrance," meaning you don't know what ingredients to create the flavor or fragrance.
Look for moisturizing lip balms without flavor or fragrance to avoid skin irritation or allergic reactions. While they may not taste as good, they will be better for you in the long run.
Parabens are preservatives added to beauty care products to extend their shelf life. These additives are well-known hormone disruptors and can interfere with the estrogen or testosterone in your body. Many popular lip care brands, including ChapStick, have used parabens in their formulas, so always read the ingredient label when looking for a viable option to add to your routine.
Petroleum may make your lips feel soft and supple, but it isn’t as beneficial for your lips as you may think. The problem with petroleum is that it doesn't let your skin breathe.
Instead, it works as a barrier on your lips, locking in existing moisture but not hydrating the skin. Petroleum also doesn't have any nutrients your lips can benefit from and can irritate individuals struggling with skin sensitivities.
Ever purchased a lip balm that leaves your lips with a tingly sensation? It likely contains menthol. While small doses of menthol aren't harmful, they can dry out your skin and disrupt your lip's moisture barrier. Menthol can also irritate open wounds, so if your lips are cracked or bleeding, you'll want to steer clear of this ingredient.
Salicylic acid is a common skincare ingredient found in exfoliants and toners. While it may be beneficial to use on your body and the skin on your face, it's considered too harsh of an ingredient for the fragile skin on your lips.
If you have dry, flaky skin on your lips and you want to exfoliate, consider using a sugar scrub. This natural exfoliant won't irritate the skin and will leave a soft, supple finish.
A High-End, Luxury Lip Balm Formulated For Your Needs
So, is lip balm better than Chapstick? In some ways, yes, it is. In today’s world, there are better formulas out there that your lips can benefit from. Formulas that don’t contain irritants, parabens, or unnecessary flavors.
At Augustinus Bader, we aimed to set the standard for lip care. Our formula can deliver next-level results and help you maintain a soft, supple pout all year.
Our lip care product, The Lip Balm, features a non-sticky, innovative formula designed to hydrate, nourish, and plump your lips. This fragrance-free formula contains natural plumping compounds and clean, nourishing skin hydration - including vitamin E and shea butter. What makes our formula different from the rest is the TFC8® technology, which guides nutrients to your cells and protects the fragile skin on your lips from environmental stressors.
Shop now to experience the Augustinus Bader difference.