Chapstick- Routine or Solution?

I am very guilty to using chapstick at least 20 times a day, this action becoming more of a routine to me than an actual need. I have lost hundreds of sticks just to go buy more because it’s something I just cannot leave the house without. I will be the first to say; I am hooked. But as I constantly find the need to pull a chapstick out of my pocket, I thought to myself, does it actually work? And is it more of a routine than a useful medication?

I am very guilty to using chapstick at least 20 times a day, this action becoming more of a routine to me than an actual need. I have lost hundreds of sticks just to go buy more because it’s something I just caImage result for eos chapstickn not leave the house without. I will be the first to say; I am hooked. But as I constantly find the need to pull a chapstick out of my pocket, I thought to myself, does it actually work? And is it more of a routine than a useful medication?

This year actually, I pulled out a particular brand of chapstick,“EOS,” and my roommate responds, “those don’t actually work, that company puts chemicals in there that chap your lips more so you buy more.” I was shocked when I heard this, not believing it at first, but willing to dig into the research of it. In a study conducted by the Today Health and Wellness, it explains the outcome of a lawsuit against EOS chapstick, claiming that it actually made consumer’s lips drier than before they started using the chapstick. A woman who had used this brand, and was in on the lawsuit claimed that her lips had rashes and other skin reactions due to some kind of chemical input in EOS. This may have just been her individually, but within a short period of time after using this Image result for chapstick ingredient labelsbrand, her lips not only felt dry, but a practical allergic reaction occurred along with it. Become of this chapstick catastrophe, she had to resort to medical assistance. Although this is on the extreme side, this is not the only case brought to attention that claims chapstick cannot cause issues with skin and lips. Especially when overused, chapsticks can cause negative affects that reverse the intended use of chapstick. Some ingredients including, phenol, camphor, and menthol, can not only irritate, but dry out lips if consumers overuse the product. A Dr. Aleksander Krunic in the article also explains when chapstick should be used versus when it is used too much/what not to use. In moderation, and when needed, like in Image result for chapped lipsthe winter months or when the air is particularly drier than usual, chapstick is a good solution, however, overuse and brands that contain harmful substances should be avoided. Things like parabens and brands with scents and dyes can be detrimental and cancel out the actual moisturizing.

For chapstick in general, I cannot completely doubt its purpose, however, I do agree with the need for moderation and choosing brands wisely. There are several brands that moisturize chapped lips and do their job proficiently. However, certain brands, like EOS, is a living example how individuals must be careful what they trust and the labels included. It is emphasized to me personally how important it is to read labels and to look for certain ingredients that can trick you into a dumb buying decision. As for me, it may still be a routine for me, but I will be sure to get the right kinds, and use when necessary. And for EOS uses out there, watch out, you may be next!

 

Image sources:

Chapped Lips Tumblr

https://www.google.com/search?q=eos+chapstick&espv=2&biw=654&bih=642&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwja9OCi_5LPAhWFMSYKHSO-BZoQ_AUICCgD#imgrc=iYz6OFCyMVQTUM%3A

s://www.drugs.com/otc/118333/chapstick-classic-original.html

 

 

4 thoughts on “Chapstick- Routine or Solution?

  1. Annalise Marie Pilitowski

    Just reading the title of this post I knew I had to read it. I am not afraid to admit that I am absolutely addicted to chapstick. I always have some sort of chapstick with me any where I go. I am constantly applying it, not because I physically need to, but mostly because I just want to. Honestly, I can agree that it has become a routine for me as well. My friends constantly make fun of me for always using chapstick. Unfortunately I have heard about certain brands using chemicals that make your lips even more chapped so that you continue to use and buy their product and I think that doing so should be considered cheating and manipulating, while others may see at it genius business strategy. However, I have adapted to using only the brands that actually work rather than buying crappy ones that barely work. My go to is definitely Vaseline Lip Therapy.

  2. Lauren Messing

    I am addicted to chapstick too, and I know how difficult it is to find a favorite. I happen to have two favorites: EOS (summer fruit flavor) and Palmer’s cocoa butter formula. As much as I love my EOS, I have also experienced problems where my lips become chapped from overusing it. I do have to say that the cocoa butter chapstick is amazing and leaves my lips nice and soft. This link leads you to a picture of the chapstick so you can pick one up tomorrow! You will not regret it.

  3. Imaani Allen

    I think its the way the media tells women that we need to have nice soft lips all the time. So that’s why lot of women get into the habit of applying chap stick multiple time through out the day. We fail to realize that not all lip moisturizers are created equally. Some have very harsh chemicals that can cause the lips to have an allergic reaction. I still use chap stick sometimes to give my lips a little bit of moisture. I agree that everyone male and female should be more cautious when it comes to buying lip products.

  4. Alexander Nicholas Cautela

    I am a habitual chapstick user. This was not always the case. My carmen addiction spurred once I began my treatment of Accutane, an acne relief pill which chronically dries out the skin and lips, and calls for heavy chapstick use. Unfortunately, my need for chapstick has not decreased over the months that I have been off this product. My lips still get dry throughout the day, and I burn through Carmex like a chainsmoker burns through a carton of cigarettes. It sucks. I hope one day it will go away.
    My dad once walked into a pharmacy, asking for relief from a cold sore. The pharmacist handed him a small tube of Carmex chapstick. He said, “This is chapstick, how can it give me relief from my cold sore?” My dad ended up using the Carmem and within a week, his cold sore was gone, much to his disbelief.
    Give Carmex a shot. It’s the Real McCoy.

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