MetaChat - What is the best, most gentle, most soothing lip balm?

MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.

28 June 2011

What is the best, most gentle, most soothing lip balm? →[More:]
I'm having some weird allergic reaction to something I ate, or something, and my lips are all swollen and burny, and all my lipsticks/lip balms seem to be making it worse (they all have color, or fruity flavors, and I think I'm also allergic to the Burt's Bees honey balm). What lip balm is just gentle and awesome and won't irritate this more? Please help, it's very unpleasant.

post by: leesh at: 07:51 | 20 comments

Ouch. Sorry. My #1 choice would be vaseline, followed by shea butter or olive oil.

posted by iconomy 28 June | 08:06

I use Vaseline. A while back, Senyar recommended A+D, which I've never tried but which is probably very gentle as I believe its original purpose was to treat diaper rash.

posted by amro 28 June | 08:20

A few suggestions:

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve (available at Bath & Body Works)
Kiehl's Lip Balm #1
Chicken Poop

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 28 June | 08:45

Yeah, my mom also says vaseline, I guess I'll go get some after work if I can muster up the energy (I think I'm still in last night's benedryl coma). Thanks dudes.

posted by leesh 28 June | 09:38

I would go with the A&D because it at least has lanolin in it. Vaseline is pure petroleum jelly, an oil byproduct, and it lubricates but by itself doesn't absorb deeply or really soften. You can also buy pure lanolin lip balm, though maybe not at the nearest drugstore.

My favorite lip balm that gets me through the New England winter is Carmex. It has lanolin and cocoa butter, and might be soothing to your burny lips because it also has menthol to cool them. It's pretty great stuff.

posted by Miko 28 June | 09:58

Vaseline is pure petroleum jelly, an oil byproduct, and it lubricates but by itself doesn't absorb deeply or really soften.

Agreed! I find it helpful, when dealing with extremely dry lips, to exfoliate lightly with a toothbrush, then put on something moisturizing, then layer Vaseline on top, to help hold in that moisture.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 28 June | 10:06

I've never heard of A+D, is Rite Aid likely to carry it?

posted by leesh 28 June | 10:07

Carmex works for me.

posted by Splunge 28 June | 10:11

That makes sense, TPS.

Yes, RiteAid would have A&D, and so do grocery stores. It's often with the baby stuff, but not always. It's often what doctors tell you to pick up for scarring after minor surgery. I understand it's used for intimate chafing areas as well.

posted by Miko 28 June | 10:20

I am an expert on lip balm, having about 20 different kinds loitering in the bottom of different handbags and can say without hesitation that the winner is A&D Ointment, which I discovered by accident earlier this year on a visit to the States.

A big tube will cost $4.99 and, as Miko says, it'll be either with the baby butt rash creams or in the same general area where you'd fine Neosporin.

It's also good, again as Miko says, for, ahem, 'intimate chafing', I bought it initially for a shaving rash.

posted by Senyar 28 June | 11:04

Chapstick has some new lip balm in a tube which is really good. I was so relieved to find it after Neosporin discontinued Neosporin LT and went to some other crappy formula.

posted by serena 28 June | 11:30

A&D, the petrolium based kind, not the zinc cream kind. Seriously. Senyar speaks the truth. Baby Aisle.

posted by rainbaby 28 June | 12:20

A pretty thick layer of Vitamin E oil is the only thing I have found that doesn't make this type of reaction worse in some way, and although it is sticky to put on, I feel almost back to normal once it's there. Also, a couple of pills from a Medrol dose pack will nip the reaction in the bud if you keep them on hand and take them as soon as you notice suspicious tingling. I have a caused-by-god-knows-what reaction of this kind (swelling, burning, tiny blisters on mouth, sometimes worse) every six weeks or so.

posted by notquitemaryann 28 June | 12:54

Aside from shea butter/anything else with fatty acids (olive/hemp/avocado oil), Aquaphor is the one I use when things are awful and chapped.

Carmex and Chapstick (most kinds, at least) are more occlusive: waxy stuff that covers your lips for some protection but doesn't necessarily absorb in.

posted by Madamina 28 June | 13:02

This is my current favorite, which seems to do more to soften up and relieve my lips when they're dry and cracking than anything else I've tried. Very soothing. But it sounds like Burt's Bees may be out for you :(

posted by galadriel 28 June | 13:09

My go to for lips is my Aveda lipstick. But if you don't want color, I'd second suggesting shea butter.

posted by bearwife 28 June | 14:00

My standard is Burt's Bees, but I used to use a lot of Blistex products. My favorite is their Complete Moisture, which feels like a splash of water (so awesome). Maybe their Medicated Balm or Ointment would be better for you now?

I used A+D when I got my belly button pierced, and thought it smelled NASTY. I could never, ever imagine putting it on my lips.

posted by youngergirl44 28 June | 17:34

The best lip balm I've ever used is the Jack Black line, with special compensation to the Lemon and Tea flavor. I'm not a big lip balm connoisseur, but it's for my money the best one out there. Of course, each purchase takes seven whole American dollars of my money's opinion. (although there is also a 3-pak available for like 15 I think?)

Best value for your dollar imho.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 28 June | 18:57

If you can't find lanolin lip balm, you can definitely find lanolin in the baby section - it is sold to nursing mothers for chapped nipples - called Lansinoh (in a lavender box). Very gentle (safe for newborns to eat, essentially) and non-irritating.

I have totally used on my lips and it works well.

posted by jeoc 28 June | 21:08

So I bought A+D yesterday because my lips were chapped and I'd been using Vaseline and this thread convinced me to try something new... And whoa! Olfactory flashback. My mom must have used that stuff on me when I was a baby, it was the weirdest thing to smell it and get that strong hit of recognition.

posted by amro 29 June | 08:31

← Another 10% discount at the Book Depository || New Game. →

HOME || REGISTER || LOGIN