Repeat after me: My name is ______ and I'm a medicated lip balm addict.
Now you have made the first step.
Ever seen a Carmex fiend in frenzy? Cruising conveniences stores for the dip. Little yellow pots being passed around, with multiple people's finger scoops in the goo.... Scary, right?
Is this you? Ok, ok, I'll stop. Not judging.
Although please consider that sharing a pot of lip product, especially one designed for cold sores, may leave your stash with unwelcome microscopic tag-alongs. Even if the product kills the herpes virus, the container exterior may not. The common cold is pretty easy to spread about too without someone cross-contaminating your actual lips with theirs. Grossed out? Effective public service I hope!
So anyways...
Why are we so addicted to medicated lip balms and are there drawbacks to using them other than needing a fix?
Here's the link to the active ingredient list.http://mycarmex.com/how-it-works/default.aspx
Carmex, like Chapstick is a medicated lip balm. When used on a daily basis, lips can be even more dried out and in a way addicted to the medicated balm. They are intended for painful, severely chapped lips or cold sore treatment. Classic Chapstick is very similar in active ingredients to Carmex, although it doesn't contain Salicylic Acid.
The Ingredient Breakdown
Menthol, salicylic acid and phenol are comomonly known to be drying to the skin.
Menthol is a typical ingredient since it is a pain reliever. Salicylic Acid is used to break down oil in most acne treatments. Phenol is used in medical grade facial peels also. They are both chemical exfoliants.
When a chemical exfoliant is put over an uneven, delicate skin surface, it mostly exfoliates the exposed, uneven layers, therefore leaving the new surface just as irritated and uneven.
A gentle physical exfoliation like a sugar scrub, or any towel or brush with petroleum or oil product as a softening lubricant, will take off the uneven layers and protect the healthy skin under. Another alternative that might be more gentle to healthy skin than the abrasive method above is using enzymes to eat away dead skin, leaving healthy skin intact.
Enzymes.
You can use an enzyme face product or make an edible DIY lip and/or face mask with enzyme rich pumpkin, papaya, apple, yogurt moisturizing and soothing ingredients like cucumber, avocado coconut oil, oatmeal, and honey to gently remove dead skin.Blend any or all of the following ingredients together til spreadable. Add water if needed for consistency or if you want a much more powerful treatment, squeeze in some citrus juice (orange being milder, grapefruit and lemon more intense) for a mild acid treatment in addition to the enzymes.
These fruit acids are anti-aging friendly Alpha Hydroxy Acids (water soluble) which means they act differently than the Beta Aydroxy (oil-soluble) Salicylic Acid in Carmex.
I recommend doing masks and exfoliation at night, when sleep will help the skin heal the fastest in response to the treatment and there is no risk of immediate sun exposure.
If doing just lips, you have the option of doing a quick salt or sugar rub or light toothbrush scrub to further help loosen dead cells or if your lips are too chapped to rub, just go straight to your enzyme lip mask and leave on up to ten minutes or until you feel an even tingling. You can then eat off, or rinse off the solution. *If it is too tingly or burns, take it off immediately and rinse thoroughly with cool water.
Finish with a natural lip balm to hold in new moisture and protect the fresh skin.
I recommend Image Ormedic Lip Treatment, Chapstick Naturals, Weleda Lip Balm or in a pinch straight castor oil or petroleum jelly.
If doing a full face, wash for 1-2 minutes, optional exfoliation, and apply enzyme mask evenly,, but not too close to the eyes.
Again leave on up to 10 minutes or until an even tingle is felt and if too intense, remove immediately. Rinse off thoroughly and follow with an additional moisture mask for incredibly dry or sensitive skin or if not needed, just put on your night cream or moisturizer.
You can do a lip mask as often as you'd like, save a face mask for 2-3x per week and remember to use your SPF every morning as even gentle exfoliation makes the skin more vulnerable to UV.
Gotta love medicated balms, but save em for when you really need em!
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