Are you among the nearly 66% of the population that uses lip balm or chapstick every day? If you are, you may actually be drying your lips out more instead of moisturizing them. Although you think you’re doing something good for your skin, you’re contributing to a vicious cycle of dry lips.

Welcome to Fatal Conveniences™

This is a bite-sized segment that parallels The Darin Olien Show. In these segments, we get into society's Fatal Conveniences™. I define these as the things we may be doing because the world we live in makes us believe we have to. These things save us time and trick us into thinking they're actually good for us. But it's those same things that are breaking down our health, and the health of the environment around us.

I've spent most of my adult life obsessively researching these "conveniences." On every show, I pick one topic, and we dive into it. My goal is to make you more aware of these traps so that you can push back on them. Remember, it starts with you and the choices you make. 

So, if you're willing to look at your world from a different perspective and make little tweaks that amount to big changes, then this segment is for you.

Americans spend $200 Million on Lip Balm and Chapstick every year.

You probably have some lip balm within arm’s reach right now. You can find tubes of lip balm in every bathroom, nightstand, kitchen junk drawer, purse and jacket pocket of pretty much every American household. We’ve been obsessively buying this stuff for almost a century. We think it helps moisturize the sensitive skin on and around our lips, but does it?

The truth is, layering waxy substances on your lips creates a moisture barrier. So although they may feel soft and moisturized, you’re preventing your body’s natural process of shedding dead skin and creating new, healthy cells. Then when your lip balm or chapstick wears off, your lips feel dry, and you apply more. This essentially stops your lips from regenerating new skin. 

You need to let those lips breathe! But hey, I know certain conditions call for some sort of protection or healing for your lips. But you need to be aware of which ingredients are going to do more damage than good. I’ll give you some healthy, safe alternatives, as well as tips for things you can do to keep your lips moisturized naturally. So, ditch that Cherry ChapStick, guys, and listen up.

Other info in this episode:

• The history of lip balm
• The history of ChapStick
• The Lipsmackers campaign to invade pre-teen purses
• Lazy Lips
• The dangers of menthols and cooling agents on your lips
• The danger of parabens
• What to use on your lips instead
• How to avoid dry lips in the first place

Links & Resources:

Axiology Blog: What’s in a Color? Understanding the Dyes and Pigments in Your Cosmetics

American Academy of Dermatology Association: 7 Dermatologists’ Tips For Healing Dry, Chapped Lips

Healthline: 5 Easy DIY Treatments for Chapped Lips

Mayo Clinic: Chapped Lips: What’s the Best Remedy? 

Masterpiece Skin Restoration: 8 Ingredients in Lip Balm & Cosmetics That Cause Allergies

Aloe Force - The aloe vera gel I’ve been using on my lips for years!

Netflix’ Down To Earth’ Official Trailer

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