# What's your favorite lip balm? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 13, 2019, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493 "2019-02-13T20:01:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/1 "2019-02-13T20:01:07Z")
I’ve traditionally been a Carmex guy but I bought an EOS egg and it’s been on my desk for a while. I’m underwhelmed by it. It doesn’t feel very smooth but it does have a decent amount of menthol in it. I think I’m going back to Carmex. What’s your favorite? ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/2 "2019-02-13T20:12:22Z")
Burt’s Bees _Peppermint_ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/3 "2019-02-13T20:16:55Z")
Plain old black chapstick. I don’t like the fruity flavored ones. EOS is more lip gloss than lip balm. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/4 "2019-02-13T20:17:43Z")
Zim’s Crack Creme is the lip balm that works for me. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/5 "2019-02-13T20:25:11Z")
Don’t use it. Years ago, someone pointed out that your lips become chapped because you’re dehydrated. Kept myself hydrated and never had a problem again. If I feel I’m getting slightly chapped, I just drink some water. My main problem with lip balm was that it makes your lips feel more chapped when it wears off, so you’re constantly applying it. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/6 "2019-02-13T20:43:11Z")
Burt’s Bees is good but I keep seeing Blistex for half the price of BB so I keep buying Blistex. I keep one in my car and one next to my bed. I’ve been putting on some Blistex every night before I go to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/7 "2019-02-13T20:51:08Z")
> [@Chicken\_Fingers](#): > > Zim’s Crack Creme is the lip balm that works for me. That doesn’t sound like _lip_ balm to me. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/8 "2019-02-13T21:14:55Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Don’t use it. Years ago, someone pointed out that your lips become chapped because you’re dehydrated. Kept myself hydrated and never had a problem again. If I feel I’m getting slightly chapped, I just drink some water. > > My main problem with lip balm was that it makes your lips feel more chapped when it wears off, so you’re constantly applying it. I don’t know if that’s entirely true; sometimes you can get chapped lips if it’s really dry outside, or if you’re licking your lips a lot, for example. Other times lip balm is necessary because of conditions- being out in the sun, for example requires lip sunscreen, which is usually lip balm. I typically don’t have big chapped lip issues, but when they do bug me, I’m kind of partial to those little containers of vaseline. I think they use a heavier grade than the normal petroleum jelly, because it doesn’t seem to melt as quickly or end up so oily. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/9 "2019-02-13T21:33:49Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I don’t know if that’s entirely true; sometimes you can get chapped lips if it’s really dry outside, or if you’re licking your lips a lot, for example. > > Other times lip balm is necessary because of conditions- being out in the sun, for example requires lip sunscreen, which is usually lip balm. > > I typically don’t have big chapped lip issues, but when they do bug me, I’m kind of partial to those little containers of vaseline. I think they use a heavier grade than the normal petroleum jelly, because it doesn’t seem to melt as quickly or end up so oily. Or you live in a dry climate. I spent almost 30 years in Colorado and I _needed_ lip balm (blue chapstsick). My only beverage (aside from coffee in the morning) is water, so internal hydration wasn’t the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/10 "2019-02-13T21:35:50Z")
I only use unflavored Chapstick. One time I bought Burt’s Bees because it’s all the store had, but it had this horrible menthol flavor that would burn my lips. ---
**Author:** ![Hapax\_Legomenon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8c91f0/32.png) [@Hapax\_Legomenon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hapax_Legomenon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/11 "2019-02-13T21:54:47Z")
Add me to the Burt’s Bees fans; most everything else feels like it smears too much. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, there’s a local brand with a very similar texture, Portland Bee Balm. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/12 "2019-02-13T22:38:04Z")
The cheapo store brands tend to have less of the annoying “tingle” making crap in them. I only want the wax/moisturizer stuff. Forget the camphor, menthol, etc. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/13 "2019-02-13T22:49:11Z")
Plain “black tube” chapstick or carmex in the little jar. The carmex HAS to be in the little jar or I’m suspicious that it isnt real carmex and it just doesn’t “feel right” somehow when I use it. Weird, I know, but, eh. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/14 "2019-02-13T22:59:46Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > someone pointed out that your lips become chapped because you’re dehydrated. . That’s not even close to the case for me. I keep myself very well hydrated to prevent kidney stones, but my lips get nasty every winter like clockwork. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/15 "2019-02-13T23:11:29Z")
I used to use flavored lip balms, but got used to plain unflavored ChapStick in the Navy. Of course, it was distributed to us in plain white tubes that were labeled “ **LIPSTICK, ANTICHAP, COLD CLIMATE** ”. 😉 You can easily find them online if you Google the label – here’s an [example](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/s-military-cold-climate-antichap-469405829). One thing I like about the plain ChapStick is that it has nothing in it to cause irritation, like menthol (for example). Also, with the flavored lip balms, I usually get sick of the flavor after a few minutes. The plain chapstick does have a flavor/fragrance, but it’s more subtle – and doesn’t taste like food. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > Don’t use it. Years ago, someone pointed out that your lips become chapped because you’re dehydrated. Kept myself hydrated and never had a problem again. If I feel I’m getting slightly chapped, I just drink some water. My lips get chapped when I’m skiing, especially in frigid single digit temperatures and wind. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/16 "2019-02-13T23:23:08Z")
I’ve gotten addicted to EOS over the past few months. My favorite is the lemon twist SPF 15. I’ve got one by my bed and one in my purse, and I’ve been using them every day. Before that it was mango lip butter from The Body Shop. Until I found EOS, I always found the Body Shop lip balms to be the best. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2019, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/17 "2019-02-14T00:10:58Z")
Carmex in the little tin is a long time favorite. I have been very happy lately with pink Vaseline. [Vaseline® Lip Therapy® Rosy Mini](https://www.vaseline.com/us/en/products/lip-care/vaseline-lip-therapy-rosy-mini.html) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2019, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/18 "2019-02-14T00:46:23Z")
Another vote for Carmex. Tub or tube, either one works for me. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2019, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/19 "2019-02-14T00:50:21Z")
Burt’s Bees Vanilla I have a tub of Carmex in my desk at work, along with a couple dozen Avon balm tubes left over from the goodie bags we did for a tournament last year. Those get handed out to any student who needs one. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2019, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493/20 "2019-02-14T01:14:57Z")
I don’t usually have chapped lips. I’ve had the same flavored Chapstick for at least 20 years. I’d heard the cheaper ones actually made things worse and thought that was nonsense. decided there was some truth in it when I went into the hospital for a couple of weeks and the unbranded stuff they give to all their patients made it worse. I kept using more and more of it until I realized that was the problem. When I got home I hunted down ole reliable and only needed one application. Explains why I’ve had the same stick all these years. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-lip-balm/829493.md?page=2)