WHAT CAUSES CHAPPED LIPS?
ips get chapped because they’re too dry, usually because of exposure to the elements. The usual suspects: dry air, wind, sun, cold temperatures and even dust.
 | Tempting as it is, don’t lick your lips when they’re dry—it just makes them more chapped |
| Allergic reactions can cause chapped lips |
| Lips are more easily prone to chapping if your entire body is dehydrated |
What are the not-so-secret ingredients, and what do they do? *
Various forms and flavors of Carmex lip balm may include all or some of the following ingredients that moisturize and help heal chapped lips while protecting them from further damage.
Menthol — Kills germs and relieves discomfort.
Derived from oil of peppermint, menthol is a common ingredient in over-the-counter topical products used for respiratory congestion, headache, skin problems and muscle pain. Menthol also has anesthetic properties and helps soothe the discomfort of dry, chapped lips and the pain associated with cold sores. Menthol elicits a cool, refreshing sensation.
Camphor — Alleviates pain.
Camphor is a naturally occurring compound that shares many properties with menthol. The cooling, tingling effect of camphor is similar to that of menthol, and it too acts as a mild local anesthetic and antimicrobial agent against germs. Camphor is also one of the ingredients that relieves the burning, itching and pain associated with cold sores.
Phenol — Kills germs, exfoliates and anesthetizes.
Found in a variety of mouthwashes and sore throat lozenges, phenol is an antiseptic that kills germs and provides a local anesthetic or mild numbing effect. In Carmex, phenol helps reduce the itching and burning associated with dry chapped lips and cold sores. The phenol in Carmex’s lip balms also helps to gently remove old, dry and peeling skin found on very chapped lips.
Lanolin — Softens, lubricates and protects.
Lanolin is a natural substance that provides a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the lips. It is widely employed for the treatment and prevention of dry, rough, skin problems. Since lanolin is similar to the oil produced by our own oil glands, it may help reduce excessive moisture loss and restore the softness and elasticity of healthy lips. Lanolin in Carmex lip balm provides a protective coating that helps keep your lips soft and supple.
Cocoa Butter — Moisturizes and protects.
Cocoa butter is natural fat extracted from the cocoa bean during the process of producing chocolate. That creamy and smooth melt-in-your-mouth texture of chocolate is due to cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is a wonderful moisturizer and is recommended for the treatment of many skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. When applied to the lips, cocoa butter helps lips retain moisture, which helps to prevent dryness and cracking, and protect from environmental factors, making them feel soft and smooth.
Salicylic Acid — Exfoliates and relieves pain.
Salicylic acid has been used as a pain reliever since ancient times, when a simpler form of the compound was extracted from the bark of the willow tree. Also known as beta hydroxyl acid, salicylic acid improves the overall texture of your lips by promoting very mild exfoliation of the outermost layer of the lip, allowing dead skin cells to slough off and enabling the other important ingredients in Carmex—menthol, camphor and phenol —to more effectively penetrate your lips. Only a small amount—less than 1%—is used in various Carmex lip balm products. Salicylic acid can be found in many skin care products such as cleansers, facial creams and lotions.
Aloe Butter — Helps heal and soothe.
Aloe has been used for centuries for treating many skin conditions including the acceleration of wound healing and the reduction of inflammation. Because of its anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties, aloe can alleviate pain associated with dry and chapped lips. Another potential benefit of aloe found in Carmex lip balm is its hydrating and anti-aging effects that can stimulate cell rejuvenation, and give lips a more youthful appearance.
Vitamin E — Reduces damaging free radicals.
Vitamin E is an oil with a wide variety of beneficial properties. When lips are exposed to ultraviolet rays, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and protects the lips against premature aging by preventing the formation of free radicals. Free radicals can damage the lips and cause them to stay dry, chapped and prematurely wrinkled. Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe lip damage caused by sun, wind and excessive dryness.
Shea Butter — Prevents dry, cracked lips.
Shea butter is a natural oil that protects the lips from excessive dryness and sun-damage. Shea butter is a rich moisturizer that contains many fatty acids which are needed to maintain the elasticity and softness of healthy lips. Shea butter, added to Carmex lip balms, soothes dry and chapped lips and like vitamin E, helps prevent free-radical damage.
Petrolatum — A moisturizing barrier that protects the lips.
Petrolatum is perhaps the most effective moisturizing agent available. When applied to lips, petrolatum forms a moisturizing barrier which prevents water loss. By penetrating the outermost layer of the lips, petrolatum actually accelerates the healing process and helps repair damaged tissue. Petrolatum in Carmex lip balms 1) treats cracking and dryness by ensuring that the lips do not lose their moisturizing properties, 2) prevents the entry of germs into the cracks and cuts, and 3) protects the lips from external irritants such as dry air, cold temperatures, wind and sun.
| * | Our product formulas vary slightly around the world in order to comply with local regulations. Rest assured that no matter where you are, the quality and performance of Carmex remains consistent. Even the level of tingle.
|
Postagens
