We at Blistex share Dr. Zugerman's belief that the notion of lip balm 'addiction' stems from the fact that people who use lip balm regularly become accustomed to the feeling of having moist comfortable lips. Lip balm users, in this sense, are about as addicted to lip balm as coat wearers are to coats when it is cold outside. Moreover, it is important to note that lips do not have adequate natural protection from the sun's rays. Fun is fun, but if people neglect to protect their sensitive lip skin because of the mistaken notion that lip balm is addictive, they could be in for long-term health problems. Lip balms with an SPF level of at least 15 could provide lips with the protection they need.
Lip tissue is mucous membrane, unlike ordinary skin.
As a result, moisture evaporates from the lips much faster than from skin causing lips to dry out easily. This dryness frequently results in chapping and cracking, and increases the risk of inflammation, infection and burning sensations. Lips have little or no melanin, the natural skin pigment that screens out the sun s harmful ultraviolet rays. When spending extensive amounts of time outdoors, a lip care product with a higher SPF such as Blistex Ultra Protection with SPF 30 should be used. It also is important to remember that the sun s harmful rays are always present whether it s July or January, sunny or cloudy.