Lip Balm vs Chapstick: What’s the difference?
When it comes to lip care, lip balm offers a variety of benefits from soothing dry lips to sun protection and even anti-aging benefits. However, when shopping for lip balms, you’ll often see the term “lip balm” and “chapstick” used interchangeably, but what’s the difference?
In this article, we’ll discuss what lip balm and chapstick are, their key differences, the benefits of both, and the best lip balm brands and products available!
What is lip balm?
Lip balm, also known as lip salve or lip moisturizer, is a cosmetic product that is used to moisturize and protect the lips. It is typically packaged in a tube or small, cylindrical container and applied to the lips directly from the container.
Lip balm is made with a variety of ingredients, including waxes, oils, and moisturizers, that work together to help soothe and hydrate dry lips. Some lip balms also contain sun protection ingredients like SPF to protect the lips from UV rays and other medicated benefits.
Lip balms are widely available and can be found in most drugstores and supermarkets. There are many forms of lip balm including varieties that come in different colors, flavors, and formulations.
They can also have different benefits such as medicated, natural or organic, and sun protection. Lip balms can also be used to enhance the appearance of the lips.
Lip balm is most commonly used in the winter months when skin tends to get dry and chapped. However, if you have a dry skin type, it’s a good idea to keep some handy all year round.
What is chapstick?
ChapStick is simply a brand name of lip balm. Like other lip balm brands, it typically comes in a small tube and is applied directly to the lips.
Chapstick was first created by physician and pharmacist Dr. Charles Browne Fleet in the late 1800s and is one of the oldest and most well-known brands of lip balm. It was created to help soothe and moisturize dry and chapped lips.
The original Chapstick formula was made with a simple combination of wax and petrolatum, which helped to form a protective barrier on the surface of the lips and lock in moisture.
In the following decades, the Chapstick brand expanded and introduced new formulas and flavors, such as medicated and sun protection formulas, and is one of the most widely used lip balms in the world.
Today, Chapstick is owned by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and continues to be a popular brand of lip balm with a wide range of products – and benefits – available.
Lip Balm vs Chapstick
What is the difference between lip balm and chapstick?
Both Chapstick and lip balm refer to lip treatments or cosmetic products that offer an effective treatment to moisturize and soothe dry or chapped lips.
The main difference between the two is that ChapStick is a specific brand of lip balm that has been on the market for over 120 years and has a lot of variations. The term lip balm is a general term that can refer to any similar product, lip treatment, or other brand names.
Both are available in various forms such as sticks, tubes, and jars, and provide an array of benefits from moisturizing to sun protection and even medicated formulas for specific concerns.
Different types of lip balm
Chapstick
Having been around since the late 1800s, Chapstick is the oldest and most well-known lip balm brand.
Chapstick products are designed to moisturize and protect lips from dryness and chapping and uses the main active ingredient of white petrolatum. Today, these sticks come in a variety of formulations for a variety of different needs such as classic and medicated as well as numerous flavors.
- Medicated lip balms
Medicated lip balms contain ingredients that provide additional benefits beyond moisturizing and protecting the lips.
This might include conditions such as inflammation, redness or itching, or even cold sores. These balms can contain one or more active ingredients such as castor oil (also known as castor seed oil), menthol, camphor, phenol, salicylic acid, or hydrocortisone.
- Anti-aging lip balms
Anti-aging lip balms contain ingredients that might provide anti-aging benefits such as reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the lips, as well as moisturizing and protecting the lips from environmental damage. This ingredient list will often include antioxidants, peptides, and sunscreen.
- Lip balms
In addition to being moisturizing, SPF lip balms are balms that contain sun protection factor (SPF) to protect the lips from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
These lip balms typically contain ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that act as physical sun blockers to shield the lips from UV rays. These balms can protect the lips from sun damage that may lead to an increased risk of lip cancer and premature aging.
- Lip salve
Like “Chapstick”, the term lip salve is often used interchangeably with lip balms as well.
Lip salves are designed to hydrate and moisturize dry lips like balms, however, they typically have a softer texture that is only semi-solid and is applied using your fingertips rather than applied from a tube in stick form.
- Tinted lip balm
Tinted or colored lip balm is a balm that offers a touch of color along with all of the other benefits of a lip balm. They come in a variety of shades and typically offer a sheer to light coverage.
Tinted lip balms are perfect for those who want to add a touch of color to their lips without the need for full-coverage lipstick or lip glosses and also want to keep their lips moisturized.
- Organic Lip Balm
Organic lip balms contain organic and natural ingredients grown without the use of pesticides and fertilizers. These lip balms are also likely to be free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives and are made of natural ingredients such as beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, vitamin e oil, and essential oils.
Organic lip balms make a great type of lip balm for those with sensitive skin who may otherwise react to the harsh ingredients in other formulas.
What are the benefits of lip balms?
Lip balms are designed to moisturize and protect the lips. They can help to relieve dryness, cracking, and chapping, and provide several other benefits including:
- Moisturizing: Lip balms contain oils and moisturizers that can help to hydrate and nourish the lips, keeping them soft and supple. These lip balms are especially helpful for combating lip dryness in dry climates.
- Healing: Some lip balms contain medicated ingredients that can help to heal dry, cracked, and irritated lips.
- Protection: Lip balms can form a protective barrier on the surface of the lips, helping to lock in lip moisture and prevent dry skin, cracking, and chapping caused by wind, cold weather, or sun exposure.
- Sun Protection: Some lip balms contain sunscreen ingredients that can protect the lips from UV rays, preventing sunburn and skin damage.
Aesthetic: Some lip balms come in different colors and flavors, making them a popular choice to enhance the lip’s appearance
Is lip balm or chapstick better for dry lips?
When it comes to lip balm vs chapstick, both are lip products that are effective in moisturizing and protecting dry lips. The best one for you will depend on your personal preferences and needs.
Because lip balm is a general term that refers to any product that is used as a lip treatment, there are a wide variety of brands and formulas available that use different ingredients.
Some lip balms are all-natural, while others contain medicated ingredients or sunscreen to provide additional benefits. If you have sensitive skin, it’s recommended to look for lip balms that are formulated with natural ingredients and are fragrance-free.
Although Chapstick began with its classic, original formula that contains the active ingredient of white petrolatum, today the lip brand offers a wide range of products.
From the classic formula to medicated and sun protection formulas and even formulas for sensitive skin, all can provide different benefits depending on your needs.
Now, let’s get into the lip balm vs chapstick ingredients.
Primary Ingredients of Lip Balm
Lip balm ingredients can vary based on the brand and the intended effects. The main components, however, will usually include a wax such as a carnauba wax or beeswax, an oil or moisturizer such as coconut oil or shea butter, and an emulsifier.
The wax-like substance in lip balms helps to create a protective layer while the oil helps to provide moisture to the lips and prevent them from becoming chapped or heal them if they are chapped. Finally, an emulsifier helps bind all of the ingredients together.
Other ingredients that can be found in lip balms include cocoa butter, fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, and essential oils. These common ingredients can help to nourish the lips and provide extra protection against the elements.
Chapstick Ingredients
Chapstick’s original classic lip balm uses the active ingredient of White Petrolatum 45% Skin Protectant. The inactive ingredients consist of a mix of natural and artificial ingredients such as carnauba wax, fragrance, light mineral oil, oleyl alcohol, phenyl trimethicone and artificial colors.
Some may find these ingredients a bit too harsh for their skin and lips and may want to opt for a brand of natural lip balms with more natural ingredients to soothe their lip and skin dryness.
10 Best Lip Balms
The good news is that there are many different products available today to help soothe and moisturize dry, chapped lips. Whether you choose chapstick or a tinted lip balm, it is really just a personal preference. Here are a few fan favorites to choose from:
Chapstick
Chapstick is one of the oldest and most widely used brands of lip balm in the world and is often touted as the best lip product for dry, chapped lips.
You can find Chapstick in a variety of flavors and formulations, including medicated versions that can help to heal and soothe sore or cracked lips as well as SPF versions.
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
This all-natural lip balm is made with beeswax and is available in a variety of flavors. Its natural ingredients make it a great option for those with sensitive skin.
Carmex Lip Balm
Another very well-known and popular brand, Carmex lip balm is known for its medicated formula that helps to soothe and heal dry, chapped lips.
Patchology Lip Gloss-to-Balm Lip Treatment
This 2-in-1 lip treatment contains Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B3 for extra hydration as well as powerful antioxidants and skin conditioners like aloe and honey for the perfect hybrid lip gloss + lip balm combination!
Nivea Moisture Lip Balm with Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, and Avocado Oil
This lip moisturizer is lightly fragranced and mineral oil free! It uses natural oils and moisturizers such as shea butter and avocado oil to keep your lips soft and hydrated all day!
Eos Lip Balm
This lip balm is 100% natural and organic making it a great option for those with sensitive skin or looking to avoid harsh chemicals. It also comes in a variety of flavors and has a smooth, spherical shape that is easy and fun to apply.
Honest Tinted Beauty Lip Balm
This lip balm is designed to not only moisturize and protect the lips but also provide a subtle tint of color. It is made of natural ingredients with a low EWG score and has been dermatologist and physician tested, ensuring its safety and effectiveness.
Aquaphor Lip Repair
This lip balm is formulated with glycerin, shea butter, and other moisturizing ingredients to help repair and protect dry, cracked lips.
This medicated lip balm prevents and heals dryness, chapping, and sore and cracked lips with added SPF sun protection.
It has an easy-glide formula that provides full coverage and ensures that the lip balm is evenly distributed on the lips and is ideal for people who spend a lot of time outdoors or are exposed to the sun.
Vaseline Lip Therapy
This lip balm is made with petroleum jelly, which helps to lock in moisture and soothe dry, irritated lips.
Hopefully, this post has helped you better understand the similarities and differences between chapstick vs lip balm and you now feel more confident choosing which is the right product for you.
