Not Just for Lips

Sure you can use lip balm to keep your lips smooth and unchapped, but did you realize there's more uses for it?

Protect Your Face

Rub some lip balm on your face for a great barrier between your skin and whatever you want to protect it from -- whether it be wind or hair dye.

Remove a stuck ring

No need to pull and tug on your finger to try to remove that stuck ring. Just coat the finger with lip balm and gently wriggle the ring loose.

Groom wild eyebrows

Use lip balm as a styling wax to groom unruly mustaches, eyebrows, or other wild hairs.

Zap bleeding from shaving cuts

You just cut yourself shaving and you’ve no time to spare. Just dab a bit of lip balm directly onto the nick and the bleeding from most shaving cuts will quickly stop.

Lubricate a zipper

Rub a small amount of lip balm up and down the teeth of a sticky or stuck zipper. Then zip and unzip it a few times. The lip balm will act as a lubricant to make the zipper work smoothly.

Make pounding nails easier

Rub some lip balm over nails and screws being drilled or pounded into wood. The lip balm will help them slide in a little easier.

Keep a lightbulb from sticking

Outdoor lightbulbs, which are exposed to the elements, often get stuck in place and become hard to remove. Before screwing a lightbulb into an outdoor socket, coat the threads on the bulb with lip balm. This will prevent sticking and make removal easier.

Make drawers slide easier

Apply lip balm to the tracks of drawers and windows, or to the ridges on a medicine cabinet, for easier opening and shutting.

Shine your shoes

Rub a bit of lip balm on your shoes and buff with a dry washcloth for a quick and easy shoe shine.

Keep your shoes tied

Coat the part of the shoestring that you loop with lip balm to keep them from coming undone.

For Better Lip Service

As of December 2012, the FDA is now requiring new labeling to be included on lip balms. Due to this, there has been a slight increase in prices, as well as some new formulations. Lip balms can contain a variety of ingredients, some considered good, some considered not so good by some. Here's a quick rundown on some of the more common:

UVA/UVB Testing Requirements

UVA & UVB are forms of ultraviolet radiation which cause sunburns, and both have been linked to causing skin cancer. Lip balms which protect against both types of radiation are now labeled as "Broad Spectrum" sunscreen.

Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone has been a common chemical sunscreen used in products since 1978. However, some toxicology experts believe it is absorbed through the skin and is linked to hormonal disruption which can possibly lead to skin cancer. Some manufacturers are starting to replace it with another chemical, Octisalate, which does not have the possible hazardous effects of Oxybenzone.

Beeswax, Petrolatum, & Parabens

Petroleum(petrolatum) helps moisturize, but does not treat dryness. It's a temporary fix. Beeswax is a naturally healing antiseptic emollient which has a less sticky feel than petrolatum. Parabens are often used instead of beeswax and have been found in some studies to disrupt normal hormone function.

Menthol, Camphor, Phenol

Commonly found in balms, these can actually lead to dryness, irritation and/or peeling skin -- not exactly what you want on your lips!  Phenol is actually a substitute for formaldehyde, an embalming fluid. Again, not exactly something you want on your lips!

Natural Balms

If concern about chemicals is an issue, opt to choose natural lip balms which do not contain sunscreen. These lip balms use all natural ingredients for moisturizing lips, including coconut, jojoba, hemp, olive and sunflower oils and/or shea butter. Although they don't protect against sunburn, they do an excellent job of moisturizing and preventing chapped lips.

When it comes to lip balms, we have many options to help you choose the formulation and price that fits your marketing plan. Keep in mind that although natural or organic formulations may cost a little more, the benefits can outweigh the cost when compared to the less expensive options. A good quality lip balm is an excellent promotional item that will be used and remembered for a long time.