Winter is synonymous with chapped lips. And as such, many of us try to counteract this evilness by lathering on thick, hydrating lip balms day-in and day-out throughout the season.
Although this does allow us to relieve a dry pout, it can sometimes mean unwanted congestion is caused, resulting in the form of lip pimples and blackheads.
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We spoke to Kayla Houlihan, founder of the Australian made, natural skin care label, Tribe, on what causes congestion around the lip area, how to avoid it and the key ingredient she recommends for preventing the issue…
What causes lip congestion?
Congestion around the lip area can be attributed to the high oil content found in lip products. “While your lips don’t have hair follicles, the skin around your lips does,” says Kayla. “When these hair follicles get blocked or inflamed, breakouts can form in the area”.
How to prevent lip pimples
Do not fear; the solution isn’t one of the other. You can have hydrated lips without the breakouts, it’s just dependant on your application method and the ingredients in the products you’re using.
“Although it sounds obvious, [its important to] keep the lip balm contained to your lips, rather than on the skin around the area,” says Kayla. “Keep the area around your lips clean and dry”.
Sounds simple enough right? Well, not always. If you tend to over extend your lippy onto the skin, use a tissue to dab around your lips after application.
Ingredients to avoid
When it comes to checking you balm’s ingredient list, Kayla advises to “avoid comedogenic oils” as they are more likely to block your pores, leading to congestion. These include coconut oil and palm oil.
Great alternatives to look out for are almond oil lip balms and glosses, which are “non-comedogenic and super hydrating and repairing, ” she says, recommending Tribe Skincare Fruit Tingle! Hydrating Lip Balm.
bh also recommends: Bellamer Botanical Skin Care Nourishing Lip Balm and Billie Goat Soap Natural Lip Balm.
So next time you’re aimlessly looking our the window and lathering that lip gloss on, make sure you are colouring between the lines and using products that won’t encourage break uts.
We’ve already got enough on our plates, we really don’t need to be worrying about big whitehead pimples as we lean in for a smooch too.
Main image credit: @rosiehw
Do you get congestion around the mouth? Do you think it is from your lip balm?
That’s interesting, I hadn’t thought of it before. Thankfully I haven’t had any lip breakouts yet touch wood
The only Lip Balm that I use is Lip Paw paw Ointment always keeps my lips soft and supple. All Winter long.
What? Never heard of that issue. Till now.
Lanolips is a trustworthy balm
Not an issue for me.
In the past I have had this issue but I don’t seem to get it anymore
Interesting, as I do sometimes get pimples near my lips, and I am never without some sort of lip balm on.
Fortunately I’ve never had lip pimples.
Never been a problem for me. I use Lanolips at night, and various others during the day.
Not a sufferer of lip pimples.
mmm, good to use a lip exfoliator then
I rarely need lip balm, even in winter, so I don’t get this problem.
No, but my paw paw ointment gave me severe dermatitis on the lips which was fantastic… I no longer use paw paw
Ive always stuck with my burts bees lip balm and ive never had this problem thankfully.
I’ve never heard of lip pimples, and lip balms aren’t something I use every day.
I have tried umpteen brands of lip balm and they seem to dry my lips out. The only thing that works for me is lipstick or hand cream designed for dry skin.
Interesting, I’ve had a pimple right under my lower lip recently.
I occasionally get a pimple near my lips but I’m not sure what lip balm(if any) causes it.
Interesting! I wasn’t aware this was a thing. I have had issues with lip balms drying my lips out though. It’s usually ones with lanolin. Lanolin just doesn’t gel with my skin.
Don’t have this issue.
OH! So interesting! I have had 2 lately that were driving me crazy wondering what they were about. This makes so much sense. I am slightly obsessed with my Lanolips.
omg i did not know this was a thing. Thought it was just me haha
Never had this problem (thankfully) and I’ve used a lot of different lip balm brands.
Oooo interesting!
Never heard about it before.
Never heard of this before. I use Burts Bees and have never had this problem.
I never heard this before.
Well this interesting. I didnt realise coconut oil could cause it.
No lip pimples here – thank goodness!
Interesting… But I disagree about Coconut Oil as I use it all the time and never get lip pimples…
Most lip balms seem to not stay on very long
I haven’t had this problem, thankfully.
Definitely a victim here
Thankfully this has not been an issue for me.
Haven’t had this happen to me. But still good to know.
There are great products out there, look at natural ingredients, and the volume of ingredients as too much of any ingredient could be harmful. There are a bunch of great lip makeup here at https://megagrocery.com.au and best of all, they are much cheaper than the cosmetics stores. Some of them come with natural ingredients. Especially checkout the lip makeup section at https://megagrocery.com.au/index.php?route=product/category&path=20_120
Thanks for the tips; I’ve had a couple recently so I’ll try to be more careful when applying lip balm
I think also considering the lip balm’s expiry date might be an issue resulting in lip congestion.