to attempt to make a natural alternative to Vaseline/lipsalve in an attempt to beat my dependence on it

[MariaWaria]

I know I'm not alone in being dependent on smearing Vaseline etc on my lips many times per day. This has gone on for years and I believe there is something in these products that dries the lips out making the problem worse - petroleum?

I'd like to make a natural potion that would make my lips feel good and not do any harm. There are lots of recipes around but would I BU to use a recipe of beeswax, shea butter, and avocado oil? Or is that no better than Vaseline etc?

I don’t think you’d be unreasonable to make your own lip balm, but I don’t quite understand why.

Are you saying you think lip balm is deliberately designed to make your lips dryer? Or are you saying that you are addicted to lip balm?

Get o Keefes lip balm

Plenty of other people already make that?

I just use organic shea butter OP, might not be perfect but better than vaseline

Beeswax, avocado oil, shea butter. Melt in an old pan and pour into pots. Lasts for ages.

I agree OP, petroleum based products dry out my lips and give me a terrible chapped lips rash. But why make when you can buy great non petroleum alternatives? Shea butter based salves good, lipstick queen Saint ones are great. My favourite is pure high grade lanolin called lanolips from boots. (Other chemists are also available)

I find vaseline very drying on my lips, as well as chap stick. I have a Burts Bees one that is really good though, the only one that I've ever really got on with.

Here they sell something called Waxelene. It's a petroleum jelly alternative made with beeswax, rosemary oil, etc. You may want to look for that. Whole Foods carries it.

I make my own balm, I use beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin e oil, cocoa butter, and peppermint oil.

I took DS to the doctor as his lips were so dry and chapped and bleeding. She told us that putting anything on them would not help and that the problem was caused by dehydration. Since then he has made an effort to drink a lot more and the problem has gone.

I find Vaseline makes my lips feel parched, I can understand why people get "addicted" to it because you keep needing to reapply it.

I'd go for a proper lip balm like those mentioned. They actually moisturise your lips rather than just putting a layer on the surface.

Just go cold turkey for a few weeks and it will sort itself out. You can also just use coconut oil.

Burts bees.

Alternatively, rub a mixture of oil and sugar on your lips to exfoliate, then moisturise with coconut oil.

Vaseline is so bad for lips. I use the basic blue Nivea one. Its brilliant.

Coconut oil

I agree with the pp who mentioned dehydration - I get in a cycle of cracking lips when I don't drink enough, and spend too long sat in front of a heater. The only way to fix it really is drinking water constantly and putting on a jumper instead of my portable heater...

Burt's bees. Best lip balm out there, and you'll find it practically everywhere. I used to use Vaseline and Carmex(which I loved, especially in the winter months) but natural beeswax is so much better for you.

Just stop using crap lip salve. Try La Roche Posay Cicaplast. It's excellent.

Interesting thread. I never thought of myself as being addicted to Vaseline before, but I'm another one who dabs it on throughout the day. I can't go to sleep without putting some on. Might give Burts Bees a go. In reality, I couldn't be bothered with a DIY alternative.

More than happy to buy rather than make but was unaware any were available without nasties in.

This is a good thread for me as I'm addicted to lip salve, even sleep with it under my pillow for nighttime application! For me, only Lipsyl will do but perhaps I should try Burt's Bees. Hadn't thought of dehydration being a reason.

apply olive oil, safe, effective, easy - only carrying it with you means a small travel type bottle.

I use coconut oil. works a treat on myself and ds2

Wow this could have been me writing this a year ago. Addicted since my teens. Started making my own and it’s amazing. I thought it would be hard to ween but it wasn’t as this recipe is fab. I bought a load of little glass lip balm jars and make about 10 at a time so don’t have to do it too often. I follow this

www.ourhomemadelife.com/diy-homemade-natural-honey-coconut-lip-moisturizer/

Posted too soon. I use a bamboo steamer and put the ingredients in a glass bowl on top but sure the saucepan works great too. The key is to follow the stirring instructions to the tee. If you don’t stir for long enough it separates as it sets. Oh I also sometimes add a few drops of orange oil or vanilla. Good luck!

The O’Keefes one mentioned upthread is excellent- only about £2 in Boots and it’s really heavy duty stuff. One application lasts a few hours.

I bought a Nuxe pot of super-duper lip balm which is designed to be used over night as it’s so thick- it works wonders when the weather gets cold and the central heating has really dried out my lips. It’s great, but it’s £10 (although the same pot has lasted me over a year) and you can’t put it on during the day as it has the same consistency as wall paper paste.