Our lips deserve plenty of care and extra moisture since they don’t produce natural protective oils. It leaves them overly sensitive to dry or cold weather, and they can be symptoms of certain diseases due to vitamin deficiencies or thyroid-related problems. Even people who tend to lick their lips whenever they feel anxious could end up with sore, chapped lips due to excessive friction.
Given how CBD (cannabidiol) has demonstrated its promising abilities to fight off inflammations, bacterial infections, and free radicals, several wellness brands have tapped its potential as a primary ingredient of lip balms.
But how do CBD-infused lip care products differ from their generic counterparts? Are they worth the heftier price tag, or could this be just another fad that doesn’t live up to its hype?
Let’s find out the answer to these questions and more in our article about why CBD lip balms could be a great addition to your beauty and health essentials.
CBD Lip Balm 101
CBD lip balm combines the soothing effects of cannabidiol with other known moisturizing agents, such as:
- Beeswax
- Cocoa butter
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
- Sunflower oil
Together, these ingredients keep our lips from drying out while also providing additional health benefits that you don’t receive by using the typical lip balm.
Did you know that beeswax can theoretically last forever because it contains a powerful protective component known as “propolis”?
Through this substance, explorers found beeswax in ancient tombs, which has survived intact for thousands of years.
That said, you still need to be mindful of the best-before dates on any lip balm made with beeswax as an ingredient because the other product components have a limited shelf-life—CBD, for instance, can be used for 12 to 24 months after its manufacturing date.
This inspired creation has its roots in the preliminary studies conducted about the effects of CBD topicals and the considerable anecdotal evidence from CBD enthusiasts. Available now in various CBD dosages, flavors, and botanical blends, CBD lip balm has gained a loyal following among those who want to free themselves from painful and unsightly dry lips.
CBD vs. Chapped Lips
More often than not, chapped lips don’t pose any severe harm to our health. That does not mean you’d just have to leave them as they are.
Though you may opt for regular lip care products, CBD lip balm offers excellent value for money since it’s not just a moisturizer—four of its most significant health benefits go beyond skin-deep.
Anti-Inflammatory
Suppose your lips appear cracked, swollen, peeling, and unusually red. In that case, you might be suffering from cheilitis—a type of inflammation caused by environmental conditions, allergic reactions, fungal infections, or certain types of medication.
Some initial studies on CBD have demonstrated its ability to reduce inflammations. This health benefit occurs when this cannabinoid interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Since several ECS receptors can be found on our lips, the direct application of CBD through a lip balm form activates the anti-inflammatory effects of this natural lip care product.
Antibacterial
CBD lip balm may not be the first type of lip care product that can eliminate germs, but having this ability further proves that this product can be an essential addition to your beauty and health kit.
By using CBD lip balm, you may limit the spread of disease-causing microbes on your lips and mouth, thus lowering the risk of contracting cold sores and other common illnesses like cough or flu.
Antifungal
If the dryness or chapping are on the corners of your mouth, the most probable cause is a fungal infection. Fungi may start growing on those parts when you frequently lick your lips. Doing so creates the ideal condition for fungus to multiply to the point of forming white, itchy patches on the corners of your lips.
A 2016 review conducted by a team of researchers from the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology has highlighted CBD as a promising antifungal agent. CBD may eliminate the excessive presence of fungi on the affected area through the topical application while also preventing their uncontrollable fungal growth as long as you keep using it.
Given these, CBD lip balm may be one of the most effective solutions against fungal lip infections. You can use it to address an existing condition and lower the risk of developing diseases even when you still can’t get rid of your lip-licking habit.
Antioxidant
It’s not only our skin that needs to be protected from free radicals. Signs of aging may appear on your lips if you leave them exposed to harmful external factors, such as air pollutants, UV rays, or cigarette smoke. As a result, you will end up with damaged-looking, dry and wrinkly lips.
Consider using a lip balm with potent antioxidant properties to keep this from happening. CBD has exhibited its ability to serve as protection from free radicals, as indicated in a 2020 review of existing research on the biological effects of CBD.
Looking through these added benefits from using CBD lip balm, we conclude that it can be an effective way to moisturize, soothe, repair, and protect your lips, even while you’re always on the go.
Can You Get “High” By Using CBD Lip Balm?
No, as long as you have purchased your CBD lip balm from a reputable wellness brand.
Because of the 2018 Farm Bill, all CBD products must contain no more than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). When people talk about the psychoactive properties of cannabis, they are referring to the effects of THC on our systems. Given this, the US federal government prohibits the manufacturing, selling, and consumption of any CBD product that exceeds the limit on THC.
In short, you will not feel intoxicated or euphoric by keeping your lips moisturized through your favorite CBD lip balm from a brand that observes this regulation.
Finding the Best CBD Lip Balm for You
If you’re convinced that lip balms enhanced with CBD could be a great addition to your lip care routine, here are some valuable tips to remember since it’s not just the flavor or tint color that you should pay attention to.
Read the entire list of ingredients
Even though CBD is safe to use according to the WHO (World Health Organization), you might still end up suffering from an allergic reaction because most CBD lip balms consist of other botanicals that enhance the benefits of applying such products on your lips.
Avoid exacerbating your lip-related problems by being too excited to verify the ingredient list before purchasing the CBD lip balm.
Go for third-party tested CBD lip balms only
The thin layers of your lips make them extra sensitive and more absorbent than the rest of your skin. Don’t risk damaging them by purchasing CBD lip balm from cheap but dubious sources.
Always check if the product has an updated COA (certificate of analysis), proving that it has undergone testing by an independent and credible testing facility.
Consider starting with a low-dosage CBD lip balm
Nowadays, CBD lip balms may contain 5 to 200 mg of cannabidiol per tube. Though you might not notice the effects of a 10-mg CBD lip balm right away, we recommend beginning your trial with the low-CBD variants.
By doing so, you will identify the optimal dosage for you without suffering from the probable adverse side effects of cannabidiol, such as nausea, drowsiness, or dry mouth.
Explore your CBD lip balm options through subscription boxes
Our favorite way to sample various CBD products involve getting curated subscription boxes from our trusted brands. CBD lip balms typically come along with other cannabis-infused beauty products, but some brands customize each package according to their customers’ preferences.
Either option works for us because we’re always excited to try new CBD product selections to determine if they are worth recommending to our fellow CBD fans.
Is CBD Lip Balm the Right Choice for You?
That depends on the condition of your lips. If you experience mild dryness due to the dry or cold weather on that particular day, then you may be better off sticking with the generic lip balm.
However, if you’re chronically struggling due to sore and chapped lips, CBD lip balm will likely be worth the extra few dollars you’d have to spend to get one for yourself. You’d be getting a lip moisturizer with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties—all in just a single package.
Sounds incredibly promising, right?
Remember to exercise caution when evaluating and selecting a CBD lip balm. The cannabis market continues to grow each day, so be sure to verify the CBD brand that has caught your attention.
For more guides and objective evaluations of CBD products, check out our reviews from our team here at TheCBDGuru.org.
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