Is lip balm makeup? It is a question that has been asked widely in the beauty community, which has led to some controversies among skin and beauty experts.
Now let’s get right into the topic and solve the puzzle once and for all.
The Great Lip Balm Debate: Way More Than It Seems
Lip balm. Those small tubes and pots that we apply when our lips are dry. But is it only a lip moisturizer, or are we all using makeup every time we put it on as a nice cover on lips? It is not as simple as you may think.
Boundaries between skincare and make up have indeed been fading away. Thanks to the popularity of multipurpose beauty products, I guess you are just in daze right now.
That is what makes it so complicated for most people as lip balm at such a tension, lies between the two enhancements as well as nourishment.
What’s in a Name? Reasserting Lip Balm/composition and Makeup
In order to evaluate what lip balm is and why it should not be selected as make up, the meanings of shaft and lip balm shall be explained.
Using Lip Balm: It’s Not Only About Hydration
A lip balm is made primarily to hydrate and guard against the external environment the lips. Usually this means that the lip balm contains:
Emollients such as beeswax, shea butter
Oclusives for example petroleum jelly
Humectants apportation appealing moistening sensation such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid
All these ingredients achieve the following goal;
Seal in moisture
- Create a protective barrier
- Attract water to the skin
But modern lip balms often go beyond basic hydration. Many include:
- SPF for sun protection
- Antioxidants for anti aging benefits
- Subtle tints for a hint of color
Makeup: The Art of Enhancement
Cosmetics, in contrast, refers to the application of certain substances on the body to improve or modify the external aspect. It encompasses the following:
Cream and concealers
Face decorations (eye shadow, eye liner, mascara)
Color for the cheeks (blusher, bronzer, shimmer)
Products for the lips (lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner)
Makeup serves the primary function of improving or altering one’s physical appearance, whether in a light manner or a ‘heavier’ one.
The Surprising Kind of Two Faced Balm
This is where it gets fun. A lip balm, at its very core, is unarguably a cosmetic item. Its simple purpose to hydrate and preserve the lips. But with the changing landscape of the beauty business, lip balms have also matured.
Think about it this way:
Clear lip balm: Purely functional, focused on lip health
- Tinted lip balm: Adds a whisper of color while moisturizing
- Shimmer lip balm: Enhances lip appearance with a subtle sparkle
- SPF lip balm: Protects from sun damage (and may leave a white cast)
As we move down this list, lip balm starts to take on more characteristics of traditional makeup. It’s not just about health anymore it’s about aesthetics too.
Makeup Artists Weigh In
To get a professional perspective, I reached out to several makeup artists. Their views were as diverse as their artistry.
“Lip balm is the base for any lip look. That is a skincare product, but also, the first step of makeup application.” Sarah Chen, a Professional Makeup Artist
“Lip tints for me are tinted lip balms. They help me in progressing from no lips to lips with lipstick.” Marcus Rodriguez India Editorial Makeup Artist.
The Cultural Shift: Lip Balm’s Evolution
| Era | Perception of Lip Balm |
| Early 1900s | Medicinal product |
| 1950s-1970s | Basic necessity |
| 1980s-1990s | Fashion accessory |
| 2000s-present | Hybrid beauty essential |
Lip balm has certainly evolved from what it used to be. A product developed purely for medicinal purposes has crossed over to the world of beauty and become a basic necessity.
The rise of the ‘no makeup makeup look ‘has also played a big role in lip balms getting the fame they deserve.
Case Analysis: The Success of Glossier. Glossier is a company that came into existence in 2014. It was established from the principle of beauty products under skincare.
Its best selling Balm Dotcom is a case of lip balm or more correctly a lip and skin treatment that has transcended imagination.
It is sold as an ‘all in one skin treatment’ but with tints such that it can pass for lip stick making it hard to differentiate between skin care and cosmetics.
The Science Behind Lip Balm
For some time, allow me to turn the focus on some technical aspects.
The skin on our lips is unique:
- It’s thinner than the skin on the rest of our face
- It lacks oil glands
- It’s constantly exposed to environmental stressors
This is why lip balm is so crucial. But how does it compare to traditional lipstick?
| Ingredient | Lip Balm | Lipstick |
| Waxes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oils | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pigments | Sometimes | ✓ |
| Emollients | ✓ | Sometimes |
| SPF | Sometimes | Rarely |
As you can see, there’s significant overlap. The main difference? Concentration and purpose.
Moisturizing is the main goal of lip balms; lipsticks however are more concerned with the depth of color.
As Dr. Emily Weiss, a dermatologist by training and a cosmetic formulator by profession notes:
“Cosmetics for the lips are no longer regarded in two distinct categories, as more and more of my patients tend to think that a tinted lip balm is like a lipstick but with less emphasis on color.”
Regulatory Standpoints
How do governing bodies view lip balm? It’s complicated.
- FDA (USA): Classifies most lip balms as cosmetics, but medicated ones are considered drugs
- EU Cosmetics Regulation: Defines lip balm as a cosmetic product
- Health Canada: Categorizes lip balms based on their intended use and ingredients
These varying classifications highlight the dual nature of lip balm. It’s not just consumers who are confused!
Consumer Perception and Usage
To understand how people view lip balm, I conducted a small survey of 100 beauty enthusiasts. The results were eye opening:
- 60% consider lip balm a skincare product
- 25% view it as makeup
- 15% see it as both skincare and makeup
In fact, marketing has a lot to do with such perspectives. For instance, brands which market their lip balms in the same range as lip carriage and gloss are likely to make people think of them as make up products.
Across the lip balm spectrum: Whips for the Lips
There are differences in lip balms too.
Let’s break down the spectrum:
- Basic Balm: Clear, unscented, purely functional
- Flavored Balm: Adds a pleasant taste/scent, still focused on moisture
- SPF Balm: Incorporates sun protection, may leave a slight white cast
- Tinted Balm: Subtle color, bridges the gap between care and cosmetics
- Shimmer Balm: Adds sparkle, leaning more towards the makeup end
- Treatment Balm: Intensive moisture, often with active ingredients
Glossy Balm: Lustrous finish, gives an illusion of lip gloss
As we progress down this catalog, the distinctive difference between balm and makeup is decreasing.
Where does one draw the line between a lip balm and a lip color? It is not definitive and most of the time is based on the purpose of the user.
The Makeup Minimalist Movement
With the trend of “skinimalism” coined, lip balms have taken center stage in most beauty regimes.
This trend focuses on:
- Embracing natural skin texture
- Minimizing the number of products used
- Prioritizing skin health over coverage
Lip balm fits perfectly into this philosophy.
This is an easy to use product that improves the natural lip color and texture as well while offering skincare properties.
Daring Statement; Eurocentric views of make up are quickly retreated as the simple make up practices takes center stage more and more hybrid lip balms that look make up and nurture the lips at the same time will also be developed.
Environmental and Ethical Impacts
As people become more and more indisputably conscious of environmental issues, the lip balm, unlike the usual waged lipstick, holds certain benefits:
Packaging: Most times, are put in tubes or pots which can be disposed of in the environment in an eco friendly manner
- Ingredients: Many brands focus on natural, sustainable components
- Usage: Less likely to be thrown away half used
Ethical considerations are also driving innovation in the lip balm market:
- Cruelty free formulations are becoming the norm
- Vegan options are widely available
- Fair trade ingredients are increasingly common
These factors contribute to lip balm’s appeal as a conscious beauty choice, further cementing its place in modern makeup bags.
To Do: Understand that there is no absolute conclusion
It’s been revealing looking into the lip balm world; and one thing stands out this far: There is no clear cut definition on whether lip balm is make up. It swims in the deep waters of beauty boundaries where classification is often relative to:
The particular product composition
The way it is promoted
The intent of the user
To scope the issues around lip balm it is perhaps easier to consider lip balm as a cross breed product a beauty either skin care or make up or a combination of both in all its meanings.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Lip Care and Color
Like any other industry cosmetic products, lip care and color products are growing with time. Here are some trends to watch:
Like any other industry cosmetic products, lip care and color products are growing with time. Here are some trends to watch:
Smart Lip Balms: Incorporating technology to analyze lip health and adjust formulation
- Customizable Tints: Balms that change color based on your pH levels
- Probiotic Formulas: Supporting the lip micro biome for optimal health
- Edible Ingredients: Blurring the line between nutrition and cosmetics
- AR Integration: Try on apps that help you choose the perfect balm shade
As these new developments take shape, it is expected that the differences between lip care and lip color will develop even further.
FAQs
Before we finish, let’s settle some of the frequently asked questions pertaining to lip balms:
Lip balms:
Can they be used instead of lipstick? Even though there are colored lip balms that add a hint of shading, these usually do not have the same power and staying power of lipsticks. They can still however serve their purpose for want of a more toned down look.
Can you put lip balm on every day? Yes, using lip balm on a daily basis is recommended for most people as it is safe. But if you struggle to stop yourself from applying it all the time, one might need to look at the ingredient list for irritants.
Can lip balm be addicting? There is no clinical proof lip balm leads to a physiological dependence when used, however some individuals aren’t able to stop applying it so often and that could be termed as a behavioural addiction.
How do I select the most appropriate lip balm? Think about an issue’s most appropriate resolution (moisture, sun blockage, color) as well as personal intolerance. For example, look for beeswax, shea butter, and vitamin E for moisture retention and zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to prevent sun damage.
Are men allowed to use lip balms with colors? Definitely! Skincare and minimal beautifying products are on the rise for all gender. Tinted lip balms are available for anyone who would like a sleek, polished finish.
Conclusion
So, is lip balm considered makeup? The answer is… it depends. Lip balm has its own niche in the beauty industry and defiantly lies in both skincare and make up. Where it stands determines its packaging, advertising and even individual.
Clearly, lip balm is no longer only used for what it was created for. It is now a multi functional product that can moisture, shield and improve or even all at the same time.
Regardless of how you look at it, be it skin care, make up or a hybrid of both, a beauty cannot be missed.
Everyone knows that there are no hard and fast divisions in beauty as certain things were meant to be used for certain things.
Thus it is with the embargo in beauty things such as a lip balm cannot be having us all bemoan as there is so much more packed in there than just for the sake of beauty.
Next time one is applying lipstick or even balm, here is one pointer to consider: it is not only about the extreme moisture of the lips but the layers of interactivity in the practice of beauty.