Best Hydrating Lip Balms for Cold, Winter Weather

Yup, it's that time of year when those soft , kissable lips of yours turn into a scaly monster. Your best bet is to break out the lip balm. The problem is there are so many out there; which is the best one to use? The answer is to try out a few and then stick with what works for your lips.

The most popular brand of lip balm is Chapstick. This is the granddaddy of all lip protectors , being invented 128 years ago. It now comes in a variety of flavors and spfs. Usually most people have the original or cherry in their pockets and purses, but now it has peppermint and strawberry flavors. There's also a three pack one with Grape Craze, Blue Crazeberry and Fruit Craze. The company has also cashed in on the botanical trend, creating a brand new lip butter enriched with avocado, shea and raspberry. Any Chapstick variety goes on smoothly and does protect lips from chapping and irritation. However there are generic brands that are just as good and are about thirty to fifty cents cheaper. Walgreen's makes an excellent knockoff known as ChapAid. It has the same properties as the other , and it great for peeling or cracked lips. It also comes in the original or cherry flavors.

If you need heavy duty help, then go to the industrial strength Carmex. This has been around since 1937 and is great for all year round. It also helps in healing cold sores however it's best for healing cracked lips and protecting them against winter's cold. It does go on thicker than the average lip balm but then it lasts longer too. You can buy it in the regular tube , pot or squeeze tube form. There's a rumor (or legend or myth - whatever) that the stuff is addictive. Bull. It's a just great mix of menthol . camphor along with petrolatum and salicylic acid (this last for drying out and healing cold sores). It's great to use for extended periods out in the cold. Use it when you're skiing, skating and especially when you're shoveling snow. Most old schoolers use the ¼ and ½ oz jars that are great to stash away in purses or on night tables. Just dip your finger in and use the amount you want on your lips. Carmex also has cherry and its' new mint and strawberry flavors as well. It usually sells for around $1.50 so stock up on all kinds for the long winter ahead. Remember to use Carmex in the summer too. I've used this at the beach and it's tough enough to stand up to the strongest ocean wave. (One detractor though, sand sticks to your lips while you're wearing it. Apply it right before you hit the water).

Another durable lip balm is Cococare. This very affordable (only 99 cents) balm comes in a jaunty banana yellow tube and can be found everywhere. This goes on smoothly leaving lips well protected. It has a slightly chocolate-y taste and smell. Cococare also comes in a solid creme stick for skin (this is the best product ever for rough elbows and soles). It also doesn't rub off too quickly like some of the cheaper balms. Blistex is another popular brand. Its' company is similar to Chapsticks' because both have a variety of products that cater to various needs. They do have interesting fruit flavored ones such as melon and berry plus one with a light tint that can ac as a gloss. They also have a liquid balm that glides on lips as well as an herbal remedy one.

There are alternatives to these drugstore ones. Bath and Bodyworks has a full line of heavy duty balms that are perfect for cold weather. Try their Mentha spf 15 Lip Balm in its' slick black tube. This does cost six times as much as Chaptsick, Carmex and Blistex but it works beautifully. It goes on thick with a refreshing mint taste and cooling feel on lips. The company also sells the famous Rose Salve. It's a pretty pale pink balm that can also go on rough elbows and chapped cheeks. One of the strangest lip balms I've used is Hempola. I found it on an Ottawa seed company's site. Made from hemp oil, it comes in funky watermelon and lime flavors. It goes on very light however and is good for those days when your lips don't need quite so much protection. Another odd one is Davies Gate's Sea Grass . This tastes like lemon soda and goes on thinly. Again this is good for those days when the temps aren't so frigid and lip chapping.

Keep lips prepped for balm too during this time. Use a lip scrub such asLollibalms. Bath and Bodyworks or Ulta's every so often or just gently swipe your toothbrush against lips. Don't pick at any loose skin hanging off. This may result in scabbing , tearing and/or bleeding.

This season keep your lips soft and hydrated. The worst thing is to run around with a scaly, ugly mouth. Keep a tube of lip balm on the ready when you're ready to face harsh winter weather.