Have you ever experienced the sheer panic of reaching into your bag, feeling all around the bottom, and suddenly realising you’ve left your lip balm at home? If you’re anything like me, having a trusty tube of lip balm always within arm’s reach is practically a survival instinct! But what is this magical little stick that we all rely on, and how did it become such a staple in our daily routines? Let’s dive find out…
At its core, lip balm is a wax-like substance that is applied topically to the lips to moisturise, soothe, and protect the delicate skin. While our modern balms come in snazzy twist-up tubes, the concept itself is ancient. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptians were already onto the secret, mixing beeswax, olive oil and animal fats to protect their skin from the harsh desert elements.
Fast forward to the 1880s, and a physician named Dr. Charles Browne Fleet invented the first modern commercial lip balm. The original version looked a bit like a wickless candle wrapped in tin foil.
Why Our Lips Need Extra Love
Our lips need much more TLC compared to the rest of our face, which comes down to our biology. Unlike the rest of our skin, our lips don’t have sebaceous oil glands. This means they can’t produce their own moisture. Add in the fact that the skin on our lips is incredibly thin, and you have a recipe for dryness, cracking and flaking when exposed to cold wind, UV rays, or indoor heating.
A good lip balm acts as a superhero shield, locking in hydration, providing a protective physical barrier against the elements, and helping to repair damaged skin cells.
Yaoh Organic Hemp Seed Oil Lip Balm
And as you’ve probably already guessed, not all lip balms are created equal. Some are loaded with artificial chemicals that actually dry our lips out more, creating a vicious cycle of constant reapplication. That’s exactly why I swapped my old synthetic sticks for something much closer to nature with the Coconut and Spearmint Lip Balms from Yaoh.
If you haven’t heard of Yaoh before, they are one of the UK’s original hemp companies and are based in Bristol. Their lip balms use a star ingredient across their range, organic hemp seed oil, which is famously rich in fatty acids. It’s also brilliant for repairing and deeply nourishing damaged lips.
Instead of the standard beeswax that you find in most balms, Yaoh uses Candelilla wax which gives the balms a luxurious, buttery texture while staying completely plant-based and being vegan friendly. They are also free from parabens and unnecessary chemical additives, and are proudly cruelty-free with widely recyclable packaging.
Embracing Lip Balm In My Daily Routine
I’m a firm believer in having a specific balms for specific moods, so I keep both my Coconut and Spearmint flavours on rotation. The Coconut one lives permanently in my desk drawer. Whenever I hit an afternoon slump, swiping on a subtle, tropical scent feels like a mini two-second holiday whilst I work and instantly perks up my spirits.
The Spearmint flavour, on the other hand, is my ultimate on-the-go companion. It lives in my gym bag and gives me this gorgeous, refreshing zing that instantly wakes me up and leaves my lips feeling cool, calm, and perfectly protected against the elements.
Whether you are battling the autumn chills or just love a smooth, hydrated pout, then treating your lips to some high-quality, plant-based goodness can make a world of difference.
