One Frugal Thing — Blistex Addiction
by Katy on February 18, 2025 · 55 comments
My husband had a dental appointment yesterday, so I waved him off with a request to “grab a couple of their lip balms for me.” I’ve been addicted to Blistex “medicated” lip balm since the early 1990s and it’s a win-lose cycle of moisturizing my lips with something that inversely dries them out. This is an excellent business model for them and a frustrating experience for me, yet here I am caught in the cycle.
I noticed that a cheapo tube of lip balm, (oddly from my son’s old corporate apartment complex) didn’t seem to contain menthol, which is the ingredient that ironically dries out your lips. This is why I asked my husband to grab a similar tube from our dentist. Luckily the desk staff was generous, actually telling my husband to “take the whole bowl.” Spoiler — he didn’t.
Can I break my addiction to my beloved Blistex medicated lip balm? I hate how reliant I am to the stuff and would love to step away from buying this product. I shudder to think how much I’ve inadvertently ingested through the years.
If you’ve broken the lip balm cycle and have any advice to share, I’d love to read your thoughts. Ugh . . .
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
I switched to Aquafor, which is not only cheap but it is also what doctors recommend for pretty much anything. You can use it on abrasions, burns, cuticles, chapped lips, ashy elbows – you name it. I buy the larger tubes rather than the lip ones because then I can share a squirt here or there with my son or husband. Highly recommended!
I use Bert’s Bees overnight lip treatment balm. It comes in a little jar. I think mine is passion fruit flavored? I used to be a lip balm addict, but this stuff broke my habit. I got it from the clearance rack a few years ago, and when it’s gone, I’ll pay full price for another.
There are a lot of lip balms that come in lipstick-like tubes:
A friend who used to live near Seattle likes a product called Lizard Lips. Not sure what it has in it, but I don’t think it contains menthol. Or reptile parts.
Down here in Texas, we sell a product called Chicken Poop. It’s motto is “Grandpa says if you have chapped lips, put Chicken Poop on them and you won’t lick ’em.” Below it is a disclaimer saying “contains no poop.” Lest you think this corny country humor is native to the Lone Star State, let me tell you it’s made in Kansas.
And of course there is the famous Bert’s Bees lip balm, in addition to the traditional Chapstick.
Personally my favorite is Dr Pepper Lip Smacker by Bonnie Bell bc it tastes like my favorite soft drink. To which I am addicted.
Well, Kansas IS in the corn belt!
OMG, I got a tube of Lizard Lips while on a road trip to AZ and loved the stuff. Can’t find anyone that sells it in KC, I about cried when I finished off the tube. I have gotten in the habit of slathering on the lip goo before I sleep as I used to have a cpap, then quit smoking, no more cpap, but still like to slather on lip goo before I sleep.
Bonne Bell Lip Smackers are STILL around? Wow!
I don’t use anything on my lips except the occasional lipstick. I don’t believe I’ve ever used lip balm except the aforementioned Lip Smackers. Man, sometimes I miss being a teenager, when cosmetics and Love’s Baby Soft and Sea Breeze and Vitabath meant happiness, along with saving up for mall clothes.
They have one shaped like a coke bottle, tastes like it too
I have some lip smackers that look like crayons
I remember Muguet des Bois, wish I had some now
I LOVE the smell of lilies of the valley. If you can find Diorissimo, it’s very similar. Wore it for my wedding.
Diorissimo. Norman Hartnell’s “ In love” , and worth checking anything labelled “ Muguet de Bois”
Vermont Country Store catalog often carries the old scents.
And Tangee lipstick, which shows up in the old books.
I love the Dr Pepper lipsmackers! I ask for it every year for Christmas. I have one if the ginormous ones that I keep in my work desk. It’s lasted years.
I remember having a big lip smacker that I wore on a cord around my neck in junior high school. It might have been Dr. Pepper — or maybe root beer!
Someone introduced me to Aquaphor recently. I thought it was just expensive Vaseline but it’s only 40% petroleum jelly.That 60% other stuff makes it work really well for lips, face, elbows, knees and who knows what. I don’t have to apply it to my lips as often as I did all the other products I’ve tried over the year. Some days I even forget to use it with no crappy effects.
Like you, I’m 100% lip-protection reliant. The Blistex Lip Medex in the blue pot has been my go-to product for decades. It may in fact contain Menthol. All of my pots have been used and re-used for so long that the writing has worn off. For a while, I used the EOS eggs, even figuring out a way to refill them. I finally realized it was doing exactly what you described, so I gave every EOS thing I had away.
Interestingly, my dentist’s office has giveaway lip balm that looks remarkably like your dentist’s. I find they work extremely well. I just popped into the office this morning to reschedule an appointment (I was already in the area and on foot). I totally forgot to grab one, for which I am now kicking myself.
There is another product called Soft Lips that I used to find at my Kaiser Pharmacy and I had really good luck with that, too. The cases are longer, slimmer, and the plastic is thinner, which hopefully means less plastic waste. It’s SPF 20, which is a bonus, and it’s inexpensive.
Another idea is Aquaphor, which is very gentle. I often use it to refill the blue pots. The price has increased a stupid amount, but one tub lasts for years. It’s probably HSA approved, so you might get “free” it that way.
Ok, so I am so jealous, free lip balm from the dentist, wow!!! They just do the odd tiny tube of grotty chemical filled toothpaste here. I don’t use but I do collect them to pass on to food bank and the Christmas show box scheme, never waste a freebie!!!!
I bought a wee tin of vaseline lip balm, in an emergency, but really pleased with it. Father Christmas always gets “posh” lip balm for stockings, but can never remember the best one. I have a feeling moogoo was quite good, though pricey.
When you suffer with chapped lips, I think it’s a health and safety type thing, buy or make what works. Don’t struggle with really cheap and then be sore!!
Good luck people, stay moisturized!! Xx
I used to be addicted to Blistex and then I moved on the Bert’s Bee’s. Now I’m trying aquaphor. They make an Aquaphor lip balm now that my daughter likes. It doesn’t dry out your lips.
Trader Joe’s has a 3 tube aloe lip balm for 2.99 (last time I bought)- It has a pleasant taste, but not waxy like some lip balms) and doesn’t have to be continually re-applied (like I’ve found to be the case with Burt Bees Vanilla Maple.
Okay, so this is going to seem counter-intuitive… but I use this stuff called LaLa Lips (https://tinyurl.com/mrxxr6em) and while it is ridiculously expensive for one tube ($20), however, IT LASTS forever and you only have to swipe it on MAYBE once a day. I’ve realized that now that it’s the sole lip balm I use, I only need every few days. At first I applied it AM/PM and more often if I was blowing my nose a lot or sneezing etc.. but when I’m well and healthy, I only have to apply it once a day or less and my lips RARELY ever feel dry and they never crack. It’s amazing!
I will also note that I only use the plain and the lemon. The tinted versions DO seem to dry out my lips like a lipstick would, but the plain and the lemon don’t do that at all. I’m all for generics and cheaper options for most things, but this stuff really does work wonders and I don’t like the way any other chapsticks feel now (plasticy and dry).
Perhaps mix the two together and keep decreasing the amount of lip balm with Menthol?
I have been using home made salves for lip balm— usually a combo of infused oil of some type (almond, olive, etc) and beeswax. They work so well and are totally customizable. Plus, you can refill old tins, etc with the new balm when you make it! I also have a significant amount of some kind of unrefined butter (shea?) that I got from my barter group, and it works really well as a moisturizer at night.
It’s not lip balm that I’m addicted to. It’s a little steroid cream that I use that heals up zits and cuts almost overnight. It’s called fluocinolone. I originally used it on my eczema. Chemo somehow cured my eczema and dandruff, I swear, but I still use this stuff on any kind of face booboo. It’s prescribed. It’s low cost with a scrip but it’s not free. And it’s probably not good for me. Cold turkey? It is probably bad for me but so far I can’t quit. It works so well…
I believe your question actually was how to stop using lip balm, yes? I too was addicted to it for years (no other word for it) and was never more than inches away from my tube. Until my boss told me to lose the stuff, she never wanted to see me use it again. So, I went cold turkey. Threw away my stash. As with any addiction, getting off it is hell and you will think of nothing else for a couple of weeks and feel crappy. But stick it out, you can do it, and my guess is you will never regret it.
Now when my lips are legitimately dry, I swipe on a bit of petroleum jelly. Frugal and for me not addictive.
You can do it.
I am perplexed as to why a boss would demand an employee not to use chapstick?!?
I rely on plain old generic Vaseline … should I not?! It’s sure cheap.
While I use regular old Burt’s Bees – most often when I am outside on days like today when it was -20 when I went out this morning – Vaseline is the best bang for your buck. Last I knew they sold it in small tubes (not a bargain) but you can fill any small lid-stays-on container to keep in your purse or car.
I make my own, melting beeswax, organic olive oil and calendula petals, optional. Look it up.
The best product I have found for dry lips is plain old petroleum jelly, store brand of course.
For dry hands Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. I discovered this stuff many years ago and it’s awesome. Look for sales.
For otherwise dry skin (my legs turn into sandpaper in the winter) Vaseline Intensive Care.
The last two products I mentioned are name brand but worth it for me.
I have to put on lip balm before bed. Just cannot stand dry lips while trying to sleep. My favorite is plain Chapstick, but I bought some Nivea on a sale and it’s extra good: big tube and it’s softer.
Burt’s Bees peppermint might be a good step-down balm for you.
Seems low on the dangerous addiction scale. I’m going to say pass.
My brother was addicted to nasal sprays, sigh. I put just saline solution in a nasal spray bottle and it really helped him.
Oh, gosh, I remember in high school everyone was into Carmex (in the little pot). That stuff was addictive as well, with the menthol. Later on I got hooked on Burt’s Bees Peppermint lip balm. Trader Joe’s also made a peppermint lip balm like Burt’s bees, IIRC.
To get off the menthol train, I started using Aquaphor from the tub for my lips and it works very well. A while ago I got one of the small pocket-size tubs and I just refill it as needed from the large tub I keep in the hall closet. I put it on at night, usually, and sometimes during the day if I need it. Doing this helped me break the menthol cycle.
I’m envious that your dentist gives out lip balm! The only thing we’ve ever gotten is floss, toothpaste (the kind we never use) and toothbrushes.
My lips were awful and I was always putting anything and everything on them. I tried coconut oil, even crisco since I cannot stand any flavoring or scent. I tried so so many things. OI am in total love with the Cetaphil Healing Ointment. It is magic. I could put it on only at night and probably be ok but I out some in a small jar to carry with me. I now use it on my feet as well, putting sox on for overnight treatment. This stuff is magic. Yes, I had tried aquaphor and did not like it. This ointment is everything. I will never be without it and my lips have not been this good forever! Please try it!
I am so sorry for the typos in the comment I sent! It is cold here and I am going too fast… forgive me. Do try the Cetaphil Ointment!
I don’t know anyone else who does what I do, but I never, ever have chapped lips, although I do have fairly dry skin, and like most people, I don’t drink enough water. I use a lip liner pencil during the day, but I don’t just line my lips; I color them in. I use Gabriel Cosmetics brand. It’s more subtle than lipstick and seems to have more staying power than lip balm (or lipstick for that matter). I put lip balm on at night and I don’t have strong brand loyalty, although I lean towards those that are supposed to be free of toxic ingredients. Dr. Bronner and Mangiacotti are two brands I like. I generally just apply lip liner once in the morning, and the lip balm once at night. I can’t for the life of me imagine applying something repeatedly that was drying out my lips.
Wait, so not everyone has a chapstick system?!
Nightstand chapstick, pocket chapstick, and 2 in my purse (I need a backup in case one of them has to move up to pocket chapstick).
And a car chapstick depending on the season (they do not survive the Texas heat).
I know I have a problem, but I figure if I managed to quit smoking I can keep this vice.
That’s me too! I have lip moisturizers everywhere! I do not like Blistex I don’t like the menthol. Bag Balm is an inexpensive alternative. Not sure I have any tips for stopping. I also collect free ones. I’ve never seen any at the dentists but our dog groomer often has them and when I work at pet shows vendors usually have them for free.
Nope. I also don’t use any moisturizer at all. I tend to think it’s a scam anyway.
Me too!! I have them stashed everywhere.
My beloved chapstick for more than 10 years is Portland Bee Balm – I buy it in bulk when they have sales and live being able to give the tubes as part of a gift if I want to. I love the unscented but the mint and yuzu are also lovely. I suspect you can find it in nearly any grocery store there as it’s a local brand. ☺️
My lips and skin are very dry so I can’t really break the addiction to products that help with that. I use Trader Joe’s Head to Toe Moisturizing Balm on my lips, hands and feet. It comes in a tin (like for snuff) and its non-greasy and non-smelly. They sell it seasonally so I stock up.
I worked at a dental office for many years and we also gave out lip balm to our patients and they all said it was the best ever. The ingredient that made it so good was beeswax. It’s soft and goes on easy, but is also water resistant so liquids and saliva don’t dissolve it off. Give it a try!
I’ve switched over to exclusively using Vaseline at home, but still carry a tube of whatever balm I find on sale in my purse.
Hi Katy, I was addicted to labello (a South African brand). I ended up using a mild OTC cortisone ointment for few days, and then started using Bepanthen (might also be a local brand), a rich nappy (diaper) cream. I’m now down to Bepanthen only, a few nights a week
My husband was addicted to blistex for probably 20 years. And I got him to switch to using the purple tube of Lansinoh lanolin cream. It stays on your lips for hours and hours and hours. It is ridiculous that a middle-aged man carries around a tube of nursing nipple cream but it works!
LOL Julia!
I’m a big fan of BagBalm – we used it for everything growing up in and out of the barn (you can find big tins, mini tins, and tubes at a good price at TJ Maxx/Marshalls often). The trick to using “barrier” ointments (Vaseline, Aquaform, BagBalm, etc) is to moisten your lips first with water, then apply, it helps trap the moisture against your lips so they can hydrate. Same goes for facial/body moisturization – apply to a moist face/body right out of the shower to help seal in that water. I have eczema and live in the dry cold Northeast. Even drinking 200+ ounces of water a day my lips and skin need the help. These are tips I’ve picked up from Derms over the years and it does make a difference! I do love me a black or blue Chapstick on occasion too.
I love Badger Balm cocoa butter lip balm, the like-a-tube-of-lipstick kind. (I’m a germaphobe and can’t use the kind you apply with your fingers.) I’m completely addicted to it but I don’t worry about that at all. 😉 They have many different flavors, and I finally decided “creamy cocoa” was my favorite. I have four going in the house at all times and one in my purse. These are pretty substantial tubes and they last a long time. Badger Balm is a wonderful company (cruelty free, solar-powered, a B Corp) and I stock up when they have 30-40% off sales throughout the year. They make an “herbal tea tree” lip balm with tea tree, lemon balm, menthol, EVOO and beeswax which might be helpful to you for transitioning away from the full on menthol kind. I’ve never noticed this one to be drying.
I use Weleda’s Skin Food Lib Butter. It has beeswax, lanolin and sunflower seed oil, chamomile and calendula extracts. In fact, I have often found that plain facial oil works really well as long as you don’t lick it before it’s absorbed.
My daughter also got addicted to lip balm after she got into the habit of licking her lips. It took years but she was finally able to stop using lip balm last year. I’m pretty sure it was a hormonal thing as she also had dry eyes and nostrils. While this was going on I made her a lip balm out of beeswax and rapeseed oil. The ratio is about 1 part wax to 4 parts oil. I just fiddled around with it, if it was too hard I melted it again (in a double boiler) and added more oil, if it was too soft I melted it again and added more wax. I used empty pill cases and the small honey jars that you get at hotel buffets sometimes to store it in.
The best I’ve ever used, Pure and Simple Lip Balm, is from Ginny Seller’s Etsy page called Little Meadows. It’s not cheap, but has only natural ingredients, lasts a long time, and is made by a human being, not machines.
I always use lip balm, i have 2 in my purse, one on my desk at work, one on dresser ! BUT, am not brand loyal – I have SO MANY free tubes from various events that I have stashed in a container in bathroom closet. I have not purchased a lip balm in many many years!
I use petroleum jelly.
I use paw paw ointment for my lips – have done so for over a decade. I live in New Zealand and the brand I use is Lucas, made in Australia. (Paw paw is also known as papaya in case there are any language differences).
I have broken the Blistex addiction cycle! I use 100% lanolin, once in the morning and once in the evening. I used to panic if I didn’t have Blistex in my purse, now I can leave the house without any lip stuff. My sister in law gave me Lansinoh lanolin when I was breastfeeding and I found it worked great on my lips. I get mine now from a local shepherd.
I’ve loved your blog for years, can’t believe this is the subject that is finally getting me to post a comment!