This Lip Balm Saved My Flaky Chapped Lips This Winter

Why won’t you heal????!!!

That’s me after one month of dealing with chapped lips.

Let’s go back to the beginning. A few weeks before Christmas I went for a peel. I do this a few times a year. Totally normal.

Except this time, some of the peel must have ended up on my lips. Cue dryness, flakiness and all that malarkey.

I totally expected this. Peels can have this side effect on the sensitive skin of the lips. What I didn’t expect was it to last so long.

No matter what I used, my lips stubbornly remained chapped. Everything was either too lightweight or contained some form of mint (that’s irritating and just makes the flaking worse).

I couldn’t even mask those ugly big flakes with lipstick. That just made it look way worse.

I was literally at the end of my tether when La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres Barrier Repairing Balm landed on my desk.

I swear clouds parted and angels sang when I first tried it. Yep, it’s that good.

Here’s what makes it work so well:

What’s In La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres Barrier Repairing Balm?

SHEA BUTTER TO STRENGTHEN THE SKIN’S PROTECTIVE BARRIER

Shea butter is one of the most moisturising things on this planet.

Derived from the nut of the Shea tree, this butter is loaded with fatty acids, including linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid.

These fatty acids are super moisturising. They create a barrier on the skin that slows down water loss, keeping skin well-hydrated for up to 8 hours.

Studies show that Shea butter works just as well as mineral oil (that’s what derms think is the gold standard for moisturising skin). It works even on the driest of skin types (or the most chapped lips).

Related: Why Shea Butter Is A Godsend For Dry Skin

Have no idea how to take care of your dry skin? Download the “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” Cheatsheet below. It includes product recommendations + the right order to use them in:

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE TO MOISTURISE SKIN

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is one of the most common emollients found in skincare. Yet, no one has heard of it. I guess it’s not as sexy as Shea butter.

I know it sounds like a horribly dangerous chemical (by the way, everything – including water – is a chemical), but it’s actually derived from the fatty acids in coconut oil.

Coconut oil is another moisturising substance Mother Nature has put at our disposal. But it can give you pimples. 🙁

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride has a lighter texture and feel than coconut oil, yet it’s still super moisturising. In other words, you get the benefits of coconut oil without its side effects.

Related: Is Coconut Oil A Sunscreen? (The Answer May Surprise You)

PANTHENOL TO SOOTHE SKIN

Panthenol is the provitamin of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).

(In case you’re wondering, a provitamin is a substance that’s converted into a vitamin – in this case, vitamin B5 – inside a living cell).

It works as a humectant. In plain English, it attracts water from the air and binds it into your lips, keeping them hydrated for hours.

That’s in the short term. In the long term, panthenol has even cooler superpowers. When used regularly over a period of four weeks, it also relives itching and soothes dry skin.

Just what the doctor ordered for my dry lips. 🙂

Related: Is Panthenol The Best Head-To-Toe Moisturiser?

Texture

I admit I’m not a big fan of the texture: it’s quite thick and it does take a while for it to sink into your skin. In the meantime, you can just feel it sitting on top of your lips (don’t lick it off – it doesn’t taste good either).

Fragrance

It’s fragrance-free.

How To Use It

Apply it to your lips as soon as they need the extra burst of moisture. I also like to apply it before bed to help my lips heal faster overnight.

Performance & Personal Opinion

La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres Barrier Repairing Balm has truly been a godsend for me.

Sure, the texture and taste could be better. But it’s performance that counts. And boy, does this deliver!

I know the studies show panthenol has anti-inflammatory properties after a few weeks of regular use, but I could already see some results within a few short days.

A day or two later my lips had considerably softened and the flaking diminished. My lips didn’t feel as uncomfortably tight anymore, either.

Fast forward two more days and my lips were properly healed. I can finally wear lipstick again (priorities, ladies!).

But, seriously, this wasn’t the first lip balm I’ve tried to fix my chapped lips. Yet, it was like I was applying nothing. Every days, those white flakes remained stubbornly there. A few days on this and puff! Gone.

I’m not taking any chances. I’m not going for any more peels anytime soon, but I’ll keep using Cicaplas Levres until the winter’s over. Just in case.

And also because it’s good. This stuff lasts for ages on the lips, so I don’t have to reapply it as often. It’s so liberating not having to reapply your lip balm every couple of hours, I tell you.

Who Is This For?

Anyone with dry/chapped lips.

Who Is This NOT For?

If your lips are in good condition, you may find this too moisturising.

Packaging

A sleek blue and white tube. It’s practical, too.

Does La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres Barrier Repairing Balm Live Up To Its Claims?

Price & Availability

£7.00 at Escentual, Feel Unique, and Look Fantastic

Do You Need It?

Yes! If you have chapped lips, this is a MUST (and I don’t use the word “must” lightly).

Dupes & Alternatives

• Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 ($7.50)
• Lanolips 101 Ointment Superbalm ($16.95)

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.