Does ChapStick actually work…or is it just addictive? Everybody understands the sensational feeling of rejuvenating their lips with their favorite EOS lip balm, but what not everybody understands is that the results of Chapstick products may not even be skin deep.

Asking the big “Is it just addictive?” question has been circulating since 1997, which means it’s high time this question should be answered. But before getting to that, the readers need to understand how lip balm works.

Basically, ChapStick is NOT just moisture resting in a plastic container, it is actually just a wax/petrolatum which acts as a watertight barrier. This watertight barrier helps prevent internal skin moisture from evaporating or escaping your lips. This, in turn, causes your lips to become moisturized and softened.

Everyone has experienced the feeling when they apply Chapstick repeatedly and it no longer seems to be “working”. So whats up with that? Well, this occurs because the bottom layers of your lips produce new skin cells which die before eventually reaching the top layer.

As said before, ChapStick is only wax or petrolatum, which interferes with the signals that prompt lower layers to produce more skin cells. When the lip balm wears off, the skin doesn’t have enough time to replenish the cells.

This causes the need to continuously apply lip balm to keep the lips moist, which is a vicious cycle. The more you use the more you buy. So then what’s the answer, is ChapStick actually addictive?

Well, the answer is no AND yes. While it doesn’t contain chemicals or any substances that are addictive such as nicotine. It is addictive psychologically. This addictive attribute comes from the routine applications which become habit forming. Lip balm does work, but remember, moderation is key.

Here is a helpful tip: if your chapstick just is not doing the deed, a healthy alternative is staying hydrated and drinking lots of water.