YOUR LIPS ARE CHAPPED!

Learn how to protect your lips with the right chapstick.

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Bryanie Daza, Staff Writer

Cancer can affect any part of the body, but not many people are aware that cancer can also affect the lips. Lip cancer can appear anywhere on the upper or lower skin of the lips. Although lip cancer is rare, it occurs most often on the lower lip. The skin on our lips is very thin, making it more prone to sun damage, cold, heat and wind. Our lips contain a profuse amount of a protein called collagen. Exposure from the sun drains the collagen in the lips, making the skin thinner. The symptoms of lip cancer include a sore, lesion, blister, ulcer, or lump on the mouth that will not go away, a red or white patch on the lips, bleeding or pain on the lips and swelling of the jaw. If you notice these symptoms, speak to your doctor about them. To prevent lip cancer from occuring, it is recommended to wear chapstick with at least a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. For the best protection use a SPF of 30.
Lip products containing SPF are specifically made to not only protect the skin on your lips from sun damage, but also moisturize and repair the skin on your lips. Not all lip products contain sunscreen to protect your lips, in fact some lip products put your lips at risk. The shiny gloss of some lip products attract sunlight and UV radiation, causing the skin on your lips to be more susceptible to sun damage.
One of the best chapsticks to protect your lips is Nivea, which is recommended by a junior, Sai Shrestha, who said “It works really well and makes your lips feel soft.”

 

Best Chapsticks Containing SPF

Aquaphor Lip Repair & Protect: SPF 30; broad spectrum, provides both UVA and UVB protection. It is made with shea butter, castor seed oil and vitamin E. Contains fragrance, dye and is paraben free.
Alba Botanica Lip Care: SPF 25; it is hypoallergenic and is made with 100 percent vegetarian ingredients, with no animal testing.
Carmex Cherry Lip Balm: SPF 15; it relieves dry, chapped lips with cocoa butter and is made with petrolatum for long-lasting hydration.
ChapStick Sun Defense: SPF 25; it is made with aloe and vitamin E. It locks in moisture for soft, hydrated and healthy lips.
Coola Liplux Sport: SPF 30; it is broad spectrum with both UVA and UVB protection. It is formulated with more than 70 percent certified organic ingredients and is made with moisturizing raspberry and avocado fruit butters, it also contains vitamins and antioxidants.
Nivea A Kiss of Recovery Medicated Lip Care: SPF 15; it is broad spectrum with UVA and UVB protection. Protects and repairs lips, it is made with omega oils and shea butter.
Yes to Pomegranate Naturally Smooth Lip Balm: SPF 15; it is broad spectrum, provides UVA and UVB protection. Made with aloe, cocoa and shea butter, it is 99 percent natural with paraben, petroleum and it is cruelty-free.