Allergic to Lip Products?

[Karoru]

I am 18 years old, and I have never been allergic to anything in my life. As part of my nightly routine, I've always put on lip balm before bed. However, late last year, my lips started to get more dry and chapped than usual, even itchy. They felt like sand paper and often developed tiny bumps. If rubbed hard enough, the bumps would produce a clear liquid. The edges of my lips also sometimes felt very raw and red. These symptoms would last around a week.
At the time, I had been using just plain Burt's Bees Lip Balm for many weeks. When I got the symptoms, I used a bit more of the balm than I usually did, thinking it would help the dryness. When nothing seemed to be working, I stopped using it altogether. In time, my lips healed, and I switched to Softlips lipbalm in both vanilla and peppermint flavors. I showed no reaction from their usage for about a month. Then, I started getting the same reaction that I got from the Burt's Bees Lip Balm. That was when I figured I was developing an allergy to lip balm. Over time, I also realized I was getting the same reaction even faster from lipstick and lipgloss. That meant I was allergic to all lip products across the board.
I began researching into the symptoms and the ingredients in lip products, especially ones that commonly produced allergic reactions. With that knowledge in mind, I've tried many other balms these past months, including ones by Blistex and Kiss my Face. I'm even allergic to plain Chapstick. At first, I would not show any symptoms at all, but they would eventually show up within a few weeks, sometimes days. I even tried alternating the balms every night, which helped slightly but I would eventually get the reaction again. Nowadays, I only wear lip balm every few nights because I can't stand having chapped lips, but never multiple nights in a row. Even then, there's always a chance of my reacting to it.
I haven't been able to pinpoint the exact ingredient that I'm allergic to, and I'm hesitant to spend any more money to try more products. I haven't changed anything about my diet, makeup, facewash, mouthwash, or toothpaste, so I am very certain that it's the lip products. After my research I've also found that other people have had the same problem.

Has any product been found that works but doesn't trigger a reaction from people with my allergies?

I've heard that Vaseline is possibly the only solution, but because of my research I've been staying away from products with petroleum and petrolatum in them. Should I try it out anyway?

[Tulip_1]

Did you find any colored lip product or lipstick without beeswax please?

[phyohtet14]

Since 2012, I've had the same problem: small blisters, cracked corners, peeling..etc. from using any type of packaged lip product. I avoid using lip products. If I accidentally put my face moisturizer near my lips, they started to dry up and crack like the allergy symptoms. The only thing I use on my lips are Vaseline and oils like coconut, grapeseed and such. They are the only things that don't cause any reaction. My lips have restored its health now. I wonder why there is not much research for this allergic reaction. If you really want to put some color to your lips, you can DIY your tinted lip balm using Vaseline and some colored powder from blush. Heat the petroleum jelly and add the scraped powder in a small pot. You can mix the color and saturation to your liking. Let it cool down and there you have your own tinted lip balm. Nonetheless, your natural lips are already beautiful, why torture it with artificial colors and ingredients? x.

[inthesonlite]

I have similar problems with my lips, especially in the winter. After much research on the internet, I found out that the culprit ingredient is Carmine. It causes blistering and acute chapping, that takes weeks to get over. It's a red/pink dye from bug-yes, to be exact, beetle shells. It's in so many things, not just cosmetics, food too. I have to read labels. Many labels say "may contain carmine"....then I skip it. Also, manufactures can boast that their product is "all natural", because technically it is, beetles are natural...yuck!!

[bartyboo]

I will spend some time reading through all the comments on this site when I have a moment because I have found that at nearly 50, as I start some researching, that  I seem to have a developed an allergic reaction to colourstay lipsticks (so far).  I have been able to wear anything on my lips forever and although I am a fairly sensitive skinned person, most things were OK and I am just very careful in the sun. I changed brand with no luck, and am avoiding wearing lipstick totally at the moment.  Put it on last night, just to go to a party, slight swelling, redness and tenderness today so it's not looking great.

Great to find somewhere to sit and read other people's advice and stories.,  Thanks everyone.


bartyboo

[eaurbanski]

What do you do for when you are in the sun?

[Winston87]

I've been having the same issues since I was a young teenager (am 30 now), but within the past year, the issues just seem to be getting worse. Lately, I've had to take Zyrtec everyday because the reaction has been so bad. I started vaping last year after quitting smoking and thought that possibly the PG in the liquid was the causing factor. However, I stayed off of the vape for a week and my lips did not clear up. Vaseline works if all else fails, but I find that the best thing to do is not use anything, if at all possible, but moisturize your face twice a day with an eczema lotion (I use Aveeno) and then only use the Vaseline if absolutely necessary. I also like to use a little organic coconut oil at night if they are extra dry. Also, look at your toothpaste and/or mouthwash as well. I find that the super minty ones irritate my mouth really bad. I've been using children's toothpaste and mouthwash in a non-mint flavor (make sure it has flouride though) and that seems to be helping some as well. Hope this helps!