Lip Balm vs Vaseline: Difference and Comparison

Key Takeaways

1. Lip balm is a cosmetic product that moisturizes and protects lips, containing ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and oils.
2. Vaseline is a brand of petroleum jelly, a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons, which acts as an effective moisturizer and barrier for various skin applications.
3. Lip balms are formulated with additional ingredients for better lip care, while Vaseline is a more general-purpose moisturizer.

What is Lip Balm?

Lip balm is a wax-like substance. Some people also know it by the name lip salve. Its sole purpose is to treat chapped lips by providing the required moisturizer.

The ingredient of a lip balm is primarily beeswax. Sometimes carnauba wax can also be the main ingredient. It also predominantly carries cetyl alcohol, paraffin, and petrolatum, among other components. Some have added flavors, colours, and sunscreen.

The earliest use of lip balm can be seen since 40 BC in Egypt. They created a  lip care product mainly using beeswax, olive oil, and animal fat.

Not only does it treat chapped lips, but regular use can also improve lip balm’s overall health. The design of a lip balm is precisely like lipstick. So this makes it a lot more hygienic as you do not touch the balm directly.

What is Vaseline?

Essentially vaseline is nothing but petroleum jelly. During the 1880s, Americans found out vaseline has medicinal benefits. Since then, it has been used as a treatment for chapped skin.

It is an excellent moisturizer locker.

Vaseline can be called an elementary example of a skincare product. Traditionally it is colourless and odorless. However, modern times have infused Vaseline with colour, taste, and smell.

Vaseline is not meant for one particular body part. It can be used anywhere to treat the dryness of winter. Not only moisturizing, but Vaseline can be used as a make-up remover and scrubber, and one can use it to hydrate dry nails.

But Vaseline also comes with a few ill effects, such as irritation on the skin and redness, and it can even clog pores. In rare cases, infection also may occur. In humans, vaseline can also be used to treat dogs’ pad skin cracks. However, do this when dogs are asleep so they can not lick the jelly out of their paws.

Difference Between Lip Balm and Vaseline

1. Lip balms are created with the sole purpose of moisturizing and recovering dry and chapped lips. On the other side, vaseline is petroleum jelly blended with scent to omit the odor.
2. One can use lip balms only on lips, but we can use Vaseline on any body part.
3. Nowadays, lip balm contains SPF to protect lips from UV rays. On the contrary, vaseline is not infused with SPF formulas.
4. Lip balms have flavor, and they are numerous. It also comes in different colours and fragrances. But Vaseline is the complete opposite. It is tasteless as well as colourless.
5. The use of lip balm is restricted to treating chapped lips. At the same time, vaseline can be used as a moisturizer, make-up remover, nail hydrator, and many other things.

Comparison Between Lip Balm and Vaseline

Parameter of Comparison	Lip Balm	Vaseline
Description	Lip balms are created with several ingredients for moisturizing effects on dry and chapped lips.	Essentially vaseline is petroleum jelly with a pinch of scent for the smell.
Place of use	Lip balms are only meant for lips.	People can use Vaseline on any body part to moisten them.
Flavour	Lips balms can be made in any flavour with the added ingredient.	Traditionally vaseline is tasteless.
Odour	Lip balm carries fragrances. They are infused with a different aroma.	Fundamentally vaseline does not contain any odour.
Colour	Colours get infused in lip balm.	Vaseline does not have any colour.
Application	We can use lip balm can only to heal chapped lips.	Apart from moisturizing, it can also be used as a make-up remover, nail hydrator, and much more.

References

1. http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4295
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002197972031033X