I am an addict.  There, I said it.  Now I am ready to face this harsh truth and deal with it.

My addiction is not to drugs, alcohol, or gambling.  But it is an addiction many of you may share but not realize.  I have become addicted to and am entirely dependent on my ChapStick.

I confess to over-using my ChapStick – constantly applying it and then reapplying, striving for smooth and soft lips, especially in the summer heat.

The truth is that this repetition of ChapStick application does not cure dry lips, but is actually detrimental to this very goal of soft lips.  ChapStick contains concentrated moisture particles – moisture that your lips need naturally.  Your body produces the moisture necessary for your lips to remain hydrated dependent on the amount of water consumed.  If the body is well hydrated and intakes the recommended amount of water – approximately eight glasses per day – , the lips should receive the amount of moisture needed.

However the repeated appliance of ChapStick actually tricks your body into thinking that your lips have enough moisture.  Once your lips are heavily coated in this concentrated moisture, the body finds no biological need to produce moisture, for it would be in excess. The body then stops producing moisture for the lips entirely, and as time passes and the ChapStick wears off, you are left with dry lips.

Personally I love my ChapStick or any variation of it: the Original ChapStick, Burt’s Bees, Vaseline, Carmex, Blistex.  But every time I over-apply them, I find that my lips become dry, so naturally I apply more ChapStick.  And the vicious cycle ensues.  I apply too much ChapStick, my lips get dry from my ChapStick, and I apply more to “hydrate” them.  I’m serious – it’s an addiction.

Of course ChapStick is a necessity when weather conditions are harsh, such as sun exposure and harsh winds.  ChapStick can protect the lips from the elements because of the extreme concentration of the moisture particles in it.

The best solution for me in this situation is to slowly wean myself off of ChapStick, by using it sparingly and staying hydrated.  If there is no intervention, my ChapStick-dependence, will continue.