Show of hands who keeps a lip balm handy in every coat pocket of every coat they own... Winter is brutal on lips. But not all lip balm is created equal.
A woman is suing EOS after repeated use of their "Summer Fruit lip balm caused her to break out in a rash and blisters."
The popular egg-shaped EOS (aka Evolution of Smooth) endorsed by celebs like Kim Kardashian and Britney Spears apparently caused an adverse reaction in Rachel Cronin, she claims.
According to the class-action lawsuit, Cronin maintains that the balm dried out her lips, causing her to reapply the balm in a vicious circle. Within hours, her lips began to crack and feel like "sandpaper." The next day she had to seek medical care for "severe blistering and rashes."
EOS Lip Balm -- Customers Say, 'We'll Give You Lip, In Court!!!' https://t.co/r0ukW59832
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 14, 2016
She is suing EOS for damages, claiming the company misrepresented its use of natural and organic ingredients.
EOS, however, reassured customers that the suit was without merit, and that its balms are "99 percent natural, organic, and gluten free."
But natural and organic is often a misnomer. Dermatologists point out that such products can cause irritation and even allergic reactions in some users.
"Just because something is natural doesn't mean it is safe. Anthrax is natural but not safe," said Dr. Adam Friedman, associate professor of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
In other words, natural or artificial - there is no guarantee that you won't react to a given product, particularly if you have a history of sensitivity.
Then there's the temptation to lick your lips once you've coated them in a delicious-smelling balm. Licking lips can actually cause dermatitis, and saliva can lead to a bacterial or viral infection.
Dermatologists warn against lip balm addiction. Though certain ingredients - menthol, camphor, and phenol - may initially feel soothing and moisturizing, they actually dry out lips, causing you to reapply.
The cure? Petroleum jelly.
"No one has ever been shown to have a reaction to petroleum jelly," said Dr. Apple Bodemer, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
If you insist on using a lip balm, Dr. Aleksandar Krunic, a dermatologist at Swedish Covenant Hospital suggests avoiding those with the following ingredients - some of which are luxe on skin but irritating on lips:
Stay tuned as the lip balm wars continue...
RELATED: Keeping Lips Smooth in Cold Weather
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