Skin Care

Dr. Leela Athalye on the Importance of Lip Care

If you're on the hunt for the best lip balm for dry, cracked lips, Blume’s Superbalm might have caught your eye. With claims of deep hydration, collagen-boosting properties, and natural butters, this balm is getting a lot of attention in the skincare world. To give you expert insight, we sat down with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Leela Athalye to discuss how Superbalm Tripeptide Lip Squeeze stacks up and what you should know about its key lip care ingredients.

Collagen-Boosting Lip Care

Superbalm contains tripeptide-1, a peptide that’s said to boost collagen production—a key factor in keeping lips smooth and youthful. But how well do peptides like this really work on lips?

“Peptides are excellent moisturizing ingredients and can be effective in improving lip texture and hydrating to decrease the cosmetic appearance of fine lines,” says Dr. Athalye. While peptides may not work miracles, they can certainly contribute to smoother, hydrated lips.

Moisture Retention for Long-Lasting Hydration

The balm features a blend of squalane, shea butter, and sodium hyaluronate to lock in moisture and protect your lips. How do these powerful ingredients work together to provide long-lasting lip hydration?

“These ingredients all individually help with hydration, but together they work even better,” Dr. Athalye explains. “Hyaluronic acid is amazing for absorbing water content to keep the skin hydrated and plump. Squalane prevents moisture loss, and shea butter has been shown in studies to treat dry, cracked lips. Together, they work well both during the day and night to prevent moisture loss.”

So, whether you’re applying it first thing in the morning or slathering it on before bed, these ingredients ensure your lips stay nourished and soft.

Can Sensitive Skin Handle Rich Natural Butters?

Blume’s balm includes mango seed butter and murumuru seed butter, both known for their deep hydration properties. But are these rich butters suitable for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies?

“These butters offer protection for even sensitive patients,” says Dr. Athalye. “However, if you have a history of being allergic to these ingredients, I would avoid them. In general, it’s a good idea to try a small test spot before committing to any new product.”

Temporary or Long-Term Benefits?

One of Superbalm’s key selling points is its plumping effect, thanks to sodium hyaluronate. But is this effect only temporary, or can it provide long-term lip health benefits?

“Hyaluronic acid provides a temporary plumping effect because it can bind up to 1,000 times its volume in water,” Dr. Athalye notes. “But even with long-term use, it can improve overall lip hydration and appearance.”

So, while you’ll see immediate plumping results, continued use of this balm can help maintain your lips' moisture and suppleness.

Will Rich Butters Cause Breakouts Around the Lips?

With rich natural butters like shea, mango seed, and murumuru, some may worry about clogged pores or breakouts near the mouth. Can these ingredients be too heavy for some skin types?

“These ingredients have been studied on lips and shown to be effective,” Dr. Athalye reassures. “Clogging pores and breakouts can happen with potentially any product, but since these ingredients are widely used in lip care products, they are usually well tolerated.”

If you’re prone to breakouts around the mouth, consider patch-testing before using Superbalm regularly.

Squalane for Chronic Chapped Lips

Finally, we asked Dr. Athalye about squalane, a favourite skincare ingredient you can find in Superbalm, and how it performs on chronically chapped lips.

“I really like squalane for both the face and lips. Lips tend to be more vascular, so products often work faster on the lips. It’s a good adjunct for those who suffer from chronic lip dryness,” she explains.

For anyone struggling with persistently dry lips, squalane in Superbalm might be the extra hydration boost your routine needs.

Is Superbalm Right for You?

Blume’s Superbalm combines a thoughtful mix of hydrating ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and natural butters that work to protect and hydrate your lips. Whether you're dealing with dry, cracked lips or simply want a plump, youthful look, Superbalm offers both immediate and long-term benefits.

As Dr. Athalye recommends, always patch-test a new product if you have sensitive skin or allergies. But for those in need of intense hydration with a lightweight feel, Superbalm is a great option to keep your lips soft, smooth, and healthy.