A common question: Can you get addicted to lip balm?
According to the dermatologists we spoke with: Not really. If you find yourself reaching for lip balm constantly, it’s probably out of habit. Is it a true addiction? Not in the sense that there's a chemical dependency on it.
A board-certified dermatologist compared overuse of lip balm to other common behaviors: "Some people scratch the back of their head. Some people pick at their nails." But again, there's no evidence that lip balm is chemically addictive or causes withdrawal symptoms if you stop.
If your balm isn’t working, or if it’s irritating you, try switching formulas.
Although there’s no single ingredient that always causes irritation, try avoiding lip balm that has menthol & camphor. Any kind of added flavor or fragrance has the potential to irritate some people.
If that’s you, we recommend the Glossier Balm Dotcom in Original; or, for SPF protection, try the Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment, which panelists have loved in previous iterations of this guide, though it smelled less than ideal to testers this time around nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…
You can also try exfoliating your lips; just be gentle & don’t do it too often, as lips are particularly sensitive. (Some dermatologists advise against lip exfoliation entirely.)
You can buy/make a lip scrub or use a soft toothbrush—just not the same one you use on your teeth
TL;DR:
No, lip balm addiction is not a real thing, but your lips can react poorly to some ingredients. Our recs: nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…
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2/ Senior Editor Caitlin McGarry explains that with the Apple event coming up on Sept. 12, “You should absolutely wait to buy a new phone—even if your current phone is on its last leg and you don’t care about having a cutting-edge device.”
3/ But what if your iPhone needs replacing *at this very moment*?
1/ We’ve found the best alternatives for carrying a clunky bag on your daily walk 🧵
2/ A running belt can stay put against your midsection and carry all your must-haves, like your ID, phone, keys, and more: https://t.co/4XNK2QYTTkwrctr.co/43NYMwF
3/ While bigger than a running belt, a fanny pack can fit all your essentials without weighing you down. Our favorite for walks through the park is the Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack. nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…
Apple announced four new iPhones, three new Apple Watches, and new AirPods at today’s #AppleEvent 👀
Here’s a high-level overview of what to look forward to 🧵
To kick things off, Apple introduced three new versions of the Apple Watch: The Series 8, SE, and the brand new Ultra.
Some of the Series 8’s most notable new features include vehicle crash detection capabilities, a new low power mode to help extend its battery life, and ovulation tracking through temperature sensing.
1/ There’s just nothing like picking up a good book and reading it undisturbed for hours on end 😌🧵
2/ Do you prefer reading a physical book or using an ebook reader (like a Kindle)? ⬇️
3/ We tested every competitive ebook reader available in the US, and we can say that the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids is the right choice for almost everyone (yes, even for adults).
That means it's time to plan your next trip to a national park. Here’s a list of our favorite gear for on-the-go handwashing, cleaning up, eating alfresco, and more 👇🏼 nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…
Prepping for the car ride there is just as important. Whether you’re traveling down the road or all the way to Yellowstone, you’ll need essentials for the ride there. nytimes.com/wirecutter/lis…nytimes.com/wirecutter/lis…
1/ Few things in life are as important as good sleep, and being tired all the time can impact things like your mood and eating habits.
When you’re tired, everything feels awful—we’re here to help with Sleep Week. Now until Feb. 21, we’re diving deep into all things sleep. 🧵👇🏼
2/ Yesterday we kicked off our Sleep Better Challenge— you can still sign up by texting Zzz to 917-810-3301. 📲
And later this week we’ll be sharing more about gear that’ll help you snooze better, and tips on how to build helpful habits for optimal rest.
3/ In the meantime, these are some things that help our Wirecutter staff fall (and stay) asleep. From blankets to diffusers, there’s something for everyone. 💤 nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…