Lip gloss and Lip Balm are used to care for and beautify lips. There are times when one can be used in place of the other, and it is very easy to mistake them for each other. But there are apparent differences between the two.
Chart Summary
| LIP BALM | LIP GLOSS |
| Colors are thick, bright and light-colored |
| It is generally applied only for cosmetic reasons |
Getty images/Moment/ Olena Ruban
Definition
Lip gloss is a dense, typically colored cosmetic product that adds shine and color to the lips.
Lip balm, also known as a lip salve, is a waxy material applied topically to the lips to nourish and treat chapped or dry lips and cold sores. Among other things, lip balm frequently contains beeswax or carnauba wax.
Lip Balm vs. Lip Gloss
Lip glosses and lip balms both hydrate your lips to some degree. Lip balms, on the other hand, perform better in this regard than lip glosses because they are designed to keep your lips healthy, moist, and crack-free. A lip gloss can also function as a lip balm, but because it is usually applied after lipstick, it does not give the same level of lip care as a lip balm.
Lip balm hydrates your lips for a long time, but lip gloss only makes them seem moist and wet. Lip gloss is typically used to give a striking contrast to cosmetics by choosing either dark or bright colors.
Lip glosses often come in various colors, although lip balms typically come in more muted and subdued hues. This is because lip gloss is applied after lipstick, but lip balm is frequently used before lipstick. As a result, it must be light-colored, or it will clash with the color of your lipstick.
A lip balm can contain potent compounds such as essential oils, protecting your skin from sun, wind, and other environmental causes. On the other hand, a lip gloss may contain a sparkling substance and color that enhances your lips’ overall attractiveness and look.