You be the judge_ ought to my girlfriend recover from her dependancy to lip balm_

The prosecution: Damilola

Sade is obsessive about lip balm and applies it lots of of occasions a day. I feel it’s dangerous for her

My girlfriend Sade has an unhealthy obsession with lip balms. If she doesn’t have one at hand, she freaks out. She actually can’t sleep till her lips are coated in one thing.

She says her lips get tremendous dry if she doesn’t use balms and butters. However I feel that’s as a result of her physique has bought accustomed to them. I as soon as confirmed her an article about “lazy lips”, which prompt that should you apply lip balm too typically it does extra hurt than good, as a result of your lips turn out to be reliant on the product and lose the power to moisturise themselves. Sade mentioned it was garbage – but when she goes with out lip balm for a day, she complains about dry lips. That’s not regular. Most individuals ought to be capable to go a day with out lip balm. I definitely can.

Sade has about 5 pots of Carmex on the go proper now. One is mouldy

Ten years in the past, after we first bought collectively, she carried a little bit tin of Vaseline in her pocket. She had each flavour: the inexperienced one, the pink one, the cocoa butter one. However in the future she examine how petroleum jelly comes from crude oil, so switched to Carmex. I really useful a beeswax lip balm and have even purchased her some pure ones over time. She makes use of them for a bit however then reverts to Carmex, which is barely annoying as those I purchase are costlier and, I feel, higher.

However whereas her merchandise could change, the obsession stays. She sleeps with lip balm beneath her pillow. She has about 5 pots of Carmex proper now, all effectively previous their greatest. One is black and mouldy across the lid; one other is roofed in sand from a current vacation. They’re all half-finished as a result of she panic buys a brand new one when she will’t discover the others. I remind her that they aren’t low-cost any extra. Lately she paid £5 for a pot of Carmex at a petroleum station, which I discovered a bit outrageous.

Bedtimes are held up if she will’t find her lip balm, and she or he places it on very first thing within the morning after which about one million occasions all through the day. Her behavior is pricey and it’s in all probability not excellent for her, so I’d wish to attempt to wean her off it.

The defence: Sade

I’ve cherished the sensation of balm on my lips since I used to be a baby. It’s dear, however doesn’t do any hurt

I admit that I’m reliant on my lip balms – I can’t actually say why. The obsession began once I was a baby. I developed chapped lips in the future whereas strolling to highschool within the chilly with my mum. She put some Vaseline on my lips and I favored the way it felt, so I saved utilizing it after my lips healed.

I used to like all of the limited-edition Vaselines – I had one in each color and flavour. The cocoa butter one was the most effective. However I switched to Carmex after I learn that it’s higher for you.

The substances in lip balms don’t trigger addictions. I’ve achieved my analysis

Dami moans that I depart half-used tubs of Carmex round our residence, however it’s onerous to complete one. I truly can’t keep in mind ever attending to the underside of 1 – I all the time lose them first. Dami hates that I purchase one other pot earlier than I’ve situated the half-used ones. He additionally jogs my memory that lip balms aren’t low-cost any extra, which he’s proper about. We’re in a price of residing disaster however I just lately paid £5 for a pot of Carmex. It didn’t assist that I discovered two misplaced pots after we bought residence.

I keep in mind once they was once 99p, so I get his frustration – the price of my assortment provides up. However once I want my lips moisturised, I don’t actually care – I’ll use no matter I can get my palms on. At night time I can’t sleep till I’ve utilized some balm.

skip previous publication promotion Signal as much as Inside Saturday Free weekly publication The one method to get a glance behind the scenes of the Saturday journal. Signal as much as get the within story from our prime writers in addition to all of the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox each weekend. Privateness Discover: Newsletters could comprise information about charities, on-line advertisements, and content material funded by exterior events. For extra data see our Newsletters could comprise information about charities, on-line advertisements, and content material funded by exterior events. For extra data see our Privateness Coverage . We use Google reCaptcha to guard our web site and the Google Privateness Coverage and Phrases of Service apply. after publication promotion

The substances in lip balms can’t trigger addictions – I’ve achieved my analysis – however I’m in all probability addicted psychologically. I feel it’s only a innocent behavior. I even have a great deal of lip glosses and tender lipsticks. I simply love having one thing on my lips.

I as soon as examine how a lot petroleum jelly girls ingest from licking balm off their lips. That was a bit worrying – Dami joked that I in all probability have a giant ball of jelly in my abdomen as I’ve been making use of it for many of my life.

I don’t plan on giving up my balms, and I don’t suppose my obsession is that critical. Dami has purchased me some extra pure lip balms over time and I exploit these too, however the Carmex is my favorite. I all the time joke that he’ll need to prise it from my chilly useless palms earlier than I give it up.

The jury of Guardian readers

Ought to Sade cease utilizing a lot lip balm?

Damilola wants to understand that there are far more essential issues to fret about. Let Sade use her lip balm if it helps her get via life – God is aware of, it’s onerous sufficient at the most effective of occasions. Case dismissed: launch the prisoner!

Paddy, 63

I completely perceive the necessity to have lip balm shut by always (I do, too). If she is utilizing her personal cash to purchase it, that’s her alternative. Nonetheless, I do suppose Sade ought to toss out her older pots.

Molly, 28

Whereas I don’t suppose there’s something that improper with a lip balm behavior, albeit one as excessive as this, Dami is clearly wired by it and frightened about Sade. She must be extra receptive to that and at the least attempt to reduce.

Benjamin, 26

Damilola’s concern in regards to the drying chemical substances in some manufacturers is effectively based, and routine scavenger hunts for lip balm are annoying and time-consuming. Sade ought to trial the extra pure manufacturers to attempt to wean herself off – and attempt to retailer them someplace she’ll keep in mind.

Becky, 26

Damilola wants to understand that everybody’s companion does a few issues the opposite finds disgusting. If lip balm is probably the most revolting factor Sade is into, Damilola must be grateful – you’re fortunate she doesn’t have a nose-picking behavior.

Anita, 33

Now you be the decide

In our on-line ballot under, inform us: is it time for Sade to clean issues over with Damilola and lay off the lip balm?

The ballot is now closed

Final week’s end result

We requested if Alex ought to cease farting in entrance of his girlfriend, Astrid.

51% of you mentioned sure: Alex is responsible

49% of you mentioned no: Alex isn’t responsible