Do our lips absorb Vaseline or balm?

[Maria3667]

Question for anyone who uses lip balm, vaseline or any other lip ointment: what the heck happens to all the grease we put on? It can't evaporate because our body temperature is too low. I go through about a ton of vaseline a year. This must be the reason I pack on the pounds... If it can't evaporate then the only other logical explanation is we absorb it! ?

Your thoughts please??

[Carolina]

No, our bodies do not absorb Vaseline.

https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-the-skin-take-to-absorb-lotion-like-Vaseline

Regards, Elaine

[Maria3667]

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for the link!

Although the thought is entertaining she doesn't explain why it's not absorbed. Yes, I'm aware Vaseline creates a 'barrier effect', unfortunately it disappears so quickly! Could it be due to our body temperature??? My lips are parched again (look and feel) after just a few short moments. What happens to the grease? Vanish into thin air?

Try leaving Vaseline on a non-organic surface, it would still be there after hours/days.

Coincidentally I found a thread dedicated to the same question on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/2lgz13/if_mineral_oil_vaseline_are_not_absorbed_by_your/

I'm guessing there has to be some sort of (unexplained) interaction with the body. The search continues.

[Linda196]

Just because our bodies don't absorb it, doesn't mean we might not ingest it when it's applied to the lips. Unfortunately that would only explain where it goes, not any weight gain since it would pass through the digestive tract unaltered and wouldn't add an caloric intake. (good try though LOL) As far as application to any other parts, friction would rub it away eventually.