My lips are a nightmare. Always have been. They chap, they crack, they peel—sometimes they even bleed. Winter’s the worst, but summer’s no picnic either with all the sun and wind.
I’ve tried every balm, gloss, and ointment out there. Vaseline, Aquaphor, fancy $30 lip masks—none of ‘em fixed the problem for long. Then I heard about Homeoplasmine, this French pharmacy pommade that’s supposed to soothe irritated skin like magic. It’s got natural stuff like marigold and a cult following. I was skeptical, but my lips were screaming for help. So I grabbed a tube.
Here’s what went down after a month of using it.
Table of Contents
What It’s About
Homeoplasmine’s a thick, homeopathic ointment from Boiron, a French brand known for natural remedies. It’s made to calm skin irritations—think chapped lips, dry patches, redness, or minor scrapes. Not for infected or oozy wounds, though.
It’s over-the-counter in France, where it’s a staple in every pharmacy, and you can snag it online here. The tube’s 40 grams, bigger than most lip balms, and it’s just a plain white tube with a screw cap. Nothing fancy.
The vibe’s simple: protect and soothe. It’s got natural ingredients like garden marigold and benzoin, plus a bit of boric acid for preservation. You apply a thin layer one to three times a day on irritated spots. It’s approved by French health folks, so it’s legit, but there’s warnings about not using it long-term or on big areas because of the boric acid. Also, no kids under 30 months, and don’t use it if you’re allergic to stuff like arnica.
I got it mainly for my lips, but I figured it’d work for dry elbows or random red patches, too. My skin’s sensitive and dry, so I hoped it wouldn’t burn or make things worse. It sounded like a beefed-up Vaseline, but the hype had me curious.
The Ingredients
Homeoplasmine’s got a short ingredient list, which I like. Here’s what’s in it, plain and simple:
- Garden marigold tincture (0.1 g): Soothes inflammation and helps skin heal. It’s a plant thing, good for irritated spots.
- Phytolacca tincture (0.3 g): Another plant extract, used in homeopathy to calm swelling or soreness.
- Bryonia tincture (0.1 g): From a root, supposed to ease inflammation. Not sure how much it does, but it’s in there.
- Laotian benzoin tincture (0.1 g): A resin that protects skin and has a slight antiseptic vibe.
- Boric acid (4.0 g): A preservative that keeps the formula stable. It’s why you can’t slather this on forever.
- Vaseline: The base, makes it thick and occlusive to lock in moisture.
That’s it, plus some excipients to hold it together. No fragrance, no weird chemicals. The marigold and benzoin give it a natural edge over plain petroleum jelly, but the Vaseline base is what makes it feel familiar. I was a bit iffy about the boric acid—sounds harsh—but it’s a low dose, and I wasn’t planning to use it all over my body.
My sensitive skin’s picky, so I crossed my fingers it wouldn’t sting.
My Routine
Using Homeoplasmine’s easy, but I learned some tricks. The instructions say to apply a thin layer to irritated skin one to three times a day. External use only, obviously. I focused on my lips, but I also tested it on dry patches around my nose and a rough spot on my elbow.
For my lips, I started at night. I’d wash my face with a gentle cleanser, pat dry, and dab a tiny bit of Homeoplasmine on—think half a pea size. A little goes a long way. I’d rub it between my fingers first to warm it up, then press it onto my lips. No smearing it around like gloss; just pat and let it sink in. It’s thick like Vaseline but less greasy.
In the morning, I’d rinse my face and use a regular balm with SPF for daytime.
I used it twice a day—night and morning—for the first week, then dropped to nightly because my lips were doing better. For my nose and elbow, I’d apply a thin layer after showering, when my skin was damp, to lock in moisture.
One thing: keep the tube clean. The ointment can crust up at the tip, so I’d wipe it with a tissue after each use.
I avoided getting it near my lip line after noticing a tiny pimple when I was sloppy with application. Lesson learned—stick to the center of your lips. Also, don’t use it with other heavy creams; it’s occlusive, so it’ll block anything else.
My routine stayed basic: cleanser, Homeoplasmine, and a light moisturizer if needed.
Results and Feels
So, did it save my lips? Pretty much. I’ve been using Homeoplasmine for five weeks, and my skin’s happier than it’s been in ages. My lips were cracked and peeling when I started—bad enough that lipstick was a no-go. After three days, the peeling stopped.
By the end of week one, my lips were soft. Like, actually smooth, not just coated in balm.
Now, five weeks in, they’re in great shape. No cracks, no flakes, just hydrated. I can wear lip stain again without it looking gross.
The magic’s in how it absorbs. Unlike Vaseline, which sits there, Homeoplasmine sinks in. A few minutes after applying, my lips didn’t feel slippery, but they stayed moisturized for hours. Even after drinking coffee or licking my lips (bad habit), they didn’t dry out. It’s like it builds a barrier that actually works. I’ve barely needed to reapply during the day, which is wild for me.
For other spots, it’s solid but less dramatic. The dry patch around my nose—thanks, allergies—is gone unless I skip moisturizer. My elbow’s softer, but it took a couple weeks to notice. I tried it on a red, irritated spot on my cheek once, and it calmed it down overnight. Didn’t sting, which was a relief for my sensitive skin.
It’s not perfect. If you use too much, it feels heavy and can clog pores near your lips. I got a small zit once from being careless. Also, it’s not a cure for serious stuff like eczema or infected cuts—don’t expect miracles. And the boric acid warning makes me cautious about using it daily forever. I’ll probably take breaks.
Here’s what I love:
- Lips are saved: No more peeling or cracks, stays hydrated for hours.
- Absorbs well: Not as greasy as Vaseline, feels lighter.
- Versatile: Works for lips, nose, elbows, minor redness.
- No smell: Perfect for my sensitive nose.
And what’s not great:
- Can clog pores: Be precise with application.
- Boric acid: Makes me wary of long-term use.
- Tube crusts: Gotta clean the tip or it’s annoying.
- Not for kids: Limits family use.
I’m hooked, though. My lips haven’t been this good in years, and it’s nice having one product for multiple dry spots. It’s not fancy, but it delivers.
FAQ
How fast does it work?
Lips feel better in a day or two, fully soft in a week. Dry patches take longer, like 1–2 weeks.
Does it irritate?
Not for me, but if you’re allergic to marigold or arnica, skip it. Test a small spot first.
Can I use it on my face?
Yep, for dry or red patches, but avoid acne-prone areas. Too occlusive for all-over use.
Is it safe for kids?
Not under 30 months, per the label. Ask a doc for older kids.
Final Thoughts
Homeoplasmine’s a game-changer for my chapped lips and dry skin. It’s not just Vaseline 2.0—it absorbs better, lasts longer, and soothes like nothing else I’ve tried.
My lips are finally smooth, and I can deal with random dry patches without a million products.
It’s not for infected skin or long-term daily use, and you gotta be careful with application, but for $15, it’s a steal.
If your lips or skin are screaming for relief, get this. It’s simple, it works, and I’m never going back to flaky lips.
