CNP Laboratory - TasTheStuff review for Original

November 21, 2024 Update I first tried this product back in August 2024, so I've had ample time to test it. Whether it's the seasonal weather changes or just having more experience with it, my opinion on this has shifted. This is purely based on my personal experience—if it works wonders for you, don’t let my perspective change how you feel about it. It’s still a good lip balm, but after more testing, I wouldn’t rank it in my top three lip balms or treatments. I’m adjusting my rating from 5/5 to 3/5, and here’s why: 🩸 Chapped lips and product reliance: When the weather changes, I typically rely on a favorite brand I’ve used for three years. With that product, I’ve never experienced chapped lips or needed to reapply in the same day. In fact, one application often lasts for a week because it truly heals my lips. I paused using that to try this balm exclusively, and my lips became severely chapped within days. By day three, my lips were so dry they started bleeding. It seems like there’s something in the formula that creates a dependency on the balm—without it, my lips became excessively dry. 🩸 Severe dehydration despite adjustments: I initially thought I might be overusing the balm, so I spaced out applications to every three days and used smaller amounts. Unfortunately, the same results occurred. My lips were the driest they’d ever been, to the point where my sister noticed and asked, “What happened to your lips? Moisturize them.” When I told her I’d switched balms, she said, “Go back to your old one because your lips are looking crusty.” Word for word. 🩸 Lack of lasting benefits: I regret not taking pictures to document how bad my lips got, but the experience was unpleasant. The balm seemed fine on day one, but my lips progressively worsened after that. I finally discontinued it and went back to my OG (Summer Fridays, by the way). My lips are healing now—no more bleeding, cracks, or crustiness, and no reliance on constant reapplication. Overall, I’d say this balm is okay for occasional use—maybe once a week—but it seems to make lips reliant on the product. I dislike products that create dependency because if I decide to stop using them, I don’t want to deal with adverse effects. For context, this feedback is specific to the original flavor. Interestingly, I also tried the mojito flavor, which wasn’t nearly as problematic. If you’re considering this balm, proceed with caution, especially with the original flavor. —————————————————————— October 2, 2024 Update It’s been about a little over a month of me using this and honestly, it’s great. It is designed to be used as a lip care product, and as long as you use it for that, it will serve you well. I can never turn down a good lip product, and the Lipcerin by CNP Laboratory is no exception. These are a must-have for the cold season and far from your average lip balms. I’ve already mentioned loving this product before, and finding out it comes in assorted flavors only adds to my excitement. Here’s why I like these: 💋 These are thicker than your typical lip balms—very hydrating but not overly so to the point where your lips feel overwhelmed. I’ve experienced that issue before, but these strike a great balance, comparable to another brand that’s my top favorite. 💋 These easily rank in my top 3. I’ll definitely be using them a lot during the colder months. 💋 While the flavors vary, the function remains quite similar across the different versions. I’ve tried both the Original and Mojito. The main difference lies in the scent. It’s noted that the Mojito version is meant to calm and soothe dry lips, but honestly, the Original does that too. I think it’s more about picking the scent that suits your preference. 💋 Scents: * Original: Reminiscent of manuka honey. It smells sweet and a bit syrupy, but in a good way. Don’t mistake it for being sticky—it feels emollient and balmy. * Mojito: This has a refreshing citrus scent, and I LOVE it. I’ve always leaned toward citrus scents, so this is perfect for me. 💋 I will say, these aren’t your everyday lip balms. They’re quite thick, making them ideal as a nighttime lip mask or for focused lip care. They don’t pair well with makeup, so if you're looking to hydrate your lips before applying makeup, this isn’t the product for that. Overall, this occlusive moisture lip balm is excellent for dedicated lip care. As long as you’re using it as intended, you’ll love what it has to offer. I’d rate these a solid 5/5. —————————————————————— ORIGINAL REVIEW - 08/22/2024 CNP Propolis Lipcerin in ORIGINAL I don’t see propolis used as a skincare ingredient often—it’s a miracle component that doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves. While honey is the only food on earth that doesn’t expire and has unmatched healing properties, propolis is a natural substance made from tree sap that bees use to protect and seal their hives. It’s renowned for its antibacterial and healing benefits. Here are some reasons why I’ll reach for this often: 🍯 Not sticky: Despite the manuka honey component, it feels smooth rather than tacky. It’s subtly addictive, so you might accidentally over-apply it. I recommend against doing so. 🍯 Pleasant scent: It has a slight manuka honey fragrance that I enjoy, not the sickly sweet type. It’s very similar to the manuka honey I use for wound healing in a hospital setting—nature sometimes offers the best treatments. 🍯 Long-lasting: This doesn’t need frequent application. It helps protect my lips, which tend to get drier with weather changes. 🍯 Beneficial ingredients: - Propolis extract (healing) - Beta-glucan (humectant) - Madecassoside (antioxidant, soothing) - Glycerin (moisturizer, skin-identical ingredient) - Squalane (emollient) - Shea butter (emollient) Overall, I give this a 5/5. It performs just as well as my favorite lip butter (Summer Fridays) and is priced better.