Cold sore sufferers say £10 ‘bedside essential’ stops before breakout

Anyone who suffers from coldsores know that they can be painfully hard to shift. Shoppers on Amazon however, have found an affordable treatment that has been hailed as ‘priceless’ offering a remarkable improvement in cold sore outbreaks.

The LipQ Liquorice Lip Balm is currently reduced to £9.95 on Amazon and is formulated for individuals susceptible to cold sores, alongside those with dry or sensitive lips. The naturally active balm can be applied morning and evening, with the manufacturer suggesting reapplication whenever lips feel parched.

It’s crafted with natural ingredients and is free from parabens, perfume, MI and SLS, rendering it appropriate for sensitive skin, the site states. The balm has also been tested with the Herpes Viruses Association, with the manufacturer noting that 83% of users experienced quicker recovery and that outbreaks were diminished by nearly half.

In the trial, over 73% of participants noted reduced severity and duration of outbreaks, while testers indicated their outbreaks were roughly half their typical length on average. The formula includes glycyrrhizic acid, which the manufacturer claims delivers natural UV protection and may assist in guarding against sun-triggered cold sores.

One woman who says she ‘suffered from cold sores for over 50 years’ claims a £10 balm has made a huge difference to her lips. The budget-friendly treatment has been described as ‘priceless’ by the 67-year-old, who says she has seen a dramatic change in her cold sore breakouts.

For those who frequently suffer from cold sores, the brand suggests using the balm as a preventative daily treatment and combining it with LipQ Liquorice and Melissa Lip Gel, which is designed for application at the initial sign of tingling, reports the Mirror.

An alternative option is the Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lip Balm Beeswax (4.25g) for £4.69 from Holland and Barrett. This product conditions and hydrates lips with beeswax and vitamin E. It also reportedly delivers a refreshing, tingling sensation from a touch of peppermint oil and is free from parabens, phthalates, petrolatum and SLS.

LookFantastic also stocks the Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Lip Balm (7ml) for £15. This is characterised as a nourishing lip balm that hydrates dryness and delivers a glossy finish.

The LipQ Liquorice Lip Balm has garnered an average 4.4 out of five-star rating from nearly 700 reviews on Amazon, though. One customer remarked: “This miracle balm has prevented the dreaded lip herpes when using every night before bed. My bedside essential”

Another added: “I had one starting right in the middle of my top lip, I used some of the lip balm and it never broke out! I can’t believe it to be honest! It really is brilliant! 10/10 from me! I thought it was expensive at £9.99, but for what it does, it is priceless. I’m very pleased with my purchase. Thank you.”

Not every customer was quite so impressed however, with one noting: “It’s ok, didn’t stop the horrendous coleslaw appearing on my lip during a recent holiday, not much flavour, a moisturiser at the most.”

Many buyers said they did find it effective at keeping their lips in good health. Another said: “I suffer from cold sores and my erratic hormones have contributed to more frequent outbreaks. I’ve been looking for a natural aid to help the healing process and came across this product.

“I was about day five in on a particularly painful cold sore when I received the lip balm, it was also a heatwave and my lips also became very dry and cracked. The lip balm is soothing, not thick and sticky and easy to apply.”

“I noticed the morning after I started using it, the cracked skin was more hydrated and feeling less tight. My cold sore wasn’t as painful either and, by day three, my lips were practically back to normal. It definitely knocked off a couple days of healing time, so I’m very impressed. I will continue to use it daily.”

The LipQ Liquorice Lip Balm is currently reduced to £9.95 on Amazon.