There aren't many products on the market that I can't live without or find an equivalent for. However, Lucas Papaw Ointment is one of them. I've been using it for a few years now and have kind of taken it for granted because I've either stocked up on my trips to Australia or I’ve had a ready supply shipped on demand. The perks of knowing lovely people down under! My love for Lucas Papaw Ointment (LPO) has been affirmed recently through experimenting with other balms. Before I became addicted to LPO I was going through my Carmex phase and before that I went through my Eight Hour Cream phase, but both feel a little too strong on the perfume/flavour front these days. Now, I still use other lip balms such as Khiels (more so in my kit) and I like its moisturising properties, but I find it hard to stop reaching for the Lucas.
Now for the science bit; technically it's not a lip balm, it's a general ointment made from fermented papaya, so it can be used for anything from burns to nappy rash. The other day I was out and about and noticed how dry and chapped my hands were. I massaged a small amount into the back of my hands and hey presto, I’d gone from gnarled paws to supple hands in seconds.
In terms of a lip balm, it's not an instant fix for chapped lips compared to the likes of Carmex, which seems to blast the dead skin instantly, in what feels like chemical warfare. But if you apply a good amount before bed, you will have lovely soft lips in the morning and you’ll feel that it has penetrated and moisturised, not just sat on top like Vaseline. At £4.55 for 25g (available from Australia Shop) it’s quite the bargain too!
