LipQ: Naturally Active Lip Care for Cold Sore-Prone Lips
LipQ is our naturally active lip care range for cold sore-prone, dry and sensitive lips. Built around liquorice and nourishing plant oils, it soothes, softens and protects the lips as gentle, everyday care. Naturally derived, vegetarian and made in Britain.
Shop the LipQ range
What is LipQ?
LipQ is a British lip care range developed for cold sore-prone, dry and sensitive lips. It takes a gentle, everyday approach, nourishing and protecting the lips with naturally derived ingredients rather than harsh actives, so it can be used consistently, including between outbreaks.
The range has two products that work together: the LipQ Liquorice Balm, a daily balm to soothe and protect cold sore-prone lips, and the LipQ Liquorice & Melissa Lip Gel, a light, fast-absorbing gel to reach for at the first tingle. Both are built around liquorice root extract, a natural source of glycyrrhizic acid, the compound studied in relation to cold sores, with the Gel adding Melissa (lemon balm) and calming botanicals. The LipQ Liquorice Balm has been trialled with the Herpes Viruses Association. LipQ is vegetarian and made in Britain.
LipQ benefits
Vegetarian and cruelty-free. Free from parabens, added perfume, SLS and MI, and made for cold sore-prone, dry and sensitive lips.
Designed as everyday protective care for cold sore-prone lips, to keep them soft, nourished and protected, used every day rather than only during an outbreak.
Built around liquorice root extract, a natural source of glycyrrhizic acid, the compound studied in relation to cold sores.
Nourishing plant oils and protective waxes soothe, soften and hydrate dry, chapped and sensitive lips.
The LipQ Liquorice Balm was tested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study carried out with the Herpes Viruses Association.
A daily Liquorice Balm to protect cold sore-prone lips, and a Liquorice & Melissa Lip Gel to reach for at the first tingle.
A smooth balm with a gentle, natural liquorice scent from aniseed oil, and a light, fast-absorbing gel, both gentle enough for daily use.
Not only for cold sore-prone lips. LipQ Liquorice Balm is a nourishing daily balm for anyone with dry, chapped or sensitive lips, in sun, wind and cold weather.
Why choose LipQ?
If your lips are prone to cold sores, or simply dry, chapped and sensitive, most ordinary lip balms are made for comfort alone. LipQ is designed specifically for cold sore-prone lips, combining liquorice with nourishing oils and protective waxes as gentle, everyday care you can use consistently, including between outbreaks. It is naturally derived, made without added perfume, and gentle enough for daily use.
How to use LipQ
(every day)
Smooth a thin layer over your lips morning and night, and reapply whenever they feel dry or when lips are more vulnerable, such as in cold, wind or sun, or when you are run down. Made for daily use, including between outbreaks.
LipQ Liquorice & Melissa Lip Gel
(when you feel one coming)
Apply at the very first tingle of a cold sore, then 2 to 3 times a day until it settles. Like the balm, it is made with liquorice extract, in a fast, targeted gel.
Routine
Used together, the daily balm and the first-tingle gel are the complete LipQ routine.
LipQ: frequently asked questions
1. What is LipQ, and who is it for?
LipQ is a naturally active, British-made lip care range for cold sore-prone, dry and sensitive lips. It is built around liquorice and nourishing plant oils, and is designed as gentle, everyday care to soothe and protect the lips, including between outbreaks.
2. What products are in the LipQ range?
Two products work together: the LipQ Liquorice Balm, a daily balm for everyday protective care, and the LipQ Liquorice & Melissa Lip Gel, a light, fast-absorbing gel to reach for at the first tingle. They are also available together as a duo.
3. What is in LipQ, and how does the liquorice work?
LipQ is built around liquorice root extract, a natural source of glycyrrhizic acid, the compound that has been studied in relation to cold sores. The balm combines it with nourishing oils and protective waxes, and the gel adds Melissa, also known as lemon balm, in a light, fast-absorbing formula.
4. Has LipQ been tested or trialled?
Yes. The LipQ Liquorice Balm was tested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study carried out with the Herpes Viruses Association. It is also dermatologically tested and made for sensitive lips.
5. Is LipQ a treatment for cold sores?
No. LipQ is daily lip care, not a medicine, and it is designed to soothe and protect cold sore-prone lips rather than to treat the virus. For an active outbreak, an antiviral treatment from a pharmacy may help, and the Liquorice & Melissa Lip Gel is a soothing option to reach for at the first tingle.
6. When should I use the balm, and when the gel?
Use the LipQ Liquorice Balm every day, morning and night, including between outbreaks, to keep lips nourished and protected. Reach for the Liquorice & Melissa Lip Gel at the very first tingle, then two to three times a day until it settles.
7. Is LipQ vegan?
LipQ is vegetarian rather than vegan, as the balm contains beeswax. It is free from parabens, added perfume, SLS and MI, and is made for sensitive lips.
8. Where is LipQ made?
LipQ is made in Britain and dermatologically tested for sensitive lips.
9. Can I use LipQ on ordinary dry or chapped lips?
Yes. Although it is made for cold sore-prone lips, the LipQ Liquorice Balm is also a nourishing daily balm for anyone with dry, chapped or sensitive lips, in sun, wind and cold weather.
10. Does LipQ contain nuts, and is it suitable for allergies?
The LipQ Liquorice Balm contains sweet almond oil, so please check the ingredients and patch test first if you have a nut allergy. If your lips feel irritated, stop using it, and speak to a pharmacist or GP if you are unsure.
11. Does LipQ contain SPF or protect against the sun?
No. LipQ does not contain SPF and does not claim to protect against UV. Because sun is a common trigger for cold sore-prone lips, keeping them nourished and protected outdoors is sensible, but for sun protection you should use a dedicated SPF lip product alongside it.
12. What does LipQ smell and taste like?
The balm is smooth and has a gentle, natural liquorice scent from aniseed oil, which most people find pleasant rather than medicinal, and you cannot really taste it. The gel is light and fast-absorbing.
13. Can I use LipQ every day, even between cold sores?
Yes, and that is exactly how it is designed to be used. Because it is made from naturally derived ingredients, the balm is gentle enough for daily use, and using it consistently is the best way to keep cold sore-prone lips cared for.
14. Can I use LipQ during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
LipQ is gentle, naturally derived and made for sensitive lips, and many people use it at this time. As with any product, and particularly the aniseed and liquorice content, it is sensible to check the ingredients and, if you are unsure, speak to your midwife, GP or pharmacist first.
