Is a lysine lip balm worth adding to my daily cold sore prevention routine?

I use a lysine balm with SPF every morning mostly because chapped, sun exposed lips are my biggest trigger, and keeping them moisturized and protected has been the most consistent thing for me. I still keep Abreva in my bag just in case.

Everyone with HSV seems to have different triggers, so I would track when yours tend to show up and pair the balm with whatever else matters for you, like sleep and stress. Worth chatting with a pharmacist or doctor if you want a personalized plan.

For me it is less about the lysine itself and more about the habit, since applying balm daily means my lips never get dry and cracked in the first place. Pick one you actually like the taste and feel of so you stick with it.

Honestly I was skeptical but it's been one of the easier habits to keep since I already reapply balm all day anyway, and my lips feel less prone to that dry tingly stage that usually kicks things off for me. Not sure how much of it is the lysine vs just keeping my lips protected, but I'm not going to stop now.

Honestly it made a difference for me, mostly because I actually remember to use a balm all day when I forget to take the tablets, so it kind of became my safety net. Just give it a few weeks before you judge it, it took me a while to notice anything.

For me the tingle gives me a few hours of warning at most.

Down to about two a year now, prevention genuinely works.

For me the tingle gives me a few hours of warning at most.

Down to about two a year now, prevention genuinely works.

Reflected sun is sneaky, it got me on holiday last year.

The morning SPF habit was the single thing that cut mine down.

Welcome. The two things worth knowing early: it is very common, and it is far more preventable than most people realise.