In many ways, the mouth is one of the most intimate parts of the body. We use it to eat, drink, taste, and, sometimes, breathe. With so many crucial functions, it’s equally important to treat your mouth with great care, day and night. 

For some, that might mean fluoride-free toothpaste to keep teeth clean and white, or sugar-free gum to keep the oral microbiome balanced. For some, it also means what they put on their lips, like a plant-based lip balm to keep lips hydrated or lightweight lip tape to encourage nasal breathing. 

But, just as not all lip balms equally hydrate lips for a dewy pout, not all lip tapes are created equal, either!

In this article, we’ll compare different types of lip tape materials (also called mouth tape) to see what stacks up in terms of skin-friendly materials and how you can find the perfect lip tape for your own needs. 

What to look for in a skin-friendly lip tape: 

1. Medical-Grade Hypoallergenic Silicone Adhesive: As the name states, lip tapes that contain hypoallergenic silicone adhesive are, by nature, gentle on the skin and hypoallergenic. Silicone is “something of a hybrid between synthetic rubbers and synthetic plastic polymers”, according to MindBodyGreen, and silicone is known as a skin-friendly product due to its flexibility, malleability and water resistance. When comparing lip tapes, it’s also crucial to find brands that tout ‘medical-grade’ in their materials statement. Medical-grade means the product complies with global regulatory requirements and is specifically engineered and manufactured for medical use. When it comes to your delicate mouth area, it’s not worth risking your skin health by using lip tape that’s not manufactured for skin contact and made by a reputable manufacturer.  
2. No Natural Rubber Latex: Latex allergies are more common than you might think and latex allergies arise when your body mistakes latex for a harmful substance. A latex allergy may cause itchy skin, hives, or even anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause throat swelling. Look for a lip tape that does NOT include latex, as you might experience a reaction to the material. Dryft Beauty-Sleep Strips do not contain natural rubber latex, for example.
3. Repositionable Adhesive: When selecting a lip tape, it’s important to find one that uses an adhesive that’s easily repositionable. Sometimes, it’s hard to get the perfect fit on the first application, so a gentle adhesive that will stick and re-stick is crucial to find the perfect fit for every-night wear. A delicate adhesive also means you can gently remove the lip tape after use. Unlike the adhesive used on some bandages like Band-Aids brand, a repositionable adhesive lip tape allows for removal that isn’t painful, nor leaves residue behind. 
4. Non-Residue Adhesive: There’s nothing worse than waking up after a blissful night of nasal breathing with lips sticky from leftover lip tape adhesive. Look for lip tape brands that clearly state “medical-grade tape” or “medical-grade adhesive” on their website to ensure painless and sticky-free removal. 
5. Made in the USA: If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that the provenance of the things we buy is important. Many wonderful goods come from the global supply chain, and medical supplies are no different. Keeping that in mind, medical-related supplies meet different levels of scrutiny by governing bodies in the US than may be present in other countries. When considering a lip tape, opt for one that’s made in America or shows clear details about its origin so you know what you’re really getting and the conditions under which it was manufactured.