A £9.95 liquorice lip balm has stopped cold sores for a 67-year-old who had suffered for 50 years, with clinical trials showing reduced outbreak severity and duration.
Indigo Faulkner, a 23-year-old student, had endured painful outbreaks since age five. They covered her whole top lip and went up her nose, lasting about ten days. She said: "When I have a really bad outbreak, they cover my whole top lip and go up my nose. They last for about ten days. They can crack open and weep, and when anything touches them, they hurt."
The condition also affected her dating life. Before a Valentine's Day date with her first serious boyfriend, an outbreak meant they couldn't kiss, creating tension. She shared: "The evening ended on a bit of a bad note, and he was disappointed and moody when we parted, which was unfair as it made me feel like I had done something wrong. He kept trying to get close... he thought he was showing how much he liked me, but it just made me angry. I saw it as reckless and stupid."
How the LipQ balm works
Frequent outbreaks, triggered by winter cold snaps, illnesses, and summer sun, left her anxious and hiding her mouth in photos. Prescription tablets didn't help until a family friend recommended LipQ Liquorice Balm (£9.95 for 30g, Amazon).
Containing a natural antiviral extract from liquorice root, the daily balm, paired with LipQ's Rescue Lip Gel at the first tingle, tackled her symptoms at the source. Indigo said: "The combination has reduced not only the length of time my cold sores last but also how often I get them."
She added: "They don't burst open and weep and scab anywhere near as much. I generally feel a lot less anxious, and I've stopped hiding behind my hand in photos...I had a really bad cold last Christmas and for the first time ever I didn’t get a cold sore, which was a miracle."
Clinical trial results
In a double-blind trial conducted by the Herpes Viruses Association on 40 participants, over 73% reported less severe and shorter outbreaks while using the LipQ Liquorice Balm. Additionally, 83% found it more effective than their conventional treatments, with outbreaks lasting half their usual length on average.
Marian Nicholson from the Herpes Viruses Association explained: "We were aware of the research on liquorice and were interested in carrying out an in vivo trial. Quite often results which look impressive in a test tube are not as effective in real life testers."
She added: "However the liquorice balm has performed well with respondents showing a marked reduction in severity and duration of their cold sore outbreaks. In light of this research we are happy to recommend this treatment to our members."
Shopper reviews
Amazon shoppers have also praised the balm. One said: "I've suffered from cold sores for years, and I've tried more remedies than I can count — most did nothing. LipQ works faster and more reliably than anything else I've tried, and I've since recommended it to several friends and family members who've all had the same experience. If you're a longtime cold sore sufferer who's given up hope on remedies actually working, this one is worth trying."
Another noted: "I often suffer from significant cold sore outbreaks. Since using this balm, they are significantly reduced. The taste isn't strong, and even though the tub is small, a little goes a long way."
However, one mixed review read: "I struggle with very dry lips, and this was recommended to me by a friend, and it truly works a treat. The reason I marked it down a star is that the delivery for such a small product is VERY expensive."
A 67-year-old who had suffered for over 50 years said: "I had one starting right in the middle of my top lip, I used some of the lip balm, and it never broke out...it really is brilliant. 10/10 from me! I thought it was expensive at £9.99, but for what it does, it is priceless."
