Using Lip Balms has several advantages
a) Main types of lip balms that include those derived from petroleum products such as Vaseline or mineral oil are common and inexpensive.
b) Some types of lip balm contain sunscreen, good for protecting those puckers against lip cancer. (Yes, there is such a thing!)
c) They are easy to customize. Eg. For a matte lipstick, mix lip balm and eye shadow to appropriate proportions. A glossy lip tint can be achieved by mixing cherry Jell-O powder with lip balm.
d) Drawing out lines on the skin around the lips helps protect against inevitable fine lines that appear later on.