Cold sore

Everyone’s worst enemy, cold sores start as a tingle and can end with a highly contagious blistering sore, usually on the face. Cold sores usually look like tiny, fluid-filled blisters on or around the lips, which scab over and heal within a few weeks.

View products

Fast Facts

FAQ

Cold sores can last for a few days but often take up to three weeks to fully heal.

Cold sores are highly contagious and can be passed from person to person with close contact like kissing. The bad news is… cold sores are contagious even if you don’t actually see the sores.

The quickest way to get rid of a cold sore is with antiviral medication or a topical gel like Dermal Therapy’s Cold Sore LYSINE+ Gel, which speeds up healing and combats all the stages of your cold sore, from tingling and blistering to wet, dry and healing.

To relieve the discomfort and possible pain of having a cold sore, you can try a cool, damp cloth on the area, antiviral gels and creams or lemon balm, ice, mild painkillers, and some over-the-counter antiviral medications. Lysine is also used for treatment and prevention of cold sores, which is a basic amino acid that’s a constituent of most proteins, which helps the body absorb calcium and build up immunity. Although it’s essential for many bodily functions, lysine works well to help slow down or prevent growth of the virus.

The best cold sore cream is the one that works for you! Our Dermal Therapy Cold Sore LYSINE+ Gel is the only one on the Australian market to contain the essential amino acid lysine. The gel offers triple action relief, plus menthol, camphor and clove leaf oil to soothe the area while its healing.

The short answer is yes, stress can cause cold sores! Stress can cause recurrency of cold sores, if you have previously been exposed to the virus. We know that the main cause of cold sores is the contagious herpes virus, but some people are more prone to cold sores than others. If you’re experiencing stress and anxiety, your immune system is likely weaker than usual, which leaves you more susceptible to viral infections, including cold sores.

Articles on Lip Care

12/31/2025

Urea Powered Lip Balm: The Ultimate Solution for Dry, Chapped Lips

Key Takeaways: Few things are as uncomfortable as persistent dry lips, leaving you constantly searching for effective relief. Dermal Therapy Lip Balm is powered by a unique urea-rich formula for rapid and visible results. This article explains the little-known causes of dry, chapped lips and why urea’s powerful properties make it the best lip balm …

12/18/2025

Christmas Stocking Stuffers: Holiday Skincare Gifts for your Loved Ones!

Key Takeaways: Keep Skin Happy This Holiday Season: The Best Stocking Stuffers for Hydrated Skin The holidays are here, and it’s time to spread some seasonal cheer with thoughtful gifts that show you care. What better way to brighten someone’s Christmas than with practical skincare gift stocking stuffers that bring relief and hydration during the …

Dermal Therapy Christmas Skincare Gifts and ideas

11/28/2025

What is Dermatillomania? A Guide to Skin Picking Disorders

Key Takeaways: We’ve all felt the occasional urge to pick at a scab or blemish. But for some, this impulse becomes an overwhelming compulsion to pick, scratch, or squeeze their skin. This is a recognised mental health condition called Dermatillomania, also known as Excoriation Disorder or Compulsive Skin Picking. It’s a challenging behaviour that can …

07/25/2025

Discover the Magic of Manuka Honey

Key Takeaways Ancient Remedy, Modern Focus: Honey has a long history of medicinal use and is now gaining attention for its potent antimicrobial properties, especially Manuka Honey. What Makes it Special: Manuka Honey, from Australia and New Zealand, contains Methylglyoxal (MGO), a unique compound responsible for its strong antibacterial effect. MGO Potency: The higher the …

Close up of a woman's face, one hand touching bottom lip

Discover how we can help

People who have this condition have found these products to be helpful

Lip Balm SPF 50+

11 reviews

Dermal Therapy Lip Balm SPF 50+ is one of New Zealand’s highest SPF lip balm, combining broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with an ultra-moisturising formula.

Soothe and shield dry, chapped lips all year round, without the greasy feel or bitter sunscreen aftertaste.

SPF 50+ for maximum sun protection
Moisturises and soothes dry, chapped lips
Non-greasy formula with no bitter aftertaste
Ideal for outdoor and everyday use
Dermatologist recommended
Suitable for adults and children 3+

RRP $9.99 NZD

View Product

Front View of the Packaging for Dermal Therapy Lip Balm SPF 50+

Lip Balm SPF 50+ Stick

2 reviews

Look after your smile year-round with Dermal Therapy Lip Balm SPF 50+ Stick. This nourishing formula will keep your lips irresistibly smooth and moisturised while offering the highest UVA/UVB protection. Say goodbye to dry, chapped lips and hello to hydration and protection in one easy application.

Moisturising formula hydrates and softens
Highest UVA and UVB protection
Non-greasy
Great-tasting tropical mango flavour

RRP $8.99 NZD

View Product

Real People Real Results

Lip Balm Mint

Face & Lips

Lip Balm Original

Forever recommending this @dermaltherapy lip balm to my clients.

yadscauchiskin

Lip Balm Original

It’s literally the best for healing chapped lips. The best for dry lips.

@mrskatevibes

Lip Balm Original

This product has gone above and beyond what I expected and is by far my favourite lip balm of all time.

Tess

Lip Balm Original

Obsessed with this lip balm from Dermal Therapy. For someone whose lips are perpetually dry this has been a lifesaver.

@thismumsstyle

Lip balm berry

Lip balm mint

My partner never leaves home without Dermal Therapy Lip Balm.

@grey_hair_is_beautiful

Fast Facts

Cold sore virus

More common than you think

Fever blisters

Below the surface

FAQ

Articles on Lip Care