My tube — carted from handbag to make-up bag to suitcase — is squeezed and battered and well-loved. It is the most brilliant lip balm; shiny but thin enough to use as a nurturing base for ruthless matte lipstick that highlights every flake and dry patch. It talks angry cuticles off the ledge. It soothes nappy rash and cradle cap, calms scraped knees, tames incipient spots, encourages broken skin to mend, eases chafing and works as an all-over face mask after a punishing flight or a wind/sun-burny day outdoors.
