How do you get rid of dry, chapped lips, whether it’s winter or summer? Here are a few good beauty tips and product recommendations to help.
But first, what causes chapped lips?
The skin on your lips has no stratum corneum (the thick skin we have on our hands and feet), and it’s also thinner than the skin on the rest of your body. And because that cutaneous barrier is lacking, your lips are more vulnerable to external aggression like pollution, sun, wind, cold and dry air. It’s also less able to retain water. As a result, your lips can easily become dry and damaged!
The good news? There's a simple 4-step routine you can follow to prevent chapping.
1
Exfoliate your lips
Gentle exfoliation at least once a week is essential for preventing dry, chapped lips, because it removes dead skin from your lips and restores their soft, supple nature. How? Use an exfoliating lip balm with natural exfoliating elements like sugar, plus moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E and shea butter, and apply it using small circular movements.
This will help not only smooth the surface of your chapped lips and remove any dead skin cells, but it will also help the delicate skin of your lips regain optimal moisture levels.
A few recommended products
Watier Sensational Kiss Exfoliating Lip Balm, 1.9 g
2
Moisturize your lips
Make sure you coat your lips a few times a day with a highly moisturizing and nourishing lip balm. This step is also essential in preventing dry and/or chapped lips by restoring and maintaining your lips’ natural resistance to environmental aggression.
Deep moisturizing also helps relieve the pain of cracked skin on heavily chapped lips.
What ingredients are best for moisturizing your lips?
Here are a few ingredients to look for on the label of your lip balm:
- Jojoba oil, to soothe, repair and prevent dehydration.
- Aloe vera, recognized for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties.
- Coconut oil, an easily absorbed ingredient featuring emollient, nourishing and moisturizing properties.
- Shea butter, to relieve minor chapping, restore your lips’ elasticity and renew its natural complexion.
- Vitamin E, which soothes and regenerates your skin.
- Olive oil, to help soften and plump up your lips.
- Beeswax, which protects against external aggressions and helps retain moisture in your lips.
If your lips are particularly dry or chapped, try completing your moisturizing routine by applying Vaseline or Calendula cream before bed. These ingredients protect and nourish your skin deeply, helping it repair and regenerate effectively overnight. It's also an effective, easy-to-apply treatment to ensure you maintain soft, moisturized lips.
Do you use a moisturizing face mask? Try applying a small amount of it on your lips to moisturize them, too.
A few recommended moisturizing products
3
Take special care in the corners of your mouth
Speaking, smiling, eating, tension... The corners of your mouth (the commissures) are thin areas subject to almost constant movement. Because of this, wrinkles develop more quickly and easily than anywhere else on your face. What’s more, these wrinkles are more apparent when your skin is dehydrated. That’s another reason it’s so important to provide these areas with plumping active ingredients and a healthy dose of antioxidants.
A product for treating premature aging
4
Protect your lips from the sun
Protecting your lips from the sun is vital for preventing dry lips, even during winter! So, remember to protect your lips from UV rays by using a moisturizing lip balm with an optimal SPF (Sun Protection Factor).
No matter what the temperature is or what time of year it is, the sun's UV rays can still damage your skin (especially your lips), causing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure you reapply your protective moisturizing balm frequently. And always keep some close at hand (why not have one in every bag!).
A few recommended lip balms with solar protection
More tips for preventing dry, chapped lips...
Last but not least, preventing dry, chapped lips also involves choosing your cosmetics carefully, and using multi-functional formulas that combine makeup and skincare: tinted balms and lipsticks or glosses enriched with soothing oils or moisturizing agents are all good choices. Whatever product you choose, make sure it does double duty by enhancing your lips while restoring their natural radiance and suppleness.
A few good tips
- If the air in your bedroom is especially dry, you might want to install a humidifier and keep it running overnight.
- Avoid licking your lips; saliva contains enzymes that dehydrate your lips, further damaging your skin.
- Drink plenty of water during the day.
- Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth whenever possible, because mouth breathing increases the risk of having dry, chapped lips.
Your pharmacist has expertise in treating chapped lips
The best way to relieve dry or chapped lips is to speak to your pharmacist. They can suggest the best lip care products and beauty tips for your situation. Rest assured, they’re always on hand to help!
