Buzz
During the cold, dry winter months, lips are particularly prone to becoming chapped.
©iStockphoto.com/AndresrWhile it might not cross your mind frequently, your lips lack certain features present in the skin elsewhere on your body, such as oil glands, sweat glands, and pigment [source: Indiana Public Media]. You might wonder, "What about the pink or red tint most lips have?" This coloration comes from the thinness of the skin around your mouth, making blood vessels more noticeable. These unique traits set lips apart from the rest of your skin, necessitating specialized care.
Keeping your lips hydrated is crucial. A straightforward method to ensure healthy skin is to drink ample water daily. In winter, using a humidifier can help counteract dry indoor air and prevent dehydration. Lips are just as vulnerable to dehydration as other parts of your body, and chapped lips often stem from insufficient fluid intake [source: Gibson]. Harsh weather conditions, such as cold air, sun exposure, or wind, can also harm your lips. Protecting them with a scarf or a lip balm containing sunscreen can shield them from the damaging effects of extreme weather [source: American Academy of Dermatology].
If you frequently lick your lips, it’s time to reconsider this habit. Saliva evaporation not only dries out your lips but also contains enzymes that can damage the skin’s protective layer [source: Latona]. While licking might offer brief relief, the long-term consequences outweigh the momentary comfort.
If you’ve been diligent about lip care but still struggle with severely chapped or dry lips, consult a dermatologist. Persistent issues could indicate an allergy or another underlying condition needing professional treatment.
Discover the most effective methods for hydrating severely dry lips in the following sections.
Moisturizing Extremely Dry Lips
Expensive products aren’t necessary to treat extremely dry lips. Often, a quick search through your kitchen or bathroom can yield effective solutions.
Exfoliation benefits not only your body but also your lips. For a gentle exfoliation, use a washcloth to softly rub your lips in the morning and evening. Create a natural scrub by combining olive oil and sugar, then apply it to your lips. Alternatively, you can purchase a lip exfoliator from your local drugstore.
After exfoliating, apply a lip balm or treatment. Look for products containing beeswax, shea butter, vitamin E, or oils like jojoba, olive, or coconut to ensure proper hydration [source: Latona]. Reapply lip balm frequently. Petroleum jelly is an affordable option for moisturizing lips, but reserve it for evening use or layer it under a lip product with SPF. Ensure your lip balm has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreen is crucial for lip care. Without melanin, lips are highly vulnerable to sun damage, which can lead to skin cancer. Sunburned lips often become painfully dry and may peel. Additionally, using sunscreen helps prevent wrinkles and cracks, keeping signs of aging at bay.
Continue reading for more lip hydration tips, including the importance of choosing the right lipstick.
Maintain good lip hygiene and use medicated lip balms in moderation. Be wary of lip balms with camphor and menthol, as they create a tingling sensation that some find addictive [source: Janes].
Tips for Moisturizing Your Lips
Matte lipstick offers long-lasting color and minimal need for touch-ups, but its drying ingredients can leave lips parched. Opt for hydrating formulas enriched with glycerin or vitamin E to maintain moisture. For added hydration, layer a moisturizing balm over your matte lipstick [source: Latona].
Lip gloss adds shine but can increase sun exposure, raising the risk of sun damage and premature aging. Prolonged sun exposure may also heighten the likelihood of skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma, which, while rarely fatal, can be challenging to treat. To protect your lips, choose a lip gloss with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply it frequently [source: Dahl].
Honey can work wonders for your lips. Its natural sugars attract moisture, helping to keep lipstick in place and preventing it from settling into fine lines around your mouth [source: George].
