The skin on our lips is thinner than the skin on our face, making it more susceptible to changes in temperature that occur in winter. Redness, peeling, cracks–find out how to treat and prevent these issues that are commonplace during the colder months.
Caring for Chapped Lips
Treatment involves applying a moisturizing lip balm and reapplying regularly over the course of the day. A quality product should contain:
- moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil or shea butter, which can nourish the skin and restore its elasticity;
- aloe vera, which boasts anti-inflammatory and healing properties;
- beeswax, which helps protect the skin from external aggressions and also helps retain moisture;
- vitamin E to soothe the skin and prevent dehydration.
Note: Perfume- and silicone-based products should be avoided if you have very sensitive skin.
Preventing Chapped Lips
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Apply a Lip Balm
Daily application of a quality lip balm is essential when it comes to keeping lips from drying and cracking. The oily layer it leaves on the surface of your lips protects them from dehydration and the harsh winter elements.
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Drink Plenty of Water
Many health organizations recommend drinking at least 1.5 litres of water every day. And it remains essential even in winter, with warm drinks like tea solid choices in moderation.
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Use Sun Protection
If you usually apply sunscreen to your skin during summer to protect it from harsh UV rays, don’t forget to also do so in winter, especially on your delicate lips.
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Maintain Adequate Indoor Humidity
Given that heating lowers the humidity levels indoors, it’s therefore not surprising that dry, cracked lips worsen in winter. During the season, be sure to maintain a relative humidity between 30% and 50% inside your home, ensuring better comfort and health.
Beware of Exfoliation
While exfoliating can remove dead skin cells, thereby ensuring better absorption of lip balms, such products can however be abrasive and irritate the thin skin of the lips. Some dermatologists recommend avoiding them altogether.
Things to Avoid
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Licking Your Lips
Running your tongue over your lips to keep them moist is a bad habit that can make chapped lips even more so. Saliva also contains digestive enzymes that can be irritating to skin.
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Rinsing Your Face with Hot Water
This habit is bad for the skin on your face, but also for more fragile areas like the lips. Hot water promotes dryness and harms your skin’s barrier by removing protective natural oils. Opt for lukewarm water over hot, both for your face and body.
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Removing Flaked Dead Skin
Everyone has the reflex to pick at chapped, cracked pieces of skin on chapped lips, but doing so can worsen the problem, even slow down the healing process. Another good reason to keep your hands away from your face!