When temperatures dip, do you feel your smile dip right along with them? Winter can be especially tough on the delicate skin around your mouth, leaving lips rough, dry and begging for extra care. And nothing puts a damper on a good day quite like trying to grin through cracks, flakes or irritation.
Perhaps layering thick lip balm hasn’t really solved the problem. Or you find yourself excessively licking your lips in an effort to keep them more moisturized. Lip care isn’t that complicated, right? So why is your mouth so unhappy? Never fear – all you need is some quick tips and tricks to keep your mouth soft and supple all winter long. Just follow these guidelines and you’ll be ready to make merry by Christmas with a pucker ready for kissing under mistletoe in no time!
![A Woman Applies Lip Moisturizer While Looking Out the Window, Representing Lip Care During the Winter Months.]()
The Ultimate Guide to Cold-Weather Lip Care
As temperatures decline, lips can become dry, chapped and cracked due not only to a lack of humidity in cold, dry air but also because of the contrast in warm, dry indoor heating.
“Lips are more likely to dry out during winter due to their unique structure,” explains Emily Brewer, DCNP, a board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner at the Derm Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “Unlike other parts of your skin, lips don’t have sebaceous glands that produce natural oils, making them dependent on external hydration and protection. Cold winds, low humidity and dry indoor air further increase dryness.”
As the air becomes dryer, you might feel like externally increasing moisture by licking your lips. But don’t do it! “Habits such as licking your lips often worsen the problem, as saliva evaporates quickly and leaves lips even drier,” Brewer clarifies.
So what should you do instead?
How to Protect Lips in Winter
Hydrate
It may sound strange, but not drinking enough water can impact your lip health.
“Dehydration affects the entire body, including the lips,” Brewer says. “Drinking water consistently throughout the day helps maintain hydration levels. During winter, when people tend to drink less water, it makes hydration a priority that is critical.”
Avoid picking or licking
It may be difficult to leave your lips alone if you have cracked or chapped skin but refrain from making it potentially worse by picking at them.
“Picking at flaky skin can damage lips further and cause infections. Instead, apply a moisturizing balm regularly throughout the day,” Brewer suggests.
Try a humidifier
As winter months advance, your furnace begins to perform full-time, but this affects the overall indoor humidity.
“Dry indoor air caused by heating systems can dehydrate skin and lips,” Brewer explains. “However, using a humidifier can help increase moisture levels in the air, preventing excessive dryness.”
Protect your mouth
If you live in areas of the US that experience harsh chills, consider adding additional protective layers around your mouth and face when you step outside.
“Exposure to harsh weather can strip lips of moisture,” Brewer adds. “Covering your lips with a scarf or wearing a mask when outdoors can reduce the effects of cold wind.”
What to Look For in Lip Care Products
With lots of products out there promising to plump up your puckers, be sure you know what’s in your products before you apply them to such a sensitive area of your skin.
“Lip balms act as a shield against dry air and cold weather,” Brewer says. “Choose products with ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter or petroleum jelly, which lock in moisture. Look for lip balms with SPF to protect lips from UV rays, which are still present [even] during winter.”
Also watch out for ingredients that you might want to steer clear of. “Avoid menthol, camphor and fragrances, as they can irritate sensitive lips. [Look] for simple, fragrance-free formulas with hydrating ingredients like beeswax or petroleum jelly [instead],” Brewer advises.
Your Lip Saving Routine in 4 Easy Steps
Step 1: Hydrate inside & out
Staying hydrated internally is key to preventing dryness so drink plenty of water. Lock in moisturize externally by applying a lip balm with hydrating ingredients like coconut oil, hyaluronic acid or ceramides throughout the day.
Consider Desert Essence’s Ultra Hydrating Lip Rescue for a balm that can plump as well as moisturize with the potent ingredient ginkgo biloba which, along with shea butter and beeswax, can help to decrease free radical damage with quercetin, stimulate collagen production, improve blood circulation and increase moisture retention.
Step 2: Gently exfoliate
Use a mild lip scrub or a soft-bristled toothbrush to buff away flakes. Once or twice a week is sufficient to remove dead skin cells. Immediately follow exfoliation with a hydrating balm to lock in moisture.
Condition your lips with Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub as it provides exfoliating honey crystals with luxurious cocoa seed butter and nutrient rich, responsibly sourced beeswax to soften and hydrate.
Step 3: Shield
Apply a lip balm with at least SPF 30 to protect your lips from sun damage. Try not to chew on, pick or excessively lick your lips, as saliva can worsen dryness as it evaporates.
Defend your kisser with Raw Elements’ Mineral Sunscreen in Pink Lip Shimmer. It provides an impressive degree of UVA and UVB broad spectrum protection with SPF 30 using water resistant, non-nano zinc oxide in an alluring light pink tint.
Step 4: Nourish before bed & after showering
Using a thick, nourishing lip mask or ointment before bed can deeply moisturize and repair your lips while you sleep. Also consider applying a lip balm right after showering, while your lips are still damp, to help seal in moisture.
Reach for Dr. PawPaw’s Multipurpose Overnight Lip Mask which combines the exfoliating enzymes of papaya and lactic acid with the hydrating elements of aloe vera and olive oil, plus dense castor oil to retain moisture and finally natural peptides to plump and firm.
Chapped lips do not have to be part of your winter reality. Even in areas of the US where the climate becomes severe, a daily routine and some tools like a humidifier can make a huge difference.
“Chapped lips can be avoided with consistent hydration, protective lip products and proper care against environmental factors,” Brewer says. “These steps will keep your lips comfortable and healthy throughout winter.” So arm yourself accordingly and you’ll be able to welcome winter with a beautiful smile!