Lips are one of the most sensitive parts of the body, and they require special attention, especially during the winter months. Cold weather and low humidity can cause the skin on the lips to dry out and crack, leading to discomfort and even bleeding. Indoor heating can also make the problem worse by further drying out the lips.
However, with some simple tips and tricks, you can keep your lips hydrated and healthy this winter. In this article, we’ll discuss some effective ways to care for dry lips in winter, so you can smile confidently without any discomfort.
Why Do Lips Get Dry And Chapped In Winter?
Before we dive into the tips, let’s first understand why lips get dry and chapped during winter. Here are some common reasons:
- Cold weather: During the winter season, the air becomes dry and cold, which can cause the skin on the lips to lose moisture and become dry.
- Low humidity: Dry air means low humidity levels, which can lead to dehydration of the skin on the lips.
- Indoor heating: While indoor heating provides warmth and comfort, it can also make the air inside your home dry. This leads to further dehydration of the skin on the lips.
- Licking lips: Licking your lips may provide temporary relief, but it can also make the problem worse by removing the natural oils from the lips and causing them to dry out even more.
Caring For Dry Lips In Winter
Here are some effective tips to care for dry lips in winter:
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking enough water is essential to keep your body hydrated, including your lips. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your lips and skin moisturised.
- Use a lip balm: Apply a good quality lip balm regularly to keep your lips moisturised. Look for a balm that contains natural ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil, as they provide nourishment and hydration to the lips. Some lip balms to consider include:
- Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm: This lip balm is made with 100% natural ingredients, including beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter. It’s designed to provide long-lasting hydration to your lips and protect them from the harsh winter weather.
- Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm: This multi-purpose balm contains pure lanolin, which is a natural moisturiser that helps repair and protect your lips. It also contains vitamin E and shea butter, which nourish and hydrate your lips.
- Avoid licking your lips: As mentioned earlier, licking your lips may provide temporary relief, but it can also make the problem worse. When you lick your lips, you remove the natural oils from them, making them dry and chapped.
- Protect your lips: Cover your lips with a scarf or a mask when you go outside to protect them from the cold wind and low humidity.
- Use a humidifier: A humidifier can help add moisture to the air inside your home, preventing the skin on your lips from drying out.
- Exfoliate your lips: Exfoliating your lips can help remove dead skin cells and promote cell regeneration. You can use a homemade scrub made of sugar and honey or a store-bought lip scrub. Some lip scrubs to consider include:
- Frank Body Lip Scrub: This gentle lip scrub is made with natural ingredients like coffee seed oil and sugar, which exfoliate your lips and remove dead skin cells. It’s also enriched with nourishing ingredients like beeswax, cocoa butter, and macadamia oil, which hydrate and soften your lips.
- Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub: This lip scrub is made with natural ingredients like honey crystals, beeswax, and shea butter, which gently exfoliate and moisturise your lips. It’s also cruelty-free and formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
- Avoid products with harsh chemicals: Avoid using lip products that contain harsh chemicals like fragrances, alcohol, and menthol, as they can further dry out your lips.
- Don’t peel off dry skin: It may be tempting to peel off the dry skin on your lips, but it can lead to bleeding and further irritation. Instead, apply a lip balm and let it work its magic.
- Use lip masks: Lip masks are a great way to provide deep hydration to your lips. They are designed to provide intense moisture to your lips and help repair any damage caused by dryness. Lip masks contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and vitamins that nourish and rejuvenate your lips. They come in different forms like sheet masks, cream masks, and overnight masks. You can use a lip mask once a week or as needed to keep your lips healthy and hydrated. Some lip masks to consider include:
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: This popular lip mask is designed to provide intense hydration and nourishment to your lips while you sleep. It contains a blend of natural ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, which help to repair and protect your lips from dryness and chapping.
- Sephora Collection Lip Mask: This sheet mask for lips is designed to provide intense hydration and nourishment to your lips. It contains a blend of natural ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E, which help to moisturise and protect your lips from dryness and chapping.
- Take care of your overall health: Your overall health plays a crucial role in the health of your lips. Make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet, get enough sleep, and manage your stress levels.
Simplifying Caring For Drying Lips In Winter
Caring for dry lips in winter is essential to keep your lips soft and smooth. By following the tips mentioned in this article, you can prevent your lips from getting dry and chapped during the winter season. Remember to drink plenty of water, use a good quality lip balm, protect your lips from the cold wind, and use a humidifier. By taking care of your lips, you’ll be able to smile confidently all winter long.
