We can all agree that chapped lips are the worst. Once they become dry and flaky, it feels like an ongoing, uphill battle trying to get them back to their supple state. Add things like cold and blustery weather and ultra dry indoor heating and your efforts are practically futile.
"Dehydration is the number one cause for lip chapping, which can be both due to internal and external factors," says board certified dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban. "Winter is the prime season because both temperatures and environment humidity are at an all-time low."
She adds that because there are only a few layers of cells (60 percent less compared to other body parts) that transepidermal water loss (TEWL) becomes more of an issue. Also, our lips don't have oil glands, which means they need supplemental moisture.
To keep your lips in good shape all season long, make sure you avoid these common mistakes.
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Habitual Lip Licking
Licking your lips is second nature, especially when you just want to add some moisture. Unfortunately, this habit backfires.
"The first thing most people do when they feel their lips are dry is begin licking them, which is the worst thing you can do," warns Dr. Alexis Stephens, board certified dermatologist at Parkland Dermatology and spokesperson for The Inkey List. "It releases the enzyme amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates on your lips, which further irritates the skin. When that water from the saliva evaporates, it takes away even more water from your skin."
Reach for an occlusive lip moisturizer instead. It's not super glamorous, but Blistex Medicated Lip Balm SPF 15, $2.89, can provide instant relief and healing. Shamban adds that applying before showering and again before bed can help create a buffer against TEWL.
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Forgetting Sunscreen
Your lips need protection from the sun just like the rest of your skin notes Stephens. In addition to using a lip balm with built-in SPF, she says you can apply SPF on top (and around the perimeter of your lips) for extra protection. Especially if you're spending a lot of time outdoors in the sun. Try Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 36, $15.
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Picking at Your Lips
"This may be tempting, especially when cracking leads to flaking, but touching [your lips] can exacerbate bacteria [growth] as well as inflammation and aggravation," says Shamban. As an alternative, she recommends lightly exfoliating with a soft-bristle toothbrush when lips are warm and moist.
You can also try a super gentle sugar scrub that's infused with moisturizing oil, such as Sephora Collection Rose Lip Scrub, $7.
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Chewing Gum
Shamban says that chewing gum, or even sucking on candy, can make your lips worse. The residue can get on your lips, which exacerbates the problem. Gum and candy with mint or cinnamon can be especially irritating.
"Use a green tea bag, which is rich in antioxidants and tannins, that has been steeped and cooled and dab onto lips for several minutes. It will soothe, calm and distract the oral fixation," advises Shamban.
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