Dry Winter can really be a brutal time of the year for your lips. It’s no surprise when you think about why. The cold air, the chilling wind, and dry, heated air inside all conspire to make your lips dry and tight.
“The cold weather has a significant effect on our body, and that includes our lips,” dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, says.
“Plus, keep in mind that when you go out into the cold you may take steps to cover the rest of your body.
But too often, your mouth is one of the last things you cover. Sometimes you might not even do it at all, leaving your lips exposed to those harsher winter conditions.” Dry Winter
Add to that the fact that your lips aren’t the same skin type as the rest of your face and body. Dry Winter
“Lips are a special type of skin that is very thin and delicate — which means they really do require some extra TLC,” Dr. Piliang says.
“Our lips dry out 10 times faster than the rest of the skin on our face, so it’s really important to use extra protection,” Dr. Piliang says.
So, here are six tips to keep your lips smooth and healthy all winter long:
- Don’t lick your lips! When your lips are dry, it’s natural to want to lick them to make them moist. But licking your lips actually has the opposite effect. “Once you put saliva on your lips it actually makes them dry out faster, making your lips even drier overall,” Dr. Piliang says. “Plus, the enzymes that are in saliva that are meant to digest food are irritating to the lips.”
- Use a lip balm that’s ointment-based. This will lock in the moisture and help to heal cracks and splits in the skin. Look for a healing ointment that contains petrolatum, essential oils, or glycerin. Another important ingredient is sunscreen.
