Lip Care Alert! Are You Protecting Your Lips Well in The Winter?

by Vijay Khatri A full time health and fitness blogger

The best time of the year – winter – is here in all its glory and splendour. There is a splash of colour all around and a nip in the air. Winter means outdoor events, picnics, treks, sunbathing on the terrace etc.

For most people however, winter brings with it, dry, flaky skin too. The depleting moisture in the air tends to dry out our skin, leaving it itchy and cracked. Certain parts of the skin are affected more by the dryness, including our lips that have thinner skin than the rest of our face. Chapped lips are a common occurrence in winter.

But that doesn’t mean that you have to remain with this problem throughout the winter months. Nature has enough oils and hydrating elements that can restore moisture on our lips and keep them healthy.

We take you through various natural lip care solutions in this blog, and suggest moisturizing products that can soothe your lips and provide relief from pain.

Why do my lips dry out in winter?

The lips do not have oil glands of their own. So depleting humidity in the atmosphere causes them to dry out. Also, certain lip balms have ingredients that further dry out the lip skin.

Make sure you avoid these drying ingredients in your lip balm in winter:

Menthol and peppermint
Camphor
Lanolin
Beeswax
Salicylic acid

Other precautions you can take during winter to prevent drying lips are:

Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. In winters, we tend to feel less thirsty, but lack of hydration in the body can lead to dry, cracked skin on the lips.
Avoid washing your face in hot water as it strips your skin of moisture. Use lukewarm water instead.
Exfoliate your lips regularly to keep them supple.
Avoid licking your lips to moisturize them, as saliva tends to pull moisture leaving them dry.
The sun’s UV rays can dry out your lips, so wear sunscreen while venturing out during daytime. Use SPF on lips too.
Use a lip balm for dry lips that has naturally derived ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, Squalane, Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Fruit butters, Sweet Almond oil etc.
Include good fats like fish oil, and coconut and olive oils in your diet.

What lip balm do dermatologists recommend?

Since lips do not have inherent oil glands, you need to replenish the lack of moisture externally. Lip balms and lip masks are ideal for restoring moisture and keeping your lips soft and supple.

Let’s find out what dermatologists recommend in lip balms for winter.

A lip balm for dry lips with Squalane (a highly refined botanical lipid derived from olives), Aloe Vera and Vitamin E keeps your lips protected and moisturized. Apply liberally to give relief to your dry lips. What’s more, the Cranberry variant of this lip balm is a great lip balm for dark lips.

If you are going out in the sun every day, you need UV protection for your lips too. Apply a soothing and hydrating lip balm that has Coconut oil and Lemon Butter, combined with broad spectrum SPF 25. This will prevent UV damage to your lips and keep them moisturized. (Do not use chemical sunscreens on lips however, as these may cause allergic reactions).

For intense hydration and overnight moisturization, try a butter mask for lips, infused with Coconut oil and Mango Butter. This effective lip balm helps repair your skin’s natural moisture barrier at night, to give you smoother, softer, supple lips in the morning.

Most men tend to suffer dry and chapped lips in winter. Lip care for men must include a moisturizing lip balm with the goodness of Shea Butter and Squalane. This non-shiny formula works excellently on men’s lips to provide all day protection and hydration.

Enjoy the winter and the chilly, bracing air without bothering about skin damage. The house of Kiehl’s provides a wide range of natural lip care products that bring back the smooth, lovely lips. With these time-tested, dermatologist approved skincare products, you can rejuvenate your skin and lips, and maintain your good looks even in winter.

Enjoy your days of winter sunshine!