When winter rolls around, our lips can become very dry as our bodies are exposed to cold air. This cold air is made up of particles that make the lower layer of the lip less moist, causing a decrease in membrane stability, which can then lead to cracking of the lips, which is very sore.
The cold weather also makes it harder for blood to reach the lips, which causes them to dry up quickly. Our body’s natural response is to create more saliva, but this also leads to increased wind production, further drying out the lips.
How to Care For Your Lips During The Winter?
When it comes to caring for your lips during the winter, there are plenty of options. But one thing you probably should not do is use any products that contain alcohol or menthol, as they can only exacerbate dryness.
During the week, it’s a good idea to use a lip scrub to slough away any dead skin cells, or dry patches, especially if it’s a scrub containing oil, as the oil will leave your lips nourished and smooth, and ready for your lip balm of choice.
When it’s cold, it might be tempting to lick your lips, but frequent licking of the lips can actually harm the lips by drying them out, and leaving them sore and chapped. So try to stop licking your lips, especially when outside, to prevent your lips from becoming dried out.
When choosing your perfect lip balm for the winter, consider a natural lip balm with a shea butter formula, which will help to keep your lips nourished, but also it’ll double up as a protective layer when going out in to the cold. You can use a lip mask overnight should you wish to give your lips an even greater dose of hydration, and you’ll wake up to super soft lips, and you’ll be ready for the day ahead.
If it’s cold, you might be better choosing more hydrating lip formulas like lip oils or lip glosses, instead of matte or liquid lipsticks, as they have the tendency to be quite drying. Mix the drying formula, with the cold weather, and it’s a recipe for dry, cracked lips. If you like a lip tint, you could apply a lip tint like Benefit Benetint to add a hint of colour, and then top it with a lip oil for extra shine and hydration.