A Derm-Approved Guide to Eliminating Those Chapped Winter Lips

Most of us have a regimented skincare routine that might change during winter, however, chances are, not as much focus is placed on our lips. Sure, we might up the ante with our use of balming or glossing of our lips during winter, but do we really give our lips the attention they deserve? Lucy Macdougald, Dermal Specialist at Biologi explains why winter is a great time to pay a little lip service.

Why do our lips deserve extra attention during winter?

Personally, I feel our lips deserve extra attention year-round! Our lips can be one of the most prominent, stand-out facial features however we can all be guilty of neglecting them when it comes to our skincare. Many people don’t realise that the lips cells are more delicate and sensitive than the rest of the face. Firstly, they don’t have sebaceous glands, so they lack the natural oils that hydrate the skin which makes them drier and more prone to cracking. Secondly, lips are made up of significantly fewer layers of skin, making it harder for them to retain moisture. Interestingly, this is what leaves the blood vessels more exposed and is why the lips are darker in colour than the rest of the face.

In winter, a combination of both environmental factors and lifestyle practices can cause lips to become dry and chapped. The change in season means we are exposed to cold air outside and often, dry and heated air inside. This happens because the Keratin (which forms the top layer of our skin) loses its flexibility, causing lips to become dry, chapped, sore or scaly.

What are the key things we should be doing for our lips in winter?

With a slightly different make up to the rest of the face, there are some lip-specific actions we should do to achieve smooth, supple and hydrated lips during winter:

STAY HYDRATED: The lips respond to internal hydration the same way as the rest of the skin. Hydrate by consuming liquid in the form of pure water, smoothies and herbal tea to keep lips naturally moisturised. Also be sure to hydrate lips from the outside by applying a moisturing lip treatment like Biologi’s BL Nourish Lip Serum. Helping to repair, hydrate, protect and anti-age, this water-soluble serum gives lips a boost of moisture and natural exfoliation, whilst leaving lips feeling refreshed, supple, and soft to the touch.

PROTECT LIPS FROM THE ELEMENTS: Lips are much more susceptible to the elements such as the cold air or harsh sun so always apply a lip treatment during winter, along with a lip-friendly SPF when you are outdoors. Pair that with antioxidant protection to defend against free radical damage caused by harmful UV rays.

EXFOLIATE: Just like we would give our faces and bodies regular exfoliation, our lips need to be exfoliated too. Apply an overnight treatment, just like Biologi’s BL Lip Serum, and then in the morning use a toothbrush or cloth to gently exfoliate excess skin and build-up.

What should we avoid doing?

There’s a host of things we shouldn’t be doing and the first culprit is something many of us are prone to doing unconsciously – licking lips!

AVOID LICKING LIPS: Whilst licking your lips might feel like it gives a burst of hydration, it actually has the opposite effect. Saliva evaporates quickly taking with it any natural moisture present. Saliva also contains enzymes that dry out the delicate cells leaving lips more dehydrated than before.

DON’T OVERUSE LIP BALM: Lip balm and chapsticks are designed to give an instant burst of hydration when lips feel dry but it’s easy to become reliant on the waxy products. The lips are designed to naturally hydrate themselves so overusing lip balms that give external hydration can actually slow the internal processes and become counterproductive. Then it becomes a case of the more you use, the more you will need.

DON’T BUY INTO FADS: Products that promise to plump lips and keep lipstick locked in place may seem like a good idea, however unfortunately the ingredients used to create these reactions can actually damage delicate skin cells. Remember that the skin on the lips has fewer layers than the rest of the face, so anything designed to be long-lasting or lock lip products in place can also fill the pores with toxins. If you apply a product that stings, tingles, or burns, even if the sensation is short term, those ingredients remain trapped in the layers causing unseen damage to cells. Whilst you don’t want toxins close to your cells, you definitely don’t want them so close to your mouth where they can easily be ingested.

Our Top Lip Balms, Primers and Exfoliators

Before picking our perfect nude lipstick, here are our top products for chapped winter lips…

BIOLOGI  Nourish Lip Serum

A cure-all lip treatment that hydrates, protects and gently exfoliates the lips. Using single-plant ingredients, the serum containing the 100% active, organic and undiluted ingredient offers ntioxidants and phytonutrients known for their positive effects on the skin. It’s a great overnight treatment to get lips into their ultimate state, or used as a daily treatment when lips feel dry.

RRP $24.00

Votary Tinted Lip Gloss, Raspberry & Squalane

A vegan tinted lip gloss enriched with 12 natural plant oils. Natural Squalane prevents moisture loss, hydrating and smoothing fine lines and provides a source of replenishing fatty acids. A great source of vitamin E and A, raspberry seed oil gives your lips a natural highlighting glow. Passionflower, Jojoba and Baobab nourish and restore plumpness, giving your lips a fuller, softer look.

RRP $80.00

We Are Feel Good Inc  Cocoa Lip Balm SPF 50+

Enriched with Vitamin E, Cocoa Oil, Shea Butter and Omega 3, 6 and 9 for extra hydration and nourishment, the Cocoa Lip Balm SPF 50+ is a broad spectrum to give you maximum coverage and protect your lips from the harmful rays of the sun whilst keeping them smooth, soft and moisturised.

RRP $19.95

Trinny London Miracle Blur

Not a lip balm but a great product to smooth out dry lips, the Miracle Blur is a skin-smoothing, line-blurring produt that will leave skin smooth and perfectly even.  The formula is infused with collagen and elastin, containing antioxidants Vitamin E and C to nourish the skin.

RRP $48.00

Dr Roebuck’s DARLING Lip Therapy

With just three key ingredients, this luxurious lip balm helps to condition, repair, and protect the delicate skin on your lips. Say goodbye to dehydration and dryness with antioxidants Kakadu Plum and Macadamia Oil help to soothe and protect while Peppermint Oil delivers a subtle, refreshing tingle that leaves lips looking plump with a flattering natural sheen.

RRP $18.00

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick SPF 15

The legendary Eight Hour Cream is famous for moisturising, softening and smoothing. The lipstick formula is easy to apply and provides antioxidant protection with vitamin E and a shield against UV exposure for chapped winter lips.

RRP $30.00

Megan Potter Natural Lip Balm (3 pack)

RRP $25.00

Burt’s Bees Advanced Relief Balm

Burt’s Bees classic lip balm instantly hydrates to help repair extremely dry lips and provides long lasting hydration  All of the ingredients  are 100% natural origin, including responsibly sourced beeswax and jojoba oil and formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS.

RRP $7.95

Lucas’ Pawpaw Remedies 

The on-the-go, go-to multitasking skin saver, Lucas’ Papaw Remedies Ointment, is perfect to help relieve and soothe skin irritations. Made with Australian Carica Papaya grown and fermented in Queensland, Lucas’ Papaw Ointment is armed with antibacterial and antimicrobial healing properties to treat dry lips.

RRP $7.00

Medik8 Mutiny

A gel-like balm that instantly melts into an oil on the lips, feeding them with essential nourishment to help visibly restore and repair the lip barrier. Mutiny provides both instant and long-lasting hydration, leaving the lips nourished, replenished and moisturised.

RRP $39.00

Breeze Balm Be Mine Strawberry

A glossy lip balm enriched with 100% Pure Lanolin and Beeswax adds softness to your lips in no time. The creamy consistency and moisturising Lanolin keeps your lips hydrated and glossy for hours.

RRP $19.95

Clemence Organics Rose Tinted Lips

This nurturing tinted lip balm has been naturally coloured with Alkanet Root to give it a lovely plum shade with a hint of sheen. It contains Jojoba and Shea Nut Oils for long-lasting hydration and Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E  to nourish and soothe.

RRP $24.98

Lip Punch Gentle Citrus

Protect and nourish dry, chapped lips with this rich buttery balm made from natural beeswax, arnica and essential oils. It smells great and is easy to apply.

RRP $14.95

iS CLINICAL’s Lip Duo

 This luxurious duo focuses on lip health whilst providing a fuller look. The LIP POLISH is a gentle and effective scrub with powerful antioxidants of Vitamins C and E to smooth and hydrate lips. The YOUTH LIP ELIXIR  smooths and hydrates as it enhances, softens, and plumps the overall appearance of the lips.

RRP $149.00

Lanolips Golden Dry Skin Miracle Salve

 This classic lip balm is the ultimate product for chapped winter lips. Formulated with all-natural lanolin, anti-bacterial and healing Manuka Honey, and antioxidant vitamin E it coats, protects and hydrates extremely dry and rough lips.

RRP $19.95

Grown Alchemist Tinted Age-Repair Lip Treatment

This advanced Tinted Age-Repair Lip Treatment complements any skin tone and conditions the lips while visibly increasing volume, smoothing the lip-line and reducing fine lines on and around the lip contour.

RRP $40.00

The Beauty Chef Flora Fix Balm

A Certified Organic, deeply hydrating balm that relieves dry and rough skin. The product is made of camellia and rosehip oil, vitamin E and bio-fermented coconut to intensely moisturise, smooth fine lines and hydrate lips and comes in a cute jar.

RRP $25.00

Aceology Lip Mask

Use it as an overnight lip mask or a lip balm during the day.  The deep treatment is formulated to keep your lips smooth and plump with a nourishing, moisturising list of ingredients to prevent your lips from becoming dry and parched overnight.

RRP $19.00

Arbonne Shea Butter Moisturizing Lip Balm

No more chapped winter lips with this hydrating formula to help nourish lips and leaving them feeling soft and smooth. Containing five moisturising botanical oils, this silky balm is the perfect solution to dry lips.

RRP $16.00

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Lip Service

Make your lips look great whilst protect them with this protective lip balm, lip primer and subtle gloss all in one. It conditions protects and repairs the delicate lip area, thanks to the antioxidant powers of Vitamin E, while menthol keeps lips feeling fresh.

RRP $32.00