Dry, Cracked Lips

Those dry cracked lips are just dreadful! And if you try applying a lipstick it looks very theatrical… This doesn’t usually affect you in the summer, but in winter you can’t escape it. Now that we are all once again flocking to faraway snowy destinations, here are some quick tips to keep your lips in top condition…

Fifty percent of people have no sebaceous glands in the lips, the other fifty percent have only a few. That is not nearly enough, of course, to keep your lips well hydrated when it becomes dry and cold. Furthermore, Vitamin E is found in sebum and this Vitamin E works in a preventative way against the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. To top it off, in contrast to the rest of the body, the skin on the lips doesn’t feature a stratum corneum. This stratum corneum is much needed, as it can protect us against exterior damaging effects and prevent the skin from drying out. Because the skin on the lips has almost no melanin, it makes them very vulnerable to sunlight, your lips are therefore very much “at risk” of skin ageing and skin cancer. In fact, it is absurd that we spend hundreds of euros each year on expensive creams and neglect our lips. So it’s time for action!

Tip 1) Apply a lip balm more frequently during the day in winter. If you look for a product that doesn’t contain perfume, mint eucalyptus or other irritating components, you won’t have to worry that you’ll become “addicted” to it.  Just Vaseline or olive oil is also fine.

Tip 2) Apply an SPF on your lips daily. If this is not included in your lipstick or lip balm then use a separate product. Be aware that a lip balm, in general, provides a relatively low SPF, a high protection factor gives the product a firm structure, sometimes has less of a pleasant taste and leaves a white film behind. Great for your cracked lips, but not so great for the manufacturers bank balance!

Tip 3) Don’t scrub your cracked lips, scrubbing easily damages the skin on the lips, causing you to end up in a vicious circle. If you actually have peeling lips, then apply some Vaseline and gently wipe the bits of skin off with a flannel. Afterwards apply another layer of lip balm, oil or Vaseline.

Tip 4) Throw the so-called lip plumping glosses in the bin. They work by irritating the skin on your lips. Through the irritation your lips will swell up briefly, but afterwards you will pay the price…

I am sure that, with these tips, you will have a kissable mouth all year round!

Regards Jetske

(Dr. Jetske Ultee-Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology)

Find product advice here for sun protection creams,
Also read the blogs ‘Mineral Oil, What You Should Know‘,
‘A Must’,
Such Dry Skin‘,
Help with Choosing Your Moisturizer‘,
Alcohol in Skincare Products. Better Not!’ and
26 Fragrances‘.