Nearly everyone has had to deal with the discomfort of chapped lips that inevitably happen in the cold, dry air of fall and winter. When they’re especially bad, your chapped lips end up flaking, cracked, bleeding, and infected.
However, just because chapped lips are commonplace, that doesn’t mean they’re a necessary evil. The American Academy of Dermatology states that it’s possible to maintain soft, moisturized lips all year-round. It’s tricky, though, because the skin on your lips is thinner and dries out 10 times faster than the skin on the rest of your face, so it needs extra care.
But with so many products out there for lips, you might find yourself wondering which ones are most effective.
Here’s what you should consider when you buy a new tube or canister of lip balm this fall:
As with so many products, it comes down to the ingredients. The better products are those made with ingredients that help you heal. Flip the package over and read the back—look for ingredients like castor seed oil, ceramides, dimethicone, hemp seed oil, mineral oil, petrolatum, and shea butter.
Ideally, your lip balm should contain some kind of sun-protective ingredients and have SPF 30 or higher to protect your lips from the sun’s UV rays—yes, even in winter. Sunburn can make dryness and chapping even worse. Check to see whether your lip balm contains titanium oxide or zinc oxide.
Avoid ingredients that can worsen the irritation, such as camphor, eucalyptus, lanolin, menthol, oxybenzone, phenol, propyl gallate, and salicylic acid. Fragrances and flavorings can also make your lips worse.
Looking for a reliable brand? Products made by Carmex tend to contain camphor and lanolin, so they’re not ideal. Blistex Simple and Sensitive is a better option, as it is made with cocoa butter and shea butter instead of irritating allergenic ingredients. The best option though? Simple petroleum jelly, better known by the brand-name Vaseline, is inexpensive and effective. Choose a version made with cocoa butter for extra strength.
If you want a cosmetic option, E.L.F. Moisturizing Lipstick will give your lips vibrant color and luminous shine while sealing in moisture with ingredients like mineral oil, petroleum, and shea butter.
You can further aid your lips by drinking of plenty of water—a hydrated body means hydrated lips. Avoid licking or biting your lips, which will dry them out faster as your saliva evaporates. Consider using a humidifier in your home to prevent the air from getting too dry. If your lips continue to be overly dry for more than two weeks with proper care, see a dermatologist.
