Greg, thank you for your email. Yes, you wrote–that you don’t dress everyday, and your lips get dried out in the winter. Then, when applying lip colors, your lips look awful and show bite marks!
Greg, thanks for your email. I went sking recently, and my face, lips, and wet hair…convinced me to stay in California…Oh yes, and those ugly boots! Smiles..But seriously…I understand your problem…..when men do not dress everyday, they do not have the same skin care routine we do. I suggest you do begin using something, you keep in the car, or beside your bed. Most men do not think about covering their lips..until the lip color goes on. Here are some things you can do, while in guy mode…to help out.
Keep Balm and Carry
Your lips need a shield to stay in shape. A balm acts like a winterizing layer — like a hat or scarf — to provide a buffer between delicate skin and brutal weather– Not to mention you have hot, dry indoor air to contend with, so never let your lips go nude.
Web MD gives us several good products. Herewith some great suggestions, for winter chapping.
Skin heals better when it’s kept moist, I suggest wearing an emollient balm or ointment rather than a waxy stick treatment.” The goal is to form an occlusive barrier that seals in moisture while providing additional hydration with beneficial oils, Linder says. Plus, an occlusive agent will help seal deep cracks and splits from infection and irritation. For a non-waxy stick, the experts interviewed for this story like Avene Cold Cream Lip Balm, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, and Softlips Pure Pomegranate Organic Lip Conditioner.
Petrolatum is one of the most common occlusive agents, but also look for castor seed oil, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, or squalane to nourish cracked lips. Linder suggests ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, and glycerin to ensure your lips stay moist. Wu suggests Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 containing squalane and natural oils. The experts interviewed for this story also like the petrolatum-based Aquaphor Healing Ointment and Vaseline Lip Therapy.
Another ingredient to look for: SPF, even if you’re closer to a Pole than the Equator. The sun’s rays can cause damage even in sub-Arctic temperatures. If your lip skin has been compromised by UV rays, you’re more susceptible to dry lips. So a sun shield is crucial in the fight against lip flakes. Aveeno Lip Conditioner Essential Moisture SPF 15 and Blistex Lip Infusion SPF 15 won praise from the experts interviewed for this story.
Balms Away
There are some lip treatments that do more harm than good, says Steven K. Grekin, DO, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Iowa.
“Many ingredients can cause dryness and irritation, including eucalyptus, menthol, and camphor,” Grekin tells WebMD.
Acne-prone people may want to look for a petrolatum-free product, Wu says. Some people may find the ingredient clogs pores and causes blackheads or acne.
And avoid the products that come in little pots. “Dipping your finger in a jar just isn’t as sanitary as a tube applicator,” Linder says.
Sealing Your Lips
The key to avoiding cracked, flaky lips is to balm early and often. Wu advises wearing a thick layer of ointment to bed. “Many of us sleep with our mouths open, causing our lips to dry out.” Applying a treatment at bedtime means you’ll be less likely to wake up with chapping. One expert favorite: Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy.
Buy a few tubes at the drugstore and keep them within arm’s reach at all times — stash one in the car, near the bed, at your desk. That way you don’t have to hunt down a tube to reapply.
Grekin also suggests using a humidifier in your home, especially at night, to keep your skin’s moisture levels replenished. Drinking plenty of water will also help fight dehydration, another cause of chapped lips