How To Prevent Dry, Chapped Lips This Winter Season

With the heat pumping and temperature nosediving, my poor lips are taking a beating. I cannot stand the feeling of dry, chapped lips so I have tried just about every product on the market to keep them soft and protected during the winter months. Here are some tried and true methods and products to keep your lips more on the “beautiful, kissable” side, and less on the “sad, dry, lizard lips” side.

1. Number #1: drink water! It’s your best friend! Aim for as much as your can drink in a day. I drink two litres a day (half a gallon for my US buddies). Don’t like the taste of water because it’s too boring? Add some berries, or lemon and cucumber.

2. Try some natural moisturizers before reaching for Chapstick. Shea butter and almond and coconut oils work wonders on lips and feel nice and smooth as opposed to waxy.

3. Stop mouth breathing! Breathing through your mouth dries out your poor lippies, so try to breath through your nose. Can’t breathe through your nose? Visit your doctor to pinpoint why.

4. During the winter, cover your mouth with a scarf. This will prevent the wind from sapping your lips from moisture. Added benefit? A scarf will warm up the air before you inhale, thus making it a little easier on your lungs (great tip for winter runners too).

5. Are you using an acne-fighting cleanser? Most contain drying ingredients that work for your facial skin, but really take a toll on lips. Try a light coat of Vaseline on your lips before washing your face to prevent dryness.

6. Stop licking your lips. I repeat: “STOP LICKING YOUR LIPS!” It’s a surefire way to sap your lips of moisture leading to cracks and bleeding. Additionally, saliva contains acids that break down food which aren’t so great for lips. Get a great lip balm instead and leave the lip licking to LL Cool J instead.

7. If your lips are peeling, do not pick at them. Exfoliate your lips gently with a soothing lip exfoliant (some of my favourites are listed below), or make your own using brown sugar and some olive oil.

8. Sorry – but if your lips are chapped, don’t use matte lipsticks. Instead, pick really hydrating and moisturizing lipsticks or balmy lip tints (a Clarins favourite of mine) is below. Want some extra moisture? Put on a lip conditioner before.

9. Avoid salty foods. Salt is totally dehydrating. Sigh – so sad. See ya, French fries!

10. Some people are sensitive to fragrance. Your favourite scented lip balm or lipstick may be the dry lip culprit. Try switching to a hypoallergenic option.

Some of my favourite hydrating lip products are listed below:

By Terry Baume de Rose

This has been one of my favourite lip balms for years. I discovered it while shopping in Covent Garden in London and I couldn’t have found it at a better time. My lips were parched and the sales person at Space NK Apothecary gave me a sample. I went back the next day and bought it.

While pricey, it’s hugely effective. And frankly, the price is worth it because it doubles as a cuticle cream.

It’s thick, but not greasy, and stays put for hours. It smells lovely too – picture a field of delicate roses. On top of that, it has a pale, pinky opalescence that is highly flattering on all skin tones.

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

My gorgeous sister-in-law is never caught without these pretty lip tints. During my last trip to Toronto, I stayed with her and noticed that she had them in her coat pockets, purse, each of her bathrooms, coffee table, car…you name it. She said that they were the best lip products she had ever used, and she takes her beauty seriously so when she recommends or loves something, I take note. As soon as I got back to Ottawa, I picked up two of them – the Plum Shimmer and the HydraQuench Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm. I am loving them! Seriously, these will be mentioned in my November Favourites post.

The HydraQuench has a pale rosy tint, but goes on clear, and the Plum Shimmer is a beautiful dark, flattering pink. Both are creamy and do not feel waxy at all thanks to both containing shea butter (ultra hydrating), liquorice (soothing anti-inflammatory) and wild mango.

Good ol’ Aquaphor Skin Protectant Ointment

I have been using this for years as a lip balm. Made specifically for dry, cracked or irritated skin, I stumbled upon its great lip softening qualities by accident. One night, while fumbling around in the dark for my lip balm in my nightstand, I grabbed the Aquaphor by accident. I put it on and fell asleep. The next morning, my lips were baby soft. I was amazed to see that I had grabbed the Aquaphor by accident – I guess I was too tired to know the difference. Well, that was a great mistake.

When my lips are super dry, this stuff is the all-star I reach for.

Got any lip care superstars that you care to share? Please drop me a line in the comments and let me know! I’m always on the hunt for more great products!