Brace yourself, because winter is coming. And with it also comes dry and chapped lips. That is especially painful for all of us lipstick lovers out there because we know just how bad lipstick looks when applied on top of chapped lips. However, there are ways to prevent dry lips and make your lips soft and smooth, even in the dead of winter.

If you too are struggling with dry lips during the colder months, then this article is just for you. Here are some of my favorite tips that I have learned over the years. 

Stay hydrated 

I know, you are sick of reading that. But you have to understand that hydration comes from within. Moisturizer and lip balm alone won’t be enough, you have to make sure that you are also drinking enough water. I have always been bad with my liquid intake, however, one thing I enjoy drinking during the winter months is hot lemon and ginger water. It’s comforting, and delicious, and will also help you stay on top of your hydration. 

Use lip sleeping masks 

For most people, lip balm alone won’t be enough during the winter season. So if you want to add some extra nourishment to your dry lips, try adding a lip mask to your nighttime skincare routine. Lip masks are richer than regular lip balms, and they will hydrate your lips during the night. Then in the morning, your lips will be ready for lipstick. 

Don’t lick, bite, or brush your lips 

Licking your lips while being out in cold and windy weather conditions is a recipe for disaster. This will further promote trans epidermal water loss, causing your lips to become even dryer. In addition to that, the enzymes that are in our saliva further damage the skin on our lips. If you then go a step further and start biting, brushing, or picking on your lips, you are just asking for a complete lip catastrophe. Put on a nice and thick layer of lip balm before you leave the house, and cover your lips additionally with a scarf. This will keep your skin intact.

Use lip balms with sun protection 

Too many people believe that sunscreen is something we only have to use during the summer. That couldn’t be further from the truth! We have to protect our skin from UVA and UVB rays 365 days a year. And you shouldn’t forget that the skin that covers our lips is still skin. In fact, lips are even more sensitive to the sun because the skin that covers them is so thin. So make sure you always use lip balms that contain an SPF of at least 30 when you leave the house. 

Look out for nourishing ingredients 

When choosing a winter lip balm, look for something with nourishing and occlusive ingredients such as shea butter, petrolatum, almond oil, or coconut oil. On the other hand, stay away from ingredients such as camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol. They will only further irritate and damage your lips.

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