Are your winter lips a bit extra chappy? Winter always makes those annoying flakes worse. The chilly weather outside; the heat and dry atmosphere inside…
Cold winter weather can raise a ruckus on our delicate lip skin. We did a deep dive for products and ingredients to help you master the art of lip flake management.
Timeless Cure All
Aquaphor is a budget choice of zillions of dermatologists and a timeless cure-all. It’s an all-purpose product that seals in moisture on lips, cuticles, and more. Apply at bedtime and wake up to hydrated lips, cuticles, and heels.
Best Hydrating Lipsticks
If you’re a lipstick person, there are dozens of choices packed with moisture-restoring ingredients to get you through flaky season. InStyle magazine has a curated list of Hydrating lipsticks from low-end to luxe. Stephanie is a fan of Sisley Phyto-Rouge as a special splurge which comes in a posh refillable case.
Best Lip Balms
In this category, we referenced NY Mag’s Stategist section for their tried and tested picks. There are many intriguing picks from super simple (Vaseline) to multi-purpose (Dior Lip Sugar Scrub). We were interested in a brand we haven’t heard of before—Jordan Samuels. The Strategist liked this one as it made with castor oil, shea butter, and palmitoyl tripeptide-1, a peptide that helps to smooth dry skin but it’s thinner than Vaseline and not so glossy.
For all you ingredient geeks, here’s a list of the most popular hydrating lip ingredients to look for:
Shea Butter: The Ultimate Moisturizer
Shea butter is a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, commonly found in Africa. It's known for its rich, creamy texture and deep moisturizing properties. Shea butter is packed with fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for healing dry or cracked lips. It helps lock in moisture, so your lips stay hydrated throughout the day. Its soothing properties also make it great for sensitive skin, providing relief from irritation or chapped lips.
Why it works: Shea butter is easily absorbed into the skin, leaving lips feeling soft, smooth, and nourished. Plus, its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce any redness or irritation caused by dryness.
Hyaluronic Acid: The Hydration Powerhouse
Hyaluronic acid has become a buzzword in the skincare world, and for good reason. This ingredient is naturally found in the body and has an incredible ability to attract and retain moisture. While it's most used in facial serums, hyaluronic acid also works wonders for lips. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an excellent ingredient for locking in hydration and plumping up your lips.
Why it works: Hyaluronic acid helps to draw moisture from the environment into your lips, keeping them looking full, smooth, and hydrated. It can also help smooth out fine lines, making lips appear more youthful.
Coconut Oil: A Natural Emollient
Coconut oil has become a favorite in many beauty routines for its versatility and moisturizing abilities. When it comes to lip care, coconut oil acts as an emollient that helps soften and hydrate the lips. It contains natural fatty acids and vitamin E, which help to repair damaged skin and create a protective barrier against the elements.
Why it works: Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe chapped lips. It also has antimicrobial properties, which can help keep your lips free from infections if you suffer from cracked skin.
Beeswax: The Natural Barrier
Beeswax is a popular ingredient in many lip balms because it forms a protective barrier over the skin, helping to lock in moisture and shield the lips from harsh environmental factors. This natural wax is rich in vitamin A and has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe dry and irritated skin. It also helps to retain moisture, preventing your lips from becoming dehydrated throughout the day.
Why it works: Beeswax helps maintain moisture levels by preventing water loss, which is especially beneficial for people who experience extremely dry lips during colder months. Its natural, non-comedogenic properties also make it a safe choice for most skin types.
Vitamin E: The Skin Healer
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is widely known for its skin-healing properties. When used in lip care products, it can help restore moisture and prevent further damage to dry, cracked lips. Vitamin E helps boost skin regeneration, reduces inflammation, and protects against free radical damage caused by environmental stressors.
Why it works: Vitamin E is great for treating chapped lips because it provides deep hydration and promotes skin repair. It can also help prevent scarring and keep your lips looking healthy.
Jojoba Oil: The Skin Softener
Jojoba oil is often compared to the natural oils produced by our skin, making it a perfect ingredient for lip care. It’s a light yet effective moisturizer that mimics the skin’s sebum, helping to restore the skin's natural moisture balance. Jojoba oil is rich in vitamins E and B, along with antioxidants and fatty acids, making it an excellent ingredient to soften and hydrate lips.
Why it works: Jojoba oil helps balance moisture levels in your lips without feeling greasy or heavy. It also has healing properties that can repair damaged skin, making it perfect for lips that need extra love.
Aloe Vera: The Cooling Healer
Aloe vera is a well-known soothing ingredient, famous for its ability to cool and heal skin. When applied to lips, aloe vera helps hydrate and repair cracked or chapped skin. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that nourish the skin and promote healing.
Why it works: Aloe vera is great for calming irritated lips and providing long-lasting hydration. It also acts as an antioxidant, helping protect the skin from free radical damage caused by environmental exposure.
Avocado Oil: Rich in Nutrients
Avocado oil is a highly nourishing ingredient, rich in vitamins A, D, and E, as well as fatty acids. It is deeply moisturizing and can help repair dry, damaged lips. Avocado oil has the ability to penetrate deep into the skin, providing lasting hydration and promoting a smooth texture.
Why it works: Avocado oil provides intense nourishment to dry lips, giving them a soft, plump look. It also helps restore elasticity to the skin, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines around the lips.
Rosehip Oil: The Skin Regenerator
Rosehip oil is known for its regenerative properties and high vitamin C content. This oil is packed with essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that help improve skin texture and restore moisture to dry lips. It also helps fade pigmentation, so it’s great for those with dark spots or discoloration on their lips.
Why it works: Rosehip oil is a great anti-aging ingredient that helps keep lips looking youthful and radiant. It also provides intense hydration and supports the regeneration of skin cells.
