Preparation
No matter the time of year, one beauty essential never rotates out of our routines: lip balm. While the environment, especially the cold, dry weather we frequently experience during winter, can be the driving cause of chapped lips—making us ramp up our chapstick use—this ailment might be a battle you fight year round. If so, don’t fret: Lip flaking and peeling is actually a normal bodily reaction. “The lip and vermillion border lack their own sweat or oil glands, also known as sebaceous glands (an exception are Fordyce spots, which are ectopic sweat glands located on the lip and oral mucosa),” Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City says. “Given that they cannot produce their own protective lipids and oils, the lips are prone to becoming dry and chapped.”
Luckily, you can take matters into your own hands to heal them. For starters, Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist, says to avoid over-exfoliating, picking or peeling, and licking (the saliva actually intensifies the dehydration). Start by upping your water intake and using a humidifier—and then work in a balm or salve that will lock in moisture. Ahead, several expert-approved treatments to revive and protect dried-out lips.
