Our skin is confronted with multiple attacks on a daily basis. And if you tend to have dry lips, the cold, smoking, lack of hydration but also pollution tend to amplify the phenomenon. The impact is in fact particularly visible and uncomfortable because the skin is sensitive and thin on this part of the face, five times more than on the rest of the body. Hence the appearance of small fine lines, in which the lipstick will lodge.
Several actions allow you to take care of it on a daily basis, including exfoliation. If they tend to be chapped and/or dry, you can try the ‘lip basting’ trend or never part with your lip balm (be careful not to apply it too often). If you are in the latter case, avoid perfume, which could make your lips even drier.
If you are looking for a 100% natural alternative, this could be found in your kitchen. It’s about ghee, clarified butterwidely used in Indian cuisine, and which can be made at home with unsalted butter.
Moisturizing, antioxidant: the many benefits of clarified butter for dry lips
According to Dr Kiran Mian, dermatologist interviewed by the magazine Bustle, the composition of ghee is particularly interesting for the skin. It contains linoleic, palmitic and stearic fatty acids, which strengthen the skin’s hydrolipid barrier and linoleic acid has anti-inflammatory properties, as the doctor explains. “Ghee also contains antioxidants and vitamins A, E and K, all of which contribute to skin health“, specifies Dr Mian.
“Think of the epidermis as a brick wall, with lipids serving as the glue, which helps retain moisture and prevent irritants like dust, bacteria, and pollution from penetrating the skin“, image the dermatologist.
You can therefore use this product and apply it to your lips in the evening at bedtime (be careful, not in the sun), or look for cosmetic products that include it in their composition.
If you are not convinced about the idea of putting butter on your mouth, you can nevertheless adopt small reflexes against chapped lips: drink enough water, remember to always protect your mouth from the sun, moisturize it in the evening at bedtime or even avoid passing your tongue over it. Although giving the sensation of immediate relief, this gesture is in reality counterproductive and will amplify the phenomenon.
Lip balm, creams: which products to choose?
If you want to turn to a specific product for dry lips, Dr. Dima Haidar, dermatologist, has shared with us his favorite treatments. She distinguishes three types, depending on the degree of dryness:
- Sometimes a lip stick might be enough. In this case, Dr. Haidar recommends choosing it “as neutral as possible and always fragrance free” ;
- If there is a need for additional hydration, she advises turning to an ointment texture;
- If the area around the lips is dry, a healing cream can be used (but not for the mucous membrane).
And if you want to add a little volume to your lips, without going through the injection box, a dermatologist shared a simple tip on TikTok: using lip care products containing both hyaluronic acid and peptides. It’s necessary “use it three times a day for four weeks to see a significant improvement in the volume and hydration of your lips“.
Read also :
⋙ Dry lips: this product should not be applied so as not to aggravate the phenomenon according to a dermatologist
⋙ Dry hands: the surprising area not to forget to moisturize according to this dermatologist
⋙ Lipstick: here is the color that suits everyone, according to an expert