Winter's icy chill ushers in more than just enchanting snowscapes and holiday cheer—it also brings a multitude of skin concerns, with dry, chapped lips at the forefront. Whether sipping hot cocoa or singing carols, no one wants to deal with the discomfort of dry lips or the visible flaking that comes with them. 

And though the issue may seem merely cosmetic, it's far from trivial. Dry and irritated lips can lead to cracking and fissures, opening the door to infection and other dermatological issues. The importance of addressing this problem extends far beyond mere aesthetic concerns and crosses into the realm of overall skin health. 

Consider this comprehensive guide your go-to resource for all things lip care this winter.

Why Do You Need Winter Lip Care?

Cold air isn't just chilly—it's devoid of moisture. This lack of humidity becomes even more pronounced when winter winds act as virtual sponges, siphoning away any remaining moisture from exposed skin. The dryness only intensifies when you go indoors.

Forced air systems in homes and offices further deprive your lips of moisture, making an arid situation even more parched. The situation becomes particularly critical for those with pre-existing dry skin conditions, which can become exacerbated during winter months.

Neglecting winter lip care doesn't just rob your lips of their softness, either. It can open the door to other, more serious problems. 

Dryness can lead to cracking, which in turn can pave the way for infections. It can also have a cascading effect on your makeup routine. Lip products like glosses and lipsticks neither adhere well nor look good on chapped lips. 

To help you make it through the plummeting temperatures and super-dry indoor environments that come with the winter season, let’s talk about some winter lip-care essentials to ensure your lips are ready for the holiday season.

What Are the Winter Essentials?

When it comes to taking care of your skin, you probably have a range of tactics. Both skincare products and lifestyle decisions can influence your complexion—and the same is true with your lips. 

Because of this, not all of our winter lip-care essentials are lip products per se, but they all contribute to keeping your lips hydrated and healthy year-round. 

1. A Humidifier

Indoor heating systems, while offering a respite from the cold, can aggravate the dryness in the air, compromising your skin’s moisture balance. By releasing water vapor into a room, a humidifier counteracts the dryness caused by heating systems, making it easier for your skin to retain essential moisture. 

If dry, chapped lips have been a recurring issue for you, consider investing in a humidifier that can cover your sleeping area adequately. Many versions today come with filters that remove impurities and can also diffuse aromatic oils for a multi-sensory skincare experience. 

2. A Lip Scrub or Exfoliant

Caring for your lips extends beyond just applying a moisturizing balm. One of the essential steps in a comprehensive lip care regimen is exfoliation. 

Think of it as a reset button for your lips, effectively removing the accumulation of dead skin cells that can give your lips that flaky, unkempt appearance. A quality lip scrub not only sweeps away these layers but also preps your lips for other nourishing treatments, allowing them to penetrate more deeply.

This step is particularly important in winter months, where a combination of cold air, indoor heat, and wind tends to be harsh on the lips. Periodic exfoliation with a quality lip scrub can act as a vital defense against dryness and chapping.

3. Lip Colors That Are Also Skincare

When it comes to choosing lip color, you’ll want to steer clear of most matte formulations and cosmetic products that aren’t designed to nourish and hydrate your lips while you wear them. This goes double when it comes to most plumping products, which tend to use irritants that can exacerbate dryness to achieve that plump pout.

The PLASMA Lip Compound is an effective and gentle alternative. Not only does it provide the buildable color you want, but it hydrates, nourishes, and encourages plumpness for real results without the drawbacks. In the same way that our Resurfacing Compound replaces your antioxidant, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, toner, and other brightening products in one simple step, this lip product merges all of these agents into a singular, transformative treatment. 

In no time at all, the lips can exhibit amplified volume, a visible reduction in fine lines, and a considerable boost in visual hydration. After just a single application, the treatment locks in moisture while enhancing the natural color, softness, and smoothness of your lips. What sets The PLASMA Lip Compound apart is its multidimensional approach—think of it as a Swiss Army knife in the realm of lip care. 

4. Use an Ultra-Hydrating Lip Treatment

In addition to The PLASMA Lip Compound, adding a lip mask for overnight use can help to ensure you wake up to fresh, full lips. It's a powerful complement to a hydrating lip balm and lip exfoliator, similar to how an occasional face mask can offer your skin the boost it needs to really glow.

Look for beauty products that prioritize lip repair. Many of the best lip balms feature emollient ingredients such as waxes, shea butter, or coconut oil, in addition to hydrating ingredients like aloe or hyaluronic acid. In a pinch, Vaseline can make a great lip sleeping mask or even double as a nourishing, low-shine lip gloss if you want to keep your lips hydrated on the go.

What Else Can You Do To Avoid Chapped Lips?

In addition to spending more time investing in the care of your lips, there are some simple adjustments you can make in the day-to-day to help prevent and address chapped or dry lips. 

For instance, licking your lips may provide momentary relief, but it actually dries them out even more. Equally detrimental is picking at chapped lip skin, which can lead to bleeding or infection.

Another trap to steer clear of is flavored chapsticks, lip butters, and lip oils containing irritants like peppermint, menthol, or cinnamon. As we mentioned, these ingredients are common in plumping products that don’t have our advanced formulations (like our double-patent pending SIREN Capsule Technology) and are best avoided.

Kiss Dry Lips Goodbye

There are many changes that come with the shifting seasons. When it comes to skin and lip care, it’s important to be aware of what these changes are so you can ensure you’re giving your body the nourishment it needs to be at its best, no matter the weather. 

With a few simple additions to your winter arsenal, you can look forward to soft, luscious lips no matter what winter throws at you. From simple lifestyle adjustments to prioritizing hydration both in products and in your environment, there are many ways to improve the look and feel of your lips. 

This pays dividends as we come into the holiday season—after all, if you want to show off a bold holiday lip, you’ll want to ensure you have a smooth, healthy canvas to start with. Just because the weather outside may be frightful doesn’t mean your lips have to be anything less than delightful.

With the right products, you can enjoy hydrated, luscious lips no matter what time of year it is. To learn more about beauty and skincare, check out our blog.

Sources:

7 Dermatologists' Tips For Healing Dry, Chapped Lips | American Academy of Dermatology

Chapped Lips | Cleveland Clinic

How to Prevent and Treat Dry, Chapped Lips | American Academy of Dermatology

Winter Seriously Dries Out Your Skin. Cold Air And Heating Systems Are To Blame. | National Library of Medicine