When your lips are dry, they can flake, peel, crack and bleed, making them both painful and unattractive. Lips are particularly susceptible to dryness because they’re constantly exposed and they don’t have glands that produce sebum. If you spend a lot of time outside, the sun and other harsh conditions can quickly dehydrate your lips, causing them to become chapped. To keep them supple and moist, you need to apply the right lip balms and emollients on a consistent basis. Plus you need to protect lips from UV exposure. Below, I’ll describe how to care for your lips, especially when they’re perpetually chapped and dry.
What Does “Medicated” Mean?
Lip balms often carry a label that describes them as “medicated.” While it’s tempting to purchase a lip balm that carries that label, it’s important to note that it’s an advertising euphemism that usually means very little. In fact, many “medicated” lip balms contain ingredients such as camphor and menthol that actually dry and irritate your lips, so repeated use won’t eliminate chronic dryness. Unfortunately, many consumers often buy and use these balms regularly and are then frustrated when their lips seem perpetually dry.
Lip Balms And Emollients
There are several effective emollients that can be used to moisturize your lips and prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Ingredients including various oils, cocoa butter and shea butter can help. And good sun filters such as titanium dioxide, Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL are excellent for lips because they protect from UVA and UVB ray damage due to sun exposure.
Excellent solutions include:
Anthelios XL Lip Stick SPF 50+ -a stick balm formulated with shea butter, cocoa butter, oils and Mexoryl XL plus titanium dioxide
Antherpos XL SPF 50 – a soothing lip cream rich in emollients and effective UVA/UVB protection with Mexoryl
Rosebud Lip Balms – a cult favorite in several yummy flavors
La Roche Posay Nutritic Lips – very dry lips will love this balm loaded with emolliating agents including ceramides, shea butter and various oils
Applying Lip Balms Consistently
While it’s important to use an effective emollient or lip balm, it is just as important to apply it generously and regularly throughout the day. Otherwise, it can wear off, exposing your lips to dryness and dehydration. Your lips are one of the most exposed and vulnerable areas of your body. With continual use of a good balm that contains the right ingredients, you can be confident that your lips are protected from harsh weather conditions and the sun’s UV rays.
