Goodbye Dry Lips: Lip Care Routine and Tips for Dry Lips

Dry lips don’t just make lipstick application difficult. When the delicate skin in your pout cracks and flakes, it can also feel uncomfortable and sometimes painful. You may also be tempted to pick at or bite your lips, which can cause more damage and make them drier or more chapped.

Here’s a simple lip care routine for dry lips:

Step 1: Exfoliate your lips 

Get rid of the dry, flaking skin that accumulates on your lips. You can do this by making your own lip scrub or buying a pre-made one, which is more convenient. Many lip scrubs today contain nourishing and hydrating ingredients that can exfoliate dead cells and make your pout soft and smooth. 

Just make sure to be gentle when doing so. Exfoliating aggressively can result in tears in the skin, which can cause inflammation or increase your risk of infection. Overdoing it can also contribute to hyperpigmentation or darkening of the skin. Be sure not to exfoliate your lips more than twice a week. 

Step 2: Moisturize your pout

Use a lip balm with hydrating ingredients or those with humectants and occlusives. Humectants like hyaluronic acid draw moisture to the surface of the skin and keep it from drying quickly. Occlusives like petroleum jelly, meanwhile, create a protective layer on the skin’s surface to prevent loss of moisture.

It is also recommended to use a lip balm with SPF 30 or more, so you can protect your lips from the sun. If you have dry or chapped lips, avoid products with fragrance, citrus/mint flavors, camphor, eucalyptus, and other irritating ingredients. If you notice stinging or burning after applying a lip balm, you’re likely irritating your lips. 

Step 3: Use an overnight lip mask

Lip masks are ideal for hydrating dry lips and making them feel softer and plumper. They are usually formulated with ingredients that can help exfoliate, moisturize, and rejuvenate your lips. They are available in different formulations such as balms, gels, sheets, and rinse-off.

If you have dry skin, it is best to use an overnight formulation for your pout. This can add moisture to your lips, allowing you to wake up with soft, smooth, and supple lips in the morning. Be sure to read the labels and instructions and limit the use of lips masks with exfoliating ingredients/properties to one to two times a week. 

Other lip care tips

• Stop licking your lips – This habit can actually make your lips drier. Although saliva may seem to add moisture to your pout, it evaporates quickly. This can then make the dryness worse.
• Don’t pick at your lips – If you have dry or chapped lips, don’t peel, pick at, or bite them. Do take note that the skin on your lips is delicate and picking them only irritates your lip. This can also prolong or prevent healing. 
• Stay hydrated – Make your lips less prone to dryness by staying properly hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and limit your consumption of caffeinated and sugary beverages.
• Protect them from the sun – Your lips also need protection from harmful UV rays. Be sure to avoid or limit excessive sun exposure and protect your pout with the lip balm that has SPF while you’re outside. 
• Use a humidifier – This can help reduce the effects of dry lips and dry skin. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, helping the skin stay supple, especially during colder months. It is also ideal for those who breathe through their mouth while sleeping. 

Plumping up your pout

If you have thinning or aging lips, the use of dermal fillers can enhance the appearance of your pout. You can turn to these injectables if you want to plump up your lips, improve their symmetry, or have a more defined pout. They can also smooth lip lines, as well as heal and hydrate lips.

The dermal fillers used for lip enhancements or augmentation are made with hyaluronic acid or HA. HA is a naturally occurring substance in the body and present in the skin and connective tissues. It is responsible for retaining water to keep the tissues lubricated and the skin hydrated. Juvéderm is a popular brand of HA-based fillers. 

What results to expect: You can see improvements almost immediately, but keep in mind that it can take about two weeks for the fillers to fully blend and settle. There are also some temporary side effects like swelling and bruising, which will subside after a few days to a week. 

How long do they last: The effects of fillers are temporary, lasting between 6 and 12 months. The body gradually absorbs and metabolizes the fillers over time. Also, your metabolism can affect how long your fillers last. 

Can you reverse fillers: Yes. If you don’t like the results of your fillers, you can choose to have them reversed or dissolved. This is done by injecting an enzyme called hyaluronidase in the area of concern, which dissolves or breaks down the HA. This reverses the effects of fillers immediately. 

Keep in mind: Be sure to only see a qualified and skilled injector and have the treatment in a medical or clinic setting, not in regular spas or salons. Cutis has aesthetic doctors and board-certified physicians with years of experience in administering injectables like fillers and Botox. 

Check out the 7 things you need to know before doing fillers. 

Give your lips the care and attention they deserve. Build a lip care routine and use products that can keep your lips soft, smooth, and moisturized. Get in touch with Cutis Medical Laser Clinics if you’re considering lips fillers or book a consultation with our aesthetic doctor in Singapore to find out if they’re right for you.