Whether you plan to hit the slopes or just want smooth, soft lips, read on. Cheilitis—doctor-speak for dry, chapped lips—is common during the cold season, but it’s easy to treat.
Because the skin on your lips is thinner and more delicate than other areas of your body, it’s more vulnerable to the elements. But in dry conditions, moisture evaporates more quickly, leaving you with dehydrated, dry lips.
Top Chapped Lips Triggers
1. Very dry air. Come winter, humidity levels drop, inviting chapped lips. Try using a humidistat device to monitor moisture in your home. If you get a reading below 45, switch on a humidifier in your room at night to make the air—and your skin—dewier.
2. Certain medications. Some oral prescriptions for acne, high blood pressure, and nausea can cause dry, chapped lips.
3. Chronic lip licking. Enzymes in your saliva can irritate your skin over time and lead to cracked lips.
Top Soft Lips Solutions
1. Cover up! Lock in moisture and nix chapped lips with an unflavored, non-medicated lip balm. We love Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($5; at drugstores), which contains panthenol and lanolin. Heading outdoors? Choose one with sunblock, like ChapStick Moisturizer SPF 15 ($2; at drugstores).
2. Try a new toothpaste. Synthetic flavors can cause an allergic reaction that causes peeling. A natural paste, like Tom’s of Maine Maximum Strength Sensitive Toothpaste ($5; tomsofmaine.com) is a good alternative.
3. Avoid citrus. Until your dry, chapped lips are healed, don’t eat acidic fruits; the juice can sting and lead to more flaking.
MORE: 10 oral hygiene habits to break (and secrets to whiter teeth)
If That Doesn’t Work…
This two-step treatment is clinically shown to plump the appearance of lips while providing the same smoothing and hydrating benefits of HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator!
