Dry lips are lips that feel tight, look matt and are rougher to the touch because they lack a delicate protective film, and the basis of care is a regular lip balm, calmer habits and a little slowing down during the day. If you are looking for where to start, take a look at the lip balms category, the vanilla Štramanda balm or the unscented Bubáčik children’s balm.
Why are lips so prone to drying out?
Lips have very thin skin and only a minimum of sebaceous glands that could moisten them themselves. That is why every change in the weather shows on them sooner than on the cheek. Cold, wind, dry air from heating and sun leave them tight and matt, especially from autumn to winter. A habit we all know plays a big part too: licking the lips. Saliva moistens them for a moment, but once it evaporates they are left even drier, and so the circle keeps turning. Breathing through the mouth at night, too little fluid during the day, or a scented or menthol product that irritates delicate skin can add to it. That is why it pays to notice when dry lips appear and to choose care that softens and protects them accordingly.
What to do when you have dry lips?
The easiest thing is to make a few small changes. Treat yourself to lip balm regularly, especially before going out into the cold, and apply a thin layer to clean lips according to the instructions on the label. Lip care needs gentleness, not force: do not bite off bits of skin or pull at flaking spots, as you will only irritate them. A humidifier in the bedroom and a glass of water on the bedside table help too. If your lips are dried out after hot food or coffee, wait a moment and only then top up the balm. In the evening, create a small ritual: have a shower, dry your face and gently apply balm to your lips. If they trouble you for longer, crack or hurt, consult a doctor and do not guess on your own.
- Apply balm before going out into the cold and before bed.
- Do not lick your lips, even if they feel dry.
- Do not pull off flaking skin, let the balm soften it.
- Drink enough water and humidify the air in your bedroom.
- Avoid products that make your lips sting or burn.
What is a good balm for dry lips made of?
A good balm for dry lips does not have to be complicated. The list of ingredients on the label says the most; it is ordered from the ingredient with the largest share. Look at whether the balm contains a wax, which forms a protective film on the lips, butters and oils that soften them, and perhaps hyaluronic acid for a feeling of hydration. It also matters whether the balm contains fragrance and whether any ingredient bothers you. Beeswax and lanolin are of animal origin, so if you do not want them, read the composition before buying. The table shows what each ingredient from Panakeia balms does in the balm, and with its help you can read an ingredient list calmly for other brands too.
| Ingredient in the list | What it does in the balm |
|---|---|
| Cera Alba (beeswax) | Forms a delicate protective film on the lips |
| Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter (cocoa and mango butter) | Soften and give a feeling of nourishment and softness |
| Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil (almond and macadamia oil) | Light oils that help the balm glide |
| Lanolin | A soft, emollient ingredient of animal origin |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | Hyaluronic acid for a feeling of hydrated lips |
Which Panakeia balm to choose?
According to the composition on the product pages, these balms are based on cocoa and mango butter, beeswax and lanolin, but they differ in extras and scent. The Štramanda balm adds rosehip extract (Rosa Canina Fruit Extract), macadamia and almond oil and a vanilla scent. The Báthoryčka balm has a delicate honey scent and contains argan oil (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil), dragon’s blood extract (Croton Lechleri Resin Extract) and Lithospermum Erythrorhizon root extract. The Bubáčik children’s balm is unscented and built on oat and almond oil, so you can try it yourself if you do not like scented products. Each is 5 ml, so it fits into a handbag as well as a pocket.
How to care for lips in the cold and during the day?
In the colder months keep the balm to hand, not at the back of a drawer. When you gather your things into your bag in the morning, put it in your coat pocket, where you will find it on the way. Apply a thin layer before going out, and when you get home give your lips a little peace: no licking, no pulling at skin. Winter is also a time when it pays to slow down and give yourself five extra minutes. If you also use a tinted balm, for example the Strawberry tinted balm, apply it to clean lips and only then choose a colour to suit your mood. For overall care of skin that is more sensitive in the cold, also read the article on dry skin.
When to consult a doctor and where to find studies?
Cosmetics serve to care for the look and feel of the lips, not to solve health problems, and a balm is no substitute for a professional examination. If your lips trouble you for longer, crack, bleed, hurt or other symptoms appear alongside, it is best to consult a doctor or pharmacist. If you are curious what scientists have written about lips and balms, open studies on dry lips and lip balms in the PubMed database. Scientific texts give you a picture of what has been studied, but they do not replace a conversation with a doctor. Lips are small, but they can change the whole expression of a face when you give them gentleness, time and a balm that brings you joy, and when you find a moment for them every day, you will feel more comfortable even in the colder months.
Did you know…
Lips have only a minimum of sebaceous glands, so they react to changes in the weather sooner than the rest of the face, and a balm helps them form a protective film.