With cooler temperatures, less moisture in the air and biting winds, our skin is exposed to harsh environmental conditions during the winter months. For many of us, these seasonal changes can cause dry skin.
When caring for our skin in winter, it’s important to adapt our skincare regimen and pay extra attention to the face, particularly the lips. This is because the lips are covered by a thin layer of stratum corneum1 (the outer layer of the skin), so they don’t tend to retain moisture as well as other parts of the body. Further to this, the vermillion/border of the lip or ‘dry’ part of the lip doesn’t contain any sweat or labial/salivary glands so the usual protective layer2 – which consists of sweat and body oils – isn’t there to help keep the skin hydrated and smooth.
Therefore, our lips are very susceptible to environmental and seasonal changes. In fact, many of us often find that our lips are the first part of the body to be affected by winter dehydration, which can lead to cracking, flaky or chapped lips.
The best lip balm
One way to boost hydration and to help keep our lips nourished and soft while they are exposed to the elements is to use lip balm. Wearing a lip balm that does not contain common irritants and has an SPF of 30 or more, before going outdoors, is a great way to help care for and help protect dry, chapped lips from the sun’s harmful UV rays3. Lip balms with SPF should continue to be used in winter to help protect your lips from the sun’s harmful UV rays, even if it isn’t sunny.
Lip balm with SPF
Try applying a fragrance free lip balm that contains sunscreen, regularly throughout the day. The SunSense Lip Balm SPF 50+ will help to moisturise and nourish the lips, while providing broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. The fragrance free ointment contains vitamin E and is suitable for all skin types. Better yet, it has an easy glide on application and is four hours water resistant.
Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear to further reduce risk. Frequent re-application is required.