‘I’m a Dermatologist, and This 3-Product Combo Is the Key To Treating Winter-Chapped Lips’

When your lips have fallen victim to the winter elements, no amount of lip balm is going to bring them back to life. While slicking on layer upon layer of your favorite hydrating stick may offer some momentary relief, in order to give them a truly effective long-term treatment, you’re going to need a three-product combination that addresses the issue at every level.

According to Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, your best bet is to combine your balm with an exfoliant and a mask. When your lips are chapped, the flaking you see is actually a build-up of dry skin cells. Using an exfoliant will help slough away those dead cells, which makes it easier for the balm you apply afterwards to fully penetrate your skin barrier and deliver its hydrating benefits. And a mask—meant to be slathered on before bed—will help lock in moisture and prevent it from evaporating out into the environment.

Below, she shares the three-product combo that you need to create the ultimate hydrating lip routine. Layer ’em on and say goodbye to pesky chapping for good.

1. Three Ships Piña Colada Lip Exfoliator 

This gentle scrub will slough off dead skin cells to leave lips feeling smooth. “Sugar gently exfoliates while shea butter and avocado oil support the skin barrier and lock in the moisture,” says Dr. King. Plus, its pineapple and coconut fragrance will make you feel like you’re sipping cocktails on a beach instead of trekking through the city in the snow.

Shop now: Three Ships Piña Colada Lip Exfoliator 

2. Henne Luxury V2 Lip Balm

There are certain key ingredients that dermatologists suggest looking for in a lip balm, and this one has them all. “It seals in moisture with a number of ingredients that have emollient and occlusive properties, including avocado oil, vitamin E, jojoba oil, cocoa seed butter, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax,” says Dr. King, calling it a “very moisturizing combination.”

Shop now: Henne Luxury V2 Lip Balm

3. Artifact Skin Co Honey Marshmallow Lip Masque

Looking for a lip product that does it all? This one’s got you covered. “Sugar gently exfoliates while honey and glycerin hydrate, vitamin E, and avocado oil support the skin barrier, and coconut oil and shea butter lock in the moisture,” says Dr. King. Apply it as the last step of your lip-care routine before you go to sleep, and when you wake up, dry, chapped lips will officially be yesterday’s problem.

Shop now: Artifact Skin Co Honey Marshmallow Lip Masque

If you’re dealing with dry skin on the rest of your complexion, too, check out the video below for a derm’s tips on how to deal. 

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