Every winter, brittle weather rolls in and leaves lips parched and cracking. So many lip balms that make restoring claims just don't deliver—and here at Well+Good, we're, calling B.S. on hyped balms, and seeking derm-approved advice for picking out an option that will actually get the job done.
"Lips are primed to be chapped because they have a lower density of oil glands, are in daily contact with saliva that contains alpha-amylase (a digestive enzyme that can break down skin), and are always exposed to the elements so they take a beating from the sun, the cold weather, the wind, and the heat," explains Dendy Engelman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. To combat those effects, search for three ultra-hydrating main ingredients when you're scouring the web or shelf for lip-soother. Look for balms that form an occlusive seal on lips such as beeswax and the moisture magnet hyaluronic acid which locks on to water from within the skin.
"Lips are primed to be chapped because they have a lower density of oil glands, are in daily contact with saliva that contains alpha-amylase (a digestive enzyme that can break down skin), and are always exposed to the elements so it takes a beating from the sun, the cold weather, wind, heat."- Dendy Engelman, MD
Simply put: If your balms don't rock one of these, toss 'em...or save 'em for a day when you don't need heavy-duty conditioning. Where your stockpile of useless balms once lay, you can now make room for ones that actually stand up to the most desert-like of puckers. For an on-the-go item that you can keep at the ready whenever dryness strikes, Dr. Engelman recommends Skinceuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair ($38). "It is a soothing treatment that moisturizes immediately with urea and hyaluronic acid and helps fight free radicals long term with Vitamin E," she says. And for a thicker option that's ideal for wearing you can't do much better than that classic tube of gold, we know as Burt's Bees Lip Balm ($9 for 4). At last, no more flawless winter makeup looks hijacked by thirsty lips.
Google searches for dry skin moisturizers are up 450 percent—here are our editors' top picks. And if you're looking for a few homemade recipes to save your complexion this winter, check these out.
