Think You Know Lip Care? Here’s What a Dermatologist Says
Pexels / Jonathan Goncalves
Your lips may have slightly different needs, but they require the same care and attention you give your skin.
Having healthy-looking lips can contribute to our overall appearance more than we give them credit for. Their color and texture can easily suggest anyone’s overall wellness, to a point that even a nonprofessional might notice the difference. But how do we care for our lips and keep them healthy, and in this hot, humid weather?
Vogue Philippines talks to licensed dermatologist Dr. Katarina Erika Luz about everything you need to know about proper lip care.
The biggest misconceptions about lip care
If you have dry lips, drink more water, or so goes the common refrain. But apparently, there’s a lot more to it. According to Dr. Luz, while dry lips can signal overall dehydration, that piece of advice is an oversimplification. For most people who are adequately hydrated, drinking extra water is not a cure-all for dry lips.
“Dry lips are often caused by environmental exposure, lip licking, irritation, or a weakened skin barrier,” she clarifies. “Thus, a protective lip balm or ointment is usually more effective.”
The second misconception is that licking your lips moisturizes them when it does the opposite. Licking your lips actually increases dryness by causing water to evaporate from the skin.
Habits to avoid
Licking, picking, or peeling flaky skin from the lips may seem harmless, but they can do more harm than good. These habits can impair the lip barrier and make it more prone to irritation and sensitivity.
What healthy lip care looks like
“Treat your lips just as you treat your skin!” Dr. Luz says. But don’t overcomplicate it. She advises keeping your lip care routine simple by using bland, fragrance-free moisturizing lip balms regularly.
And if SPF can’t be stressed enough for the skin, it is equally as important for the lips. Dr. Luz recommends using a lip product tagged with at least SPF 30 for daytime outdoor exposure.
Lip ingredients to look for
“Look for petrolatum, ceramides, shea butter, dimethicone, or other occlusive moisturizers that help seal in hydration,” she says.
If your lips are sensitive, she advises being more cautious with fragrance, flavoring, menthol, camphor, and cinnamon or peppermint oils, which can trigger irritation or even allergic contact dermatitis.
When to consult your dermatologist
Lip care alone can’t solve underlying issues. “If dryness, cracking, peeling, or swelling persist despite one to two weeks of gentle lip care or repeatedly recur, don’t hesitate to #AskYourDerma or consult with a board-certified dermatologist,” says Dr. Luz.
You should also be wary if persistent localized scaling, bleeding, ulceration, or changes occur, as these should be evaluated sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Katarina Erika Luz is a licensed dermatologist who specializes in caring for the skin, hair, and nails. She shares dermatological advice on common skin concerns and everyday care.
Apply a moisturizing lip balm regularly, especially when your lips feel dry or exposed to the elements. A fragrance-free formula can also help minimize potential irritation.
Staying hydrated is important, but drinking extra water may not fix dry lips if you’re already adequately hydrated. Dryness can also come from environmental exposure, lip licking, irritation, or a weakened skin barrier.
Look for moisturizing and occlusive ingredients like petrolatum, ceramides, shea butter, and dimethicone. If you have sensitive lips, it’s also worth being cautious with fragrance, flavoring, menthol, camphor, and certain essential oils.
If dryness, cracking, peeling, or swelling persists despite gentle lip care for one to two weeks, it may be time to consult a dermatologist. Persistent scaling, bleeding, ulceration, or changes in the lips should also be evaluated sooner.