It’s no secret that winter air can have a drying effect on your skin — and your lips are no exception. The skin on your lips is thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of your body, making it even more vulnerable to environmental changes. Cold, dry air can cause chapping, cracking and flaking on your precious pout, which is not only uncomfortable and painful, but can also make it difficult to wear lipstick or lip gloss if you want to do so.
Rest assured, there is a solution. To rehabilitate your dry winter lips, we recommend using an exfoliating lip scrub followed by a nourishing lip mask.
Shop this article: Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator, Andalou Naturals 1000 ROSES Perfecting Lip Sugar Scrub, Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Intense Hydration with Vitamin C
Lip scrubs are specially designed to target the dry, dead skin on your lips and gently buff it away. They are physical exfoliators, which means they physically remove the dead skin, rather than chemically removing it.
Many lip scrubs — also known as lip polishes — come in a tub, and you’ll use your finger or a small beauty spatula to apply a bit of product to your lips. Other products come in a tube, which you can swipe directly onto your lips. You can gently massage the product into your lips, which allows the scrub particles to slough away dead skin. You’ll be left with smoother skin, which looks and feels healthier and can better absorb lip balms or lipsticks.
It’s recommended to use sugar-based scrubs or other natural exfoliants, such as citrus. They are the most delicate on your lip skin. You’ll also want to choose a product that has moisturizing ingredients to help restore hydration.
A moisturizing lip balm is likely already a staple in your skin care lineup, but if your pout is becoming extra dry and chapped, it may be time to incorporate a more powerful lip mask into your routine.
Lip masks typically have more potent and longer-lasting ingredients, leading to an overall more moisturizing effect. They also tend to have a richer texture, which leads to prolonged contact on your skin and better effects.
Many lip masks are intended for overnight use. The skin repairs itself overnight, and wearing a nourishing lip mask while you slumber will aid and boost your skin’s natural healing process.
Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator
This gentle scrub uses brown sugar crystals, which buff away flaky skin while acting as natural humectants to prevent moisture loss. Shea butter and jojoba oil further nourish the skin.
Andalou Naturals 1000 ROSES Perfecting Lip Sugar Scrub
This vegan lip scrub formula is safe for the most sensitive lips. It’s formulated with rosehip oil to nourish lips and leave them feeling silky smooth, while organic aloe vera and berry extracts help protect and soothe irritated skin.
Infused with rose and mint, this sugar polish provides gentle, natural exfoliation. It’s also packed with moisturizing shea and mango butters to hydrate your lips and keep them feeling supple.
Burt's Bees Conditioning Honey Lip Scrub
Exfoliating honey crystals in this product gently slough away rough, dry skin from your pout. Meanwhile, a combination of castor oil, cocoa butter and beeswax work to condition and hydrate lips.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Intense Hydration with Vitamin C
A favorite of the BestReviews Testing Lab, this overnight mask delivers moisture and antioxidants with nourishing murumuru seed butter, shea butter and coconut oil. Vitamin C protects against external aggressors. The best part: It’s available in six delicious scents including vanilla, berry and pink lemonade.
Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Rescue Ointment
Uncomfortable lip dryness is no match for this intensely soothing ointment that’s packed with nourishing ingredients. Among them: sugar, which has a long-lasting hydrating effect; plant-based emollients, which replenish and retain moisture; and ceramide NP, which fortifies the skin barrier.
Kiehl's Since 1851 Buttermask Lip Treatment
Coconut oil and wild mango butter in this overnight treatment help deliver softness and nourishment to dry and flaky lips. It can be worn overnight. If you prefer daytime use, apply it and leave it on for 15 minutes, then gently massage or blot the product until it’s fully absorbed.
The non-sticky jelly texture of this lip mask feels great on your lips, while an infusion of Japanese peach and olive-derived squalane helps soften, smooth and restore plumpness to your pout.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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