The cold sets in, and the first cracks are already making themselves felt… Good news: it is possible to avoid this discomfort, especially by renouncing a gesture that you probably do without thinking about it. Advice from an expert to understand everything.
Dryness, chapping, cracks… your lips are particularly sensitive to variations in weather. For what ? The skin covering them is much thinner than the rest of your face. More specifically, it lacks hair follicles as well as sweat and sebaceous glands, which play an essential role in natural hydration. Result: your lips cannot stay hydrated naturally and become prone to cracking when exposed to cold, dry air.
That’s not all: did you know that your lips don’t produce melanin? This means that they do not tan and are therefore less protected against UV rays. To take care of it on a daily basis, “it is essential to protect them with a moisturizing and protective lip balm, rich in nourishing agents such as shea butter, beeswax, vegetable oils and vitamins. I also add that sun protection is essential ,” explains Aglae Lorand-Machard, Deputy Scientific & Technical Director of the ADAM-ASEPTA-SED Laboratories.
Unfortunately, using a lip stick is not always enough if you really want to avoid this unpleasant phenomenon. Our expert shares four other essential actions to adopt — or ban. First, she emphasizes the importance of staying well hydrated: it is recommended to drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of water per day (excluding coffee, tea or soda). Then, from time to time, perform a gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin and optimize the effectiveness of your lip balm. Before going out, don’t forget to wear a scarf: this accessory will protect your mouth from the cold. Finally, the action to absolutely ban: wetting your lips with saliva. While this reflex may give a sensation of temporary hydration, it actually aggravates dryness and accentuates chapping.
Easy to say, but not always easy to do. To help you give up this bad habit, here is some simple advice: as soon as you feel the urge to moisten your lips, drink a glass of water. This way, you hydrate yourself while occupying your mouth — two beneficial actions in one!
