When you have chapped lips, 5 things not to do

BEAUTY- It's officially chapped lip season. And as much to tell you that we know what it is.

One of the worst side effects of the cold is ending up with dry, cracked and sore lips. Sometimes it feels like putting on layers and layers of lip balm with no results.

Some even think the balm makes the problem worse. False, according to specialists, as long as it contains the right ingredients (but we will come back to this).

However, certain things can make chapping worse. If you are one of those people who find it difficult to keep their pretty lips moisturized, follow the tips below:

1. Stop licking your lips

You probably already know this but – just to put the dots on the 'i's – licking your lips when they are already chapped does not help matters, quite the contrary.

Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, "when saliva dries and evaporates, it dries out the skin," says Dr. Claire Chang, a board-certified cosmetologist and dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology. , At New York.

Licking lips that are already dry too often is "short-lived relief and sure pain," as Dr. Benjamin Barankin, director of the Toronto Dermatology Center, puts it.

Dr Rachel Nazarian, of the Schweiger Dermatology Group, New York, adds: "Our saliva contains enzymes that help digestion. Licking your lips deposits these same enzymes there, which cracks the skin of your lips and make them dry and chapped."

Repeatedly licking your lips can lead you into a vicious circle, and even cause "licking dermatitis," which Dr. Chang describes as "an irritant contact dermatitis around the lips that is characterized by redness and dryness of the skin around the mouth.

"The best way to treat lip dryness is to avoid licking and to regularly apply non-scented emollient products to provide external hydration," says the specialist.

2. Do not rinse your lips with hot water

We know that very hot water is not ideal for moisturizing the skin. So it makes sense that the same goes for dry lips. It might even make things worse.

"Even though hot water is soothing in the short term, it can dry out lips as it evaporates," says Dr. Chang.

Dr. Barankin adds that hot water strips away natural oils that help lips stay hydrated. To keep them from drying out, Dr. Nazarian recommends using warm water and mild cleansers to wash your face, "to spare your skin, especially in the dry, cold months." This also goes for the time spent in the shower, when the hot water moistens your lips.

3. Do not expose yourself to the sun

"Exposure to the sun can aggravate dry lips. It is therefore important to wear anti-UV lip balm", reminds Dr. Chang.

4. Do not use scented balms

Our three dermatologists are of the opinion that the fragrances frequently added to lip balms tend to irritate the skin and increase the risk of chapping.

Dr. Nazarian therefore recommends avoiding them. She suggests using lanolin or beeswax lip balm without dyes or fragrances to prevent dehydration of the lips. Vaseline, which contains petrolatum, is also effective.

5. Avoid irritating ingredients

Not all lip balms are created equal.

"I recommend avoiding excessive use of balms containing salicylic acid, an exfoliant that removes dead skin," says Dr. Chang. "Too frequent use can cause irritation and dry out the lips even more."

Other ingredients are contraindicated, such as menthol or peppermint, which are often used in the composition of lip balms for their soothing effect. The specialist also advises avoiding cinnamic aldehyde, the chemical compound that gives cinnamon its taste, as it can irritate sensitive skin.

So how do you moisturize your lips properly?

To begin with, according to our three dermatologists, you should know that you can never put on too much lip balm, as long as the chosen product contains the right ingredients.

Dr. Nazarian suggests selecting a balm that contains moisturizers (like ceramides or hyaluronic acid) combined with moisture-retaining ingredients (like lanolin, petrolatum, or wax). bee). It is "the ideal recipe for soft and well hydrated lips".

Dr. Barankin recommends using an unscented balm twice a day and not licking or biting your lips. If you want to rehydrate them, dab them with a cloth soaked in warm water, then apply a moisture-retaining balm.

According to Dr. Chang, if you use a balm without irritating ingredients to moisturize your lips, “the more you put on, the better”. It is also advisable to drink more water and use a humidifier at home to maintain some humidity in the air during the cold and dry winter months.

Important:

If you take good care of your lips but continue to suffer from irritation and dry lips, it may be a sign of another health problem.

"Dry, chapped lips are sometimes a sign of vitamin deficiencies, inflammatory bowel disease, yeast infection, contact dermatitis, sunburn, a badly fixed denture, or the side effect of a drug", warns the specialist. "It's important to address the potential underlying health issues causing this dry lip."

If you're worried about this, the best thing to do is see a dermatologist.

This article, published on the American HuffPost, was translated by Iris Le Guinio for Fast ForWord.

Also see on The HuffPost: