Coften, especially in winter, to meet up with the chapped lips: cold, wind but also temperature changes are among the most frequent causes. The number one ally? Surely good old lip balmto always carry with you. But how to choose it so that it is truly effective as well as safe for the delicate skin of the lips? We asked the Dr. Benedetta Basso, AIDECO cosmetologist (Italian Association of Dermatology and Cosmetology).
«During the winter season, lips are particularly vulnerable to the coldest temperatures, to the wind and, especially in closed environments, to the low humidity, as well as to the changes in temperature between the outside and the heated internal areas: all these conditions which they compromise the barrier function of the labial skin provoking chapping, dehydration and the formation of annoying “peelings” – explains the expert. – It is essential to take measures preventative and protective that reduce trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL, Transepidermal Water Loss), physiologically higher in the lips especially in conditions of low humidity, and which create a protective layer against external agents. The advice is therefore to apply a balm or ointment That help keep lips soft and hydratedreducing the risk of chapping, dehydration and possible irritation.”
Lips: also pay attention to UV rays
However, respecting some good habits can also make the difference in protecting your lips.
«It’s important avoid moistening your lips often as the saliva it evaporates very quickly, leaving lips even drier and more vulnerable. Furthermore, the acidity of saliva can further irritate the delicate skin of the lips – explains Benedetta Basso again. – Another fundamental aspect to consider, even in winter, is theexposure to ultraviolet rays. Many tend to underestimate the risks of the sun in this season, but UV rays are also present in the cold months and can damage the skin of the lips. Use a lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) helps prevent damage related to sun exposure, reducing the risk of sunburn and premature aging.”
Lip balm, a valid ally
Always having a good lip balm with you can therefore help to avoid finding yourself with dry and chapped lips.
“The lip balm, such as balm or ointment, it is effective for keeping lips hydrated and protected – confirms the AIDECO cosmetologist. – These types of products contain essential ingredients like waxes, butters, oils, and vitamins (like vitamin E) that they carry out a protective function as well as hydrating and soothing. One of the main functions of lip balm is to act with a “barrier” effect thus reducing dehydration and improving it elasticity and softness. It is very important, especially in winter to apply a lip balm before lipstickespecially if matte, to prevent the lips from drying out during the day and the hangnails from being accentuated by lipstick.”
Lip balm: how to choose it
On the market, in the supermarket and in the pharmacy, there are many types of lip balm. So how to orient yourself in chosen to be sure of an ‘effective’ product but also safe for the skin?
«Chapstick, like all cosmetics, meets the strict requirements, also in terms of safety, set out in the Regulation on cosmetic products 1223/2009 – further specifies Benedetta Basso. – A bA lip balm with emollient and protective action for the lips has, within its formulation, functional ingredients, including emollients, as shea butter, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, ingredients with barrier effecthow beeswax, carnauba wax, lanolinagents humectants and hydrators (glycerin and hyaluronic acidetc.) or again, skin barrier repairers such as panthenol and squalane. It is also important, as we said, that has a sun protection factor (SPF) to prevent damage from ultraviolet rays.”
The best lip balm for dry lips
What are the most suitable formulations in winter?
«For the winter, they are recommended very rich formulations that are easy to applyso as not to also create mechanical stress on the lips. So, conditioners based on beeswax, shea butter, lanolin with functional active ingredients such as vitamin E and panthenol which help prevent chapping or cracking allantoin and bisabolol, which have soothing and regenerating properties» – suggests the expert.
Cold, wind and temperature changes can cause annoying chapping on the lips (Getty Images)
Chapped lips: what remedies to adopt
And if you find yourself with chapped lips at the end of the day, which ones remedies to adopt?
«If your lips are already chapped, it is recommended apply balms containing panthenol, vitamin E and ceramides to favor the cell regeneration process. A good remedy is also the one represented by specific masks for lips (creams to be applied directly to the lips with the fingers or with the help of a support, the so-calledpatches” ready to use, shaped and to be applied directly to the lips) or again, perform nourishing compresses before going to sleep so that they can act during the night. With a constant routine, lips can remain soft and hydrated even in the coldest months.”
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED