**The key takeaway:** The quality of your lip balm can significantly impact the health and appearance of your lips. **Here’s why:**

* **Ingredients:** Lip balms are often formulated with a blend of ingredients, each with its own function. Some ingredients are beneficial, while others can be detrimental.

## The Dangers of “Clean” Cosmetics

The rise of the “clean” beauty movement has brought to the forefront the increasing awareness of harmful ingredients in conventional cosmetics. However, this doesn’t mean that all “clean” products are safe. The concern stems from the fact that the definition of “clean” is not strictly regulated. Consequently, brands can use misleading marketing tactics and make vague claims without providing concrete evidence.

The summary mentions three key aspects of choosing a lip balm:

1. **Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and natural:** These characteristics are important for people with sensitive skin and allergies. 2. **The weather:** Weather conditions can significantly impact lip health. 3. **Lip balm effectiveness:** The effectiveness of lip balms can vary depending on their ingredients and formulations.

How can I prevent chapped lips? Although several causes of dry lips – such as certain illnesses, medications and genetics – aren’t a quick fix, the good news is most other causes are entirely preventable. While lip-care products are crucial, simple lifestyle changes will also help combat chapping – drinking plenty of water may seem obvious but adequate hydration is key to preventing dry skin in the first instance. If you live in a place with a dry climate, Xiao says you might want to consider investing in a humidifier for the home, particularly if you breathe through your mouth at night.

* **The Importance of Healing:** Skin is a vital organ, and its healing process is crucial for maintaining overall health. When skin is injured, it needs time to repair itself. This process involves several stages, including inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. * **Interfering with Healing:** Picking at peeling skin disrupts this delicate process. It can cause further damage to the skin, leading to bleeding, infection, and scarring.

How can I treat chapped lips? If you have chronically dry or chapped lips, the first step in your treatment plan should be investing in an exfoliating product that removes the superficial dead cells. This dead skin can prevent parched lips from healing properly as you are more likely to pick and peel, increasing the likelihood of sores and prolonging recovery. Exfoliating lip products are typically physical exfoliants, which slough off dead skin using gritty, granular ingredients; an example is that scrub you use to remove stubborn fake tan from your ankles. A common addition to these lip exfoliants is sugar: its coarse texture helps buff away dry patches and soften the lips.

This is because chemical exfoliants work by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, allowing them to be sloughed off. This process is similar to how a gentle scrub works, but with a more controlled and targeted approach. Unlike physical scrubs, which can be abrasive and cause irritation, chemical exfoliants are gentler and less likely to damage the skin barrier.

Once you’ve removed the layer of dead skin, you can go in with a thick, emollient product to seal in moisture: Xiao recommends a formula that contains either shea butter, which is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, or beeswax, a natural occlusive that will lock in hydration without irritation. This protective layer can be topped up throughout the day but, most importantly, it should be applied at night as the final step in your skincare routine. “I recommend regular use of lip balms to help prevent dry and chapped lips. Good lip balms typically include ingredients like paraffin, glycerine, oils and ceramides,” Lim adds.

* Dry skin can be a sign of a medical condition. * Persistent dry skin can be a sign of a medical condition. * See a dermatologist if dry skin persists for more than a few weeks. * SPF is important for skin health. **Detailed Text:**

Dry skin, while a common occurrence, can sometimes signal underlying medical conditions.

The AAD recommends applying the product at least every two hours while outdoors; in New Zealand’s climate, application should be even more regular. “Sun protection is a critically important component of lip balm. We often have to remove skin cancers from the lip due to the harsh New Zealand sun,” Lim says. “In Auckland, DNA damage can develop within minutes in summer and about one to two hours in winter. Studies have shown that very high SPF sunscreens provide better protection, so aim for products labelled as SPF 50+.” Read: The Six Best Sunscreens For Face, Body & Lips What products could I use?

**Heavy-duty lip balms** are designed to address specific lip concerns, such as dryness, chapping, and sensitivity. They often contain potent ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides. These ingredients work by hydrating the lips, strengthening the skin barrier, and reducing inflammation.

Lana Andelane is an Auckland-based multimedia journalist covering lifestyle and entertainment stories. She joined the Herald in 2024 and enjoys anything related to pop culture, fashion, beauty or music.