What lipstick to use when lips are dry ?
In summer and winter, lips are one of the most exposed parts of the face to external aggressions. The sun, the water, the wind, but also the cold, can dry them out and make them painful and unsightly. Vital for the action of nourishment, communication, but also an important vector of charm, the lips must benefit from a very special attention. In this article you will find everything you need to know about dry and damaged lips, how to fight against this drying, but also what lipstick to use when you have dry lips.
Why do we sometimes have dry and damaged lips?
If you are wondering why we sometimes have dry and damaged lips, know that the mucous membrane and thin skin of the mouth are very fragile. The epidermis is, in this part of the face, 5 times thinner than elsewhere! The lips have very little corneal layer and are very permeable. In addition, they form with the nose the first areas subject to external aggression, whether it is the climate (wind, cold, sun, etc.) or the food (hot dishes, cold, spicy, acids, etc.).
And when our lips start to get irritated, we often make the fatal mistake that only makes the situation worse. One gives in to the reflex of passing one’s tongue over one’s lips in order to moisten them and to calm the tension. Yet the relief is only short-lived. Saliva, which contains enzymes that dehydrate tissues, further dries up the damaged mouth.
As you can see, there are many reasons why our lips become dry and damaged:
- The cold, dry air and wind cause cracks.
- Heat, sun and dryness damage lips.
- Swimming pool chlorine or salty seawater attacks the lip mucosa.
- Some medications or skin treatments may weaken the oral epidermis.
- Some cosmetic products may also be responsible for dry lips.
- Finally, age and wear and tear make our lips more fragile because collagen production is less common and the volume of the mouth decreases.
It is therefore essential to take careful care of our lips to prevent dryness and unpleasant tightness.
How do I fight dry lips?
Fighting dry lips is important because eventually, chapped lips can crack and sometimes even bleed. But how do we do that? To do this, several additional actions must be implemented:
- Focus on a varied, healthy and balanced diet.
- Consume enough water each day to moisturize the skin from the inside.
- Consume vitamin A and vitamin B: either in the form of foods (green vegetables, tomatoes, carrots, cereals, fruits, etc.) or in the form of dietary supplements.
- Avoid smoking which promotes dry lips and the formation of fine lines.
- Use quality cosmetics and makeup products.
- Do not skip make-up removal before going to bed from the center of the lip to the outer corner.
- Choose the right make-up remover for your skin type.
- Avoid licking or chewing lips too often to avoid weakening them.
- Opt for lip care with sufficient SPF and avoid long sun exposure.
- Scrub regularly with a small-grain scrub (once or twice a week). This will eliminate dead skin and make it easier for your skin to penetrate.
- Apply a special lip mask once a week before bedtime. Choose a nourishing product enriched with moisturizing active ingredients. You can alternate with an anti-aging treatment to leave overnight.
How do I make up dry lips?
To apply makeup to dry lips or lips that tend to dry out, you should avoid certain makeup products such as matte, glitter or pearly lipsticks. It is also necessary to turn to products less tenacious than long-lasting lip lacquers which, by guaranteeing the hold and high pigmentation, would risk further weakening already sensitive lips.
You’ll be surprised to learn that some shades dry out your lips more than others. Thus, dark and highly pigmented shades such as brown, burgundy or purple create a chemical reaction on the lips. We therefore advise you to add moisturizing active ingredients with a rather creamy texture.
Go for a lipstick
You can also bet on colored lip glosses or balms that will gently make up your lips. Of course, there is no question of making her lips dry as they are. It will be necessary above all to give them the care that suits them. Without it, the result will not be what you hope for. Lipstick marks wrinkles and fine lines, but also cracks and dry skin.
So, before applying makeup to the lips exfoliate, moisturize and possibly apply a base for the lips that allows to smooth the imperfections while moisturizing and allowing a better hold to your lip makeup. Not amazing?
As a final tip, we would like to draw your attention to avoiding the lip contour pencil when your mouth is weakened. Indeed, the dry texture of lip pencils (like that of matte lipsticks) reveals all the defects of your damaged lips.
You now know what lipstick to use when you have dry lips, but also how to care for them upstream. Feel free to always carry a small stick of moisturizing balm (shea butter or argan oil for example), and apply several times during the day. Finally, if you are prone to frequent dry and damaged lips, pay special attention to the choice of your cosmetics by relying on the know-how of the major brands.
