How to Maintain Plump, Hydrated Lips in Winter – Preventing Cracking, Drying and Flaking in The Australian Cold

In southern Australia, the cold comes on quick and often without warning. With shorter days and dry, chilly winds – skin quickly becomes dried out and tight. We can combat most of this with thick body lotions and soothing face creams – but what product is best for lip care? It’s important to note – a lot of lip balm can actually make us feel dryer, as they are not replacing the natural lipids that have been lost. 

When our lips dry and the natural oils are wiped away, the outer layer of skin quickly loses moisture. When this natural lipid barrier is compromised, we quickly experience tightening, breaking of skin and this can lead to redness and bleeding. What makes this worse is our natural saliva, which contains digestive enzymes, breaking down further protection for our lips. It’s natural when our lips are dry to want to lick them to moisten them, but this can quickly worsen the situation! 

So what can we do quickly to prevent our lips from becoming damaged? It’s important to stay hydrated in winter – and ensure we are regularly drinking water. In extreme cold, its important to consider a cover for your mouth (such as a mask or scarf) to prevent environmental damage and avoid licking or picking of the lips.  

If you are suffering from very dry, chapped lips – there is a 3-step rehabilitation program you can undertake to provide your best, plump lips throughout the winter chill! 

Step 1: Exfoliation! 

When our lips have been dried out too long, they won’t recover quickly with just topical treatment. If they feel rough to touch and do not take up product well, it’s time to introduce yourself to a weekly lip scrub. A good lip scrub will have a gentle grainy substance to loosen dead skin, mixed with a strong lipid-based cream to reach deep to restore moisture.  

A classic, inexpensive lip scrub that can provide a good weekly treatment is the A’pieu Honey and Milk Lip Scrub. With walnut shell working as a natural exfoliant, combined with soothing honey and milk extracts – this scrub will dutifully remove cracked, dry skin and help infuse the lips with important vitamins to improve appearance. It essentially helps treat dry lips and provide valuable nutrients at the same time. 

Another winner, is the Tocobo Lemon Sugar Scrub Lip Mask, which not only exfoliates gently with sugar granules – but also acts as an overnight mask (diving straight into Step 2 of lip care) to provide lasting hydration overnight. With the power of simple olive oil and lemon peel oil, it is brightening, provides a lasting hydration and helps relieve chapped lips well. 

Step 2: Mask 

Similar to a range of beauty products – one lip mask won’t work for all skin types! Have you ever tried a pro beauty product that promises you luscious lips, only to find they are drier than ever? That’s because our lips have different types too – just to make things more complicated. 

For thinner, more fragile lips – look no further than the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. This is a rich, lightweight lip mask that can be applied before bed or after a lip scrub to great effect. Packed with raspberry and blueberry extract and hydrating glycerin, it also contains shea butter to provide a deep hydration to deeply irritated lips. It can be the holy grail for thin lips, providing glowing reviews and a permanent space in people’s rotation.  

For thicker skin, however, look no further than Petitfee’s Oil Blossom Camellia Lip Mask. With a soft floral scent and 5 different plant oils, including turmeric root and jojoba oils, this mask deeply penetrates for thicker lip types and deeply soothes. It seals in moisture with beeswax and shea butter to ensure you wake up with deep hydration and protected lips. 

If these still aren’t enough, which sometimes is the case, you can try using oil directly on your lips (such as coconut or olive oil) and after a gentle massage, lock in moisture by topping with your favorite body butter or lip mask. Face creams, serums and body moisturizers also work on your lips too – so if in a real pinch, don’t be afraid to add a little to your lips too! 

Step 3: Daily Lip Balm 

As most of us know, using a daily lip balm is not just a morning or night event. It can be applied up to every hour; depending on desired color, effect and whether it is doing the right job. There are hundreds of different lip products to provide moisture and soothe – but there are a few key factors to always stick to. Chemical lip balms can be drying; so try to stick to brands that stick to natural, soothing ingredients. 

Ideal products that should stand out include Honey, Shea butter, Natural Oils, Mango or Coconut – but anything that does not contain irritants or are drying is key.  

For an inexpensive option that is all-natural and deeply soothing, consider the Frudia Coconut Honey Salve Lip Cream. Frudia always uses the core parts of fruit to bring out the best in them – and this is no different. With infused, honeyed coconut extract and propolis extract, mixed in with protective Shea Butter, this lip balm is simple and super effective. Best thing, is the light coconut scent. 

If a pop of color is something you look for, the Tocobo range of tinted lip balms provide a matte look that is powered by macadamia and almond oils and provides an easy, everyday color that is light and soothing. For a nude look that glows, a favorite is the Tocobo Glow Ritual Lip Balm, which is just lightly tinted and provides a velvety application. 

For last, there is the ultimate delivery of pure hydration in the Petitfee Volume Lip Oil. If you truly struggle in delivering hydration to deeper layers of your lips, this soothing combination of jojoba, almond, sunflower and macadamia oils provides an instant hit of deep, complex moisture to lips. Combined with a delicate floral scent, this lip oil is the master of daily moisturizing. Can be used underneath your favorite lip colors, but will have your back, to provide a good, soothing treatment for dry lips that lasts throughout the day. 

Take care of your lips this winter – ensure you are well hydrated and being thoughtful about the exposure your lips are going through when you step outside. Stay warm out there!