Hardly any other skin patch is as delicate and sensitive as the lips. Unfortunately, especially in cold temperatures, they lose their suppleness quickly. That’s why many people turn to lip balm and co. But some of these products have lost their reputation in recent years. That’s why we look closely and ask: What is lip care good for in winter?
WHY ARE LIPS SO SENSITIVE?
Our skin on the face is already much thinner than on the rest of the body. But on the lips, we have probably reached the minimum of strength. Even the blood-vessels shine through here, which gives the lips an attractive red color because the skin has almost no color pigments at this point. The lips are also very susceptible to UV radiation.
In addition to this quality, the lips do not have a large horny layer. External stimuli can, therefore, hardly be intercepted. There are also no sebaceous or sweat glands here. That is why the natural protective layer of fat is missing. The result: the lips tend to dry out and become chapped.
WHAT DOES GOOD LIP CARE LOOK LIKE IN WINTER?
The problem with winter is that it’s cold and damp outside, dry inside, and warmed up by the heater. These constant contrasts quickly consume the lips’ few protective resources. The skin dries out, stretches, and becomes brittle and cracked. The corners of the mouth, in particular, can tear very unpleasantly.
Accordingly, lip care in winter should emphasize a high proportion of moisturizing ingredients. Hydration is also important for skin, but avoid applying products with a high water content if you go out in the cold afterward. The water would freeze and damage the lips more than they care.
WHICH INGREDIENTS ARE VERY GOOD, AND WHICH ARE DANGEROUS?
In order to achieve these goals, you need good ingredients in lip care. There have been repeated discussions on this in recent years. Is lip balm addictive? Does it also dry out the lips? Is it maybe even harmful?
PARAFFINS IN LIP CARE
The fact is that some products use fewer high-quality ingredients. Above all, some types of purified fats are derived from petroleum. They are suspected of being deposited in the body and causing cancer. However, this effect has not yet been proven.
On the other hand, an existing effect of paraffin is that it lies on the skin like a kind of film and thereby seals it. On the negative side, the skin can no longer breathe. However, such closure to the outside can also form a protective barrier – especially in winter; it might make sense on some days.
SUNSCREEN ON THE LIPS
Winter sports enthusiasts, in particular, run the risk of burning their lips. Just because temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean UV radiation is also dropping. On the contrary, the snow reflects the sunlight and can thus intensify the effect. That’s why sun protection is also a good idea in winter.
However, summer products cannot be used. They usually contain a lot of water – which makes sense at 30°C in the shade. In winter, however, this freezes and damages the skin. That’s why you need a product with a high-fat content to bring the sun protection factor (at sunscreen SPF 50!) to the lips.
DO NATURAL INGREDIENTS HAVE ALLERGY POTENTIAL?
In fact, they always say that natural ingredients are the best choice. Shea butter and apricot kernel oil are particularly popular because they are similar to the body’s fats. Cocoa butter, almond, olive, avocado, and jojoba oil are also harmless and nourishing. Nevertheless, there are also natural substances that are risky. For example, if the lip care contains beeswax, this can be sufficiently irritating for people allergic to bees. Precise control is therefore important!
However, synthetic fabrics can also irritate. Artificial smells, flavors, and colorings are rather unsuitable for children. Because the product is applied directly to the lips, the substances get into the organism (lick off and swallow) much faster than other skin care products and can cause trouble there.
LIPSTICK, LIP BALM, OR LIP CREAM?
The most common type of lip care is probably the stick. It works according to the well-known principle of lipstick, i.e., it can be screwed in or out as desired and has a cap close. Its texture is waxy and very fatty. When applying, you have to work with a little pressure. But once in place, it forms a very good protective layer and stays on the skin for a long time.
Lip balm is similar in effect but has a much softer consistency. It comes packaged in jars and is either distributed with the fingers or applied with a brush.
The highest water content in lip care is found in lip cream. It is usually sold in tubes and applied to the lips with this. But fingers are also used here for distribution and incorporation. The consistency is light and smooth. However, this product is not suitable for a freezing winter.
CONCLUSION
Since it is essential to be careful with the lips care products you use because of the credibility of some lips balms and creams. We recommend you buy the Tanri product as they are absolutely natural sunscreen made to care for your skin and lips.
