Our very own Dr. Benjamin Barankin was once again interviewed by Global News about skin issues, this time, chapped lips.
Cold weather and more specifically cold air, actually changes the surface of the lips.
“On top of that, we heat [our skin] which dries out the air further, so ultimately there is less ambient humidity and moisture for the lips,” said Dr. Benjamin Barankin, dermatologist and medical director of Toronto Dermatology Centre.
“There is also the aspect of wind burn which is hard on the lips.”
Does lip balm work?
Some say using lip balm leads to drier lips down the road and for people who have gone through a number of products, it can seem like nothing works. For chapped lip sufferers, the options of lip treatments from oils to balms to serums can seem endless.
Dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll of Compass Dermatology in Toronto, told Global News simplicity is the best method for treating dry, chapped lips.
“[A product like] Vaseline or Aquaphor is probably healing the lips. The problem is a lot of these products have added ingredients that are plant-derived or scented that are irritating to the lips.”
Companies also tend to focus on mint or “holiday” flavoured lip balms this time of the year, but Carroll said people with chapped lips should avoid it. “You may not notice it right away, but it is a culminating effect over time, she explained, adding that these products penetrate your cracked lips and create further irritation.
Mint also has a tingly sensation, which some people believe is working or medicating — this isn’t always the case.
He recommended sticking to balms that are greasy, scent-free and with very few ingredients. Carroll also doesn’t mind using coconut oil.
Stop licking your lips
But if there’s a public service announcement that experts in the skincare community want to stress, it’s that dry lips become drier when we add saliva to the mix.
“Licking your lips will dry them out due to the evaporation that occurs,” Barankin explained. “What you can do, is lick or moisten your lips with a lukewarm water damp cloth soak for 10 to 20 seconds, and then immediately after, apply a thick greasy ChapStick/lip balm to lock in the water.”
