Here’s the thing: The skin on your lips is thinner than anywhere else on your body and it doesn’t contain any oil glands to keep itself hydrated. That makes your pout more sensitive than the male ego — and water is only a small part of it.
“Dry lips can be caused by a number of factors, such as exposure to cold weather, wind, dry air, air-conditioning, long flights and even using lip balms and toothpaste that contain irritating or sensitising ingredients, such as peppermint, menthol and some chemical preservatives,” explains Fiona Tuck, skin expert and nutritional medicine practitioner. “Drinking water will help to plump the lips by providing moisture to the water reserves in the skin, but it won’t prevent chapped lips.”
Stress, nutrient deficiencies or a restricted diet could also be to blame, she adds, as well as frequently touching or licking your lips. To nourish, steer clear of drying products, like long-wear lipsticks or lip plumpers, and avoid hydroxy acids and scrubs that could irritate the delicate lip area.
Instead, swipe on products packed with plant oils, such as jojoba and shea butter, and opt for a physical (zinc) sunscreen over a chemical one. Here are five we’d reach for:
1/ Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
Infused with powerful fruit extracts and beeswax to richly moisturize and soften lips, the nourishing oils and butters will make your lips juicy, happy and healthy. With a matte finish and moisturizing balm texture, this tint free tube of soothing lip balm glides on smoothly to nourish dry lips while keeping them revitalized and hydrated.
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READ MORE: 7 Unbelievably Cool Things You Can Do With Lip Balm — Besides Nursing Chapped Lips
2/ Plush Organics Moringa Lip Balm
Keep lips soft and smooth at all times with the healing benefits of Moringa, infused with shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax for additional support
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3/ Pure Indigenous Blend Lip Balm
This nourishing formula is packed with ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, avocado butter, macadamia oil, shea butter, and sunflower oil.
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4/ Naturals Beauty Tea Tree Lip Balm
This is a perfect treat for those suffering from dry, chapped lips. It is easily absorbed by the skin, has a non-oily, softening effect and is packed with natural ingredients like: Sweet almond oil, avocado butter and tea tree essential oil.
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READ MORE: 4 Pro Tips That’ll Help You Kiss Chapped Lips Bye-Bye
5/ Lulu & Marula Naartjie Lip Balm
“This pot ’o citrus gold will kiss your lips with a zesty flavour and nourishing goodness,” according to the creators of the brand. The citrus balm is made with 100% pure active ingredients (that means no fillers or preservatives or nasty additions). It can also double-up as a moisturising cuticle balm. Bonus!
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