Dry lips are a common problem that can cause flaking, cracking and a feeling of tightness. This dryness can be caused by cold, wind, dehydration or certain everyday habits.
In this article, we share some tips and care products that can help improve dry lips and restore comfort to this sensitive area.
Why are your lips always dry?
Dry lips can appear for different reasons. In most cases, they result from a combination of environmental factors, daily habits and natural changes in the body.
The most common causes include
- Environmental conditions: Cold, wind, dry environments or frequent exposure to air conditioning reduce the natural hydration of the skin on the lips. As this area has fewer sebaceous glands, it becomes more sensitive to dryness and flaking.
- Daily habits: Licking, biting or pulling off small “skins” can momentarily relieve discomfort, but tends to aggravate moisture loss and local irritation.
- Dehydration of the body: Drinking too little water or eating a diet low in fruit and vegetables can affect the health of the skin and contribute to dry lips.
- Nutritional deficiencies or medication: A lack of certain vitamins, such as vitamin A or those of the B complex, as well as certain medications, can encourage dry or chapped lips.
When dry lips are persistent or painful cracks appear, it can be important to have a medical assessment to rule out situations such as infections or inflammation of the lip mucosa.
Learn more about winter skin care
Home care to help prevent dry lips
There are some simple precautions that can help improve dry lips and prevent recurrent episodes.
1. Moisturize your lips regularly
Using lip balms without fragrances, menthol or alcohol can help protect and repair the skin on your lips. Ideally, they should be applied several times a day and before bed.
2. Use lip balm with SPF
Sun exposure is one of the causes of premature skin ageing and dry lips. Products with SPF 30 or higher help protect this sensitive area.
3. Keeping well hydrated
Drinking around 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day helps to keep the skin and mucous membranes more hydrated.
4. Avoid biting your lips
Although it’s tempting, pulling or tearing off the “little hairs” can cause irritation and delay skin regeneration.
Even with these precautions, some people still find their lips dry out frequently. In these cases, it can be useful to use solutions that act more deeply.
Suggested reading: Discover the importance of a skincare routine
What to do when balms aren’t enough?
Deep moisturizing with Hyaluronic Acid
Filling with Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most widely used treatments in Aesthetic Medicine to improve the hydration and harmonization of the lips.
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule naturally present in the skin and responsible for retaining water in the tissues. Over the years, its production decreases, which can contribute to a loss of volume, less definition of the contour and a feeling of dryness in the lips.
When applied through micro-injections, hyaluronic acid can help:
- Replenish the lips’ deep hydration;
- Improve skin texture and smoothness;
- Soften fine lines around the mouth;
- Define the lip contour;
- Contribute to a more balanced and rejuvenated appearance.
While a moisturizing lipstick acts only on the surface, hyaluronic acid acts as a kind of “moisture reserve”, drawing water into the tissues and helping to improve the comfort and appearance of dry lips.
This medical-aesthetic procedure is minimally invasive and, when performed by experienced medical professionals, has a high safety profile and natural results. The effects can last for several months and vary from person to person.
Still having doubts? In this article, we answer 7 questions about hyaluronic acid lip fillers.
Lip Revive Therapy: Medical protocol for gently moisturized lips
For those who experience recurrent dry lips – with flaking, sensitivity or discomfort – a specific lip regeneration protocol can be recommended, such as the Lip Revive Therapy.
This type of approach combines different steps to improve the health and appearance of the lips:
- Controlled exfoliation: Gently removes dead cells, helping to renew the surface of the lips.
- Application of moisturizing and repairing actives: Ingredients such as topical hyaluronic acid, ceramides or plant butters help restore the skin barrier.
- Superficial deep hydration micro-injections: When indicated, small amounts of hyaluronic acid can be used to reinforce deep hydration, without significantly increasing volume.
- Personalized home care guidance: This includes the choice of suitable balms, lip sun protection and habits that help preserve the results.
This protocol is particularly suitable for people who have recurrent dry lips, even after regular use of moisturizing products.
Personalized assessment: Which treatment is right for you?
Each patient has different needs. While some people just want to moisturize and soften dry lips, others also want to improve definition or slightly recover the volume lost over time.
At Skin Boutique, all medical-aesthetic treatments begin with a personalized assessment consultation with an Aesthetic Medicine doctor to analyze the condition of the lips, the medical history and the goals of each patient. Based on this analysis, an adjusted treatment plan is defined that favors natural and harmonious results.
If your lips often feel dry, chapped or uncomfortable, you could benefit from a specialized assessment at one of the Skin Boutique clinics in Lisbon, Porto or Cascais.
