Lip care – how to take care of lips in autumn?

Lips are an exceptionally delicate part of the face, requiring special attention all year round, but in autumn their care becomes crucial. Cold days, wind, and dry, heated air inside buildings can lead to dryness and cracked lips. To prevent this, it's worth learning effective methods of lip care during the autumn period and understanding why this season is so difficult for our lips. Check how to take care of lips in autumn.

Why is autumn a demanding time for lips?

Lips, unlike the rest of the skin, do not have sebaceous glands, which means they are unable to produce their own protective barrier, which is sebum. Therefore, they are much more susceptible to drying out. Here are a few factors that make autumn a particularly difficult period for lips.

1. Cold air outside: when the temperature drops, humidity in the air also decreases. Lower humidity causes the skin to lose water faster, leading to its drying out.
2. Wind: strong, cold gusts of wind can additionally dry out the lips, causing micro-damages that can lead to cracks and painful sores.
3. Indoor heating: in the autumn and winter period, we spend more time indoors, which is heated. Heated air is dry, which also leads to loss of moisture by the skin, including the lips.
4. Insufficient care: in autumn, we often focus on moisturizing the face and hands, forgetting about the lips. Lack of proper lip care can lead to serious problems such as chronic cracking of the lips, inflammation, and even bacterial or fungal infections.

How to care for lips in autumn?

Lip care in autumn requires a holistic approach that includes both external and internal actions. It is important to adapt your daily skincare routine to changing weather conditions and take care of dietary and health habits. Below you will find a comprehensive lip care plan for autumn that will help you keep them in excellent condition.

1. Ensure proper lip hydration

Regular use of moisturizing balms and protection is key in preventing dryness. Here are some practical tips.

• Choose the right lip balm: look for products containing natural moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, almond oil, vitamin E, or lanolin. Avoid balms containing artificial fragrances and dyes, which can further irritate the skin;
• apply balm regularly: to maintain proper hydration levels of the lips, apply balm at least 3-4 times a day, and even more often on particularly cold days. Don't forget to apply balm before bedtime – night is the ideal time for the skin to regenerate;
• use protective SPF: although autumn is associated with less sunlight, UV rays still affect our skin, and lips are particularly sensitive to them. Choose balms with sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) – this will help prevent photoaging of the lip skin and protect them from the harmful effects of UV rays.

2. Regular exfoliation of dead skin

For balms and oils to work fully, the lip skin must be cleansed of dead skin cells. Regular exfoliation allows for the removal of dry skin, which can crack and cause discomfort. There are special lip scrubs available on the market that contain gentle abrasive particles such as cane sugar or coffee. You can also make a scrub at home by mixing sugar with honey or olive oil. However, remember not to exfoliate your lips more than twice a week so as not to irritate the skin. After each exfoliating treatment, apply a thick layer of moisturizing lip balm or a lip mask to regenerate the skin and prevent it from drying out.

3. Avoid licking your lips

Although it seems like a natural reflex when lips are dry, licking them does more harm than good. Saliva quickly evaporates from the surface of the lips, leading to even greater dryness. Additionally, digestive enzymes contained in saliva can irritate the delicate skin of the lips, which can cause inflammation and burning. Instead of licking your lips, always have a moisturizing balm with you and apply it the moment you feel your lips are dry.

4. Take care of a proper diet

The skin, including the skin of the lips, reflects the health of the entire body. To keep it in excellent condition, it is not enough to use only external cosmetics – what we consume daily is also crucial. Here are some tips on how to properly care for the skin from within.

1. Drink enough water: hydrating the body is the basis of healthy skin. In the autumn period, when we are surrounded by dry air every day, it is especially important to drink enough water. Try to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water daily. If it is difficult for you to consume such an amount of water, opt for herbal teas, which also have moisturizing properties.
2. Include products rich in Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet: these fats play a key role in skin hydration. You can find them in fish, walnuts, flaxseed, or linseed oil.
3. Reach for vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins A, C, and E: these vitamins help in skin regeneration, including lip skin. Vitamin A helps in the reconstruction of the epidermis, vitamin C acts as a strong antioxidant, and vitamin E protects against the harmful effects of free radicals.

5. Avoid harmful habits

Some daily habits can significantly contribute to the deterioration of lip condition. It is therefore worth eliminating some of them. The most important include all kinds of stimulants that can lead to damage to blood vessels, limiting the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.

It is also worth paying attention to makeup cosmetics. Some lipsticks, especially those with a matte finish, can lead to dry lips. Choose products that contain moisturizing ingredients or use a moisturizing balm under the lipstick.

Natural methods of lip care

If you prefer natural methods of lip care, we present several home remedies that will help you take care of lip hydration and regeneration.

• Honey: is a natural humectant, which means it attracts moisture to the skin. You can apply it to your lips as a mask for 10-15 minutes, then gently rinse off;
• Aloe vera: has a soothing effect on irritated and cracked lip skin. You can apply it directly to the lips to soothe irritation and speed up regeneration;
• Coconut oil: is an excellent moisturizing and protective agent. You can use it as a replacement for lip balm or add it to scrubs.

How to take care of lips in autumn? Summary

Lip care in autumn is not only a matter of aesthetics but also health and comfort. Proper hydration, protection against harmful external factors, and a healthy diet are the key to beautiful and healthy lips. Ensure regular use of balms, avoid licking your lips, and remember to exfoliate dead skin to enjoy soft, moisturized lips throughout the autumn. Thanks to proper care, your lips will be not only beautiful but also healthy, regardless of the season.