Winter brings us chapped lips, while summer can bring us blistering burns. Or at least we hope these seasons don’t bring us these lip troubles. Much like the skin on the rest of our face, our lips go through different needs. Sometimes we need good exfoliation, and other days we need extra moisture. Most of the time, it’s both.
But learning to care for your lips during different seasons and needs is key to treating them the right way. Let this be your ultimate guide to seasonal lip care. Don’t worry! It’s not too complicated. When in doubt a softening lip oil can save the day!
Tips by The Season
Let’s start with easy tips and tricks that can be addressed for different climates. Our winter and summer are the two extremes. Fall and spring, however, can be grouped together with mild temperatures.
Summer
Summer brings the heat. It’s important that we pay extra attention to our lips during the summer because the sun, wind, and hot temperatures can not only burn our lips but also dry them out.
Hydrating from the inside is essential to keeping our lips moisturized. Extra water and avoiding dehydrating drinks are important. While we love our ice lattes and teas, make sure to double the water intake after you consume them.
The sun can create unwanted damage to your lips if you don’t protect them. Investing in a quality lip balm that is SPF can keep them from getting burned. Burned lips can result in the ageing of the skin.
Exfoliating your lips after they have healed from a burn is important. Use a gentle lip scrub to exfoliate your lips once or twice a week. This will help remove dead skin cells and leave your lips feeling smooth and soft.
Don’t exfoliate if you feel your lips have lost a layer. Instead, moisturize with an overnight lip mask until they feel restored.
Summer is great for a glossy finish. Avoid matte lipsticks, which can dry out your lips and make them look cracked.
Winter
Winter brings cold, dry air. Taking extra care of your lips and protecting them is critical. For those who live in extreme conditions in the north, consider doubling up on some of the advice. The colder it is, the more love they need. Just think about avoiding that uncomfortable feeling your lips have when you smile, and they are cracked.
In the winter, you may need a thicker lip balm. Something that can be double-coated to protect against the wind and create a barrier will help. This protects them from getting chapped. Be generous and spread it all around your lips.
On days when it is incredibly windy, wear a scarf and pull it over your nose for protection against the wind.
Don’t lick your lips! Licking your lips is a bad habit that can actually make your lips drier. Interestingly enough, saliva contains enzymes that break down the delicate skin on your lips.
Just like in the summer, using an overnight lip mask and lip oils to provide extra hydration is critical. Even more so in the winter than in summer because our lips are prone to cracking.
Having a humidifier in the house or even carefully putting your face around steam can do wonders for not only your lips but your entire face.
A thick lip balm over matte lipstick or lip gloss is the way to go. If you are looking for color, grab a tinted one! When lips aren’t smooth, a matte color can accentuate this big time.
Fall/Spring
Fall and spring are easier months to deal with, but having said that, it is no time to slack on your lip. Forgetting to use SPF or putting on protectant lip balm can be an easy mistake. Here are some easy tips and tricks.
Fall and spring is the best time to wear matte lipstick because it is the least likely time for your lips to be dry. In other seasons it can be hard to pull off. That’s why a lip gloss for summer, a lip balm for winter, and lipstick for fall and spring are perfect.
While in other seasons, you should look to exfoliate your lips once a week, you can bump it up to two times a week during these seasons. Our lips should be healthy and restored. Preparing them for the next season is important.
Even during months when the sun is not at its strongest, it’s important to put on something with a little SPF in it. This is especially true when it’s heating up or starting to cool down in the fall and spring.
Last but not least, this is the time to experiment with our products. If you are looking to try something new, fall and spring are great times to do so. Winter and summer should be all about care but fall, and spring provides flexibility.
Having a Routine
Having a routine is an important part of lip care, no matter what season it is. It doesn’t need to be too complex like a 12-step Korean skincare ritual. But keeping it consistent both with the products we use and the steps we take allows for our lips to get adjusted and be their healthiest.
Your lip care routine around the entire year will have its bases. But some of the products you use may rotate out. That’s why changing it up to fit your lip’s needs is the most important piece of advice. The more dry they are, the more moisture you need. Noticing extra dead skin? Time to exfoliate. As long as you are paying attention, your lip care will follow suit.
