5 Lip Balms to Reach For This Winter (Plus the 3 Habits That Make Them Work)
If your lips feel rough and tight the moment you step into cold air, yet somehow even more irritated after applying lip balm... you’re not imagining it. Winter weather, indoor heating, and biting wind create the perfect conditions for dry, cracked, and chronically chapped lips.
Why Lips Get So Dry in Winter
Unlike the rest of your skin, lips lack oil (sebaceous) glands, which means they have no natural way to lock in moisture. In winter, cold temperatures and low humidity accelerate water loss, leaving lips vulnerable to dryness and cracking. Compounding the problem, frequent lip-licking provides only temporary relief— saliva quickly evaporates, pulling even more moisture from the delicate skin.
5 lip balms that actually help (and how to choose)
Think Function, Not Brand
Instead of choosing a lip product based on the label, think in terms of what job it needs to do. Different formulas serve different purposes—and using the wrong one can actually make dryness worse.
1) The Seal-It-In Ointment
Best for very dry, cracked, or compromised lips
What to look for:
Petrolatum (petroleum jelly), dimethicone
Why it works:
Ointments form an occlusive barrier that prevents moisture from escaping the lips. This is especially important when the skin is cracked, raw, or healing, as it protects the surface while allowing repair to occur.
How to use it:
Apply after washing your face and right before bed. For best results, apply while lips are still slightly damp—this helps trap existing moisture under the ointment (more on why this matters below).
Examples:
Plain petroleum jelly; fragrance-free healing ointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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5 Lip Balms to Reach For This Winter (Plus the 3 Habits That Make Them Work)
If your lips feel rough and tight the moment you step into cold air, yet somehow even more irritated after applying lip balm... you’re not imagining it. Winter weather, indoor...