Guide skincare - Facial care

Lip care - avoid dry, chapped lips according to a doctor and analyses by BeautyDecoders.

The skin on the lips is very thin and lacks sebaceous glands: it quickly dehydrates and has no natural protection. For healthy lips: use a nourishing balm morning and night, SPF 30+ when exposed to the sun, drink enough water and avoid aggravating gestures (licking, peeling) and drying ingredients - menthol, camphor, alcohol.

ApproachIndependent cosmetic analysis
SpecificSkin without sebaceous glands
KeyNourish, protect, do not attack

Skin on the side

The skin of the lips is much thinner and more fragile than that of the face: 3 to 5 layers of cells versus around 16, and neither sebaceous nor sweat glands to produce the protective hydrolipidic film.

Why they dry out so quickly

Without this protective film, lips are poorly protected and dehydrate very quickly. Poorly cared for, they become dry, chapped and sore, and can develop cracks that can lead to infection. Well-moisturized lips are more comfortable, more beautiful and better protected from external aggressions.

Why lips dry and chapped

A number of everyday factors cause dry, chapped lips. Understanding these causes allows us to act at source.

01

Cold & dry climate

In winter, cold, wind and dry air (outside or from heating) alter the skin barrier and accelerate water loss.

02

UV exposure

Lips contain very little melanin, do not tan and burn easily: dehydration, premature aging and increased risk of long-term damage.

03

Lack of hydration

Not drinking enough is reflected directly on the thin skin of the lips, which becomes chapped more quickly.

04

Aggravating habits

Licking the lips removes moisture (saliva evaporates) and its enzymes irritate; biting or peeling the skin aggravates cracks.

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Irritating or medical factors : Excessive smoking and alcohol dry out the skin, while spicy or acidic foods irritate. Constantly chapped lips may indicate a vitamin B deficiency, fungal infection of the corners of the mouth or another health problem - in which case medical advice is useful.

Visit four families care

Depending on the need - to repair, protect from the sun, maintain daily or intensely nourish at night - we choose a different texture and formula. In all cases, wax, oils and glycerine are preferred, without menthol, camphor, eucalyptol, perfume or alcohol.

Repair

Repairing balms

To repair and nourish dry lips, use a rich balm based on wax, oils or glycerine, without menthol, camphor or perfume. Use whenever lips are chapped or sore.

Protect

Anti-UV Sticks (SPF 30+)

In case of sun exposure, a stick with SPF 30 sunscreen or higher protects against sunburn and premature aging. Reapply every two hours.

Maintain

Daily moisturizing balms

For everyday maintenance, a moisturizing balm to keep with you and reapply as soon as lips feel tight.

Feeding at night

Masks & night care

For intense repair, apply a nourishing mask or night cream generously before bedtime.

Lip care explained

Causes and solutions at a glance

Our lips suffer as soon as they are exposed to an aggressive environment or are poorly moisturized. There's a simple solution for every cause.

Common cause Recommended solution
Cold, wind, dry air (winter) Rich, full-coverage balm before exposure. Scarf in freezing weather, humidifier indoors, sufficient hydration even in winter.
Sun and UV rays (summer) SPF 30+ balm before any prolonged outing, repeat every 2 hours, especially after eating, drinking or swimming.
Dehydration Drink 1.5 to 2 L of water a day. Limit excess alcohol and coffee, which dehydrate.
Licking or biting Use a balm rather than licking your lips. Never remove dead skin, which creates cracks and delays healing.
Irritating products Do not smoke. Rinse mouth after eating spicy or acidic foods. Choose a balm without camphor, menthol, eucalyptol, perfume or alcohol; prefer wax, oils and glycerine.

A routine for healthy lips

Every day

Moisturize, protect, repair

1

Internal hydration Drink enough water throughout the day (about 8 glasses).

2

Morning protection A rich moisturizing balm every morning, with SPF 30 if exposure is planned.

3

During the day Keep a stick with you, reapply every 2 to 3 hours or as soon as lips feel tight.

4

Evening care A repairing balm applied generously before bedtime.

5

Gentle exfoliation A very light exfoliation once a week (using a soft brush or warm cloth), followed by immediate moisturizing.

Adapt winter and summer

In winter

Apply a rich balm more often, cover lips with a scarf, drink regularly even when not thirsty, avoid drying lipsticks.

In summer

Balm SPF 30 or more, drink plenty of water to compensate for perspiration, reapply after swimming or eating, wear a hat to shade the face.

Mistakes to avoid

Lick your lips, peel off dead skin, breathe through your mouth, use products containing camphor, menthol or alcohol, and forget about sun protection. Five simple reflexes that make all the difference over time.

Analyze lip balm on your skin profile.

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Your questions about lip care

Why do I always have dry lips?
This can be due to the environment (cold, wind, sun), insufficient hydration or habits such as lip licking. Identify the cause and adapt your skincare routine accordingly.
How can you quickly treat chapped lips?
Apply a repair balm several times a day, avoid touching or biting your lips, and moisturize well. Give your skin time to regenerate.
Should you exfoliate your lips?
Yes, but gently: once a week is enough, with a soft brush or a very light scrub, followed by immediate moisturizing.
Why use a balm with SPF?
Melanin-poor lips burn easily in the sun. An SPF balm prevents sunburn, premature aging and the risk of long-term damage.
What if my lips remain dry despite everything?
If dryness persists despite a good routine, consult a healthcare professional to rule out allergy, vitamin B deficiency or an underlying condition such as cheilitis.
Dr Sylvain DavidPlastic and aesthetic surgeon - Founder of BeautyDecoded
Scientific sources - Fonseca A, Jacob SE & Sindle A, Art of prevention: Practical interventions in lip-licking dermatitis (Int J Womens Dermatol, 2020) ; Cheng H et al., Patch testing for cheilitis: A 10-year series (Dermatitis, 2019).

Information for educational purposes only. It does not replace a medical consultation and must be adapted to each individual. The compatibility scores generated by the application do not prejudge the individual tolerance of each skin type. In the event of pregnancy, skin pathology or doubt, dermatological advice is recommended. A tolerance test should be carried out before using the product for the first time.