We’ve all been there: Your lips are bone dry, your lip balm is MIA, and in a desperate attempt to relieve the chapping and dryness, you give them a quick lick. Then, minutes later, they’re somehow even drier. This isn’t terrible luck. It’s inevitable—and there’s a scientific explanation for it.
First off, our lips don’t have oil glands, and they’re much thinner than the rest of the skin on our face and body, which makes them prone to dryness, no matter the season. But winter is especially problematic for lips since cold temps, low humidity, and dry indoor air can exacerbate things like dryness, chapping, and flaking. And licking your lips? It may seem harmless it can make things much worse, says dermatologist Jeanine Downie, MD. “There is acid in our salvia, which can be irritating to damaged lips,” she says.
It’s a natural habit to lick the lips, thinking that saliva will act as an instant hydrator, but that’s not the case, adds celebrity aesthetician Candace Marino. “Our saliva contains bacteria and enzymes that can damage the thin, delicate skin on the lips. Once the saliva dries on your lips, it leaves behind dry lips, too,” she explains.
So, whatever you do, avoid licking your lips this winter, and stock up on a few good lip balms instead. So I’m never without one when I need it, I buy a few and stash them everywhere: my car, my desk, my bag, my nightstand, and even my coat pocket. Shop our editor favorites below:
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and expert with 20 years of experience. She started her career in public relations before shifting to editorial. Elise rose the ranks at NewBeauty magazine from an editorial assistant to Executive Beauty Editor, overseeing and reporting on all things beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health, and wellness. A prolific content creator and trendspotter, Elise always knows what’s new, what works, and who’s the best to go to for treatments and procedures. She contributes to media outlets including InStyle, NewBeauty, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Beauty Independent, The Aesthetic Guide, Bazaar, and more.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
