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It’s super important to emphasize the word “gentle” but exfoliating the lips should be part of your skincare routine, just as it is with the rest of your face. The key is to go slowly and gently to prevent further damage- you don’t want to make your lips raw and painful (yep, been there, done that).

Personally, I like to use a specially formulated lip scrub or a damp face cloth to exfoliate my lips. Dampen a face cloth under warm water and very lightly and slowly do circular motions over your lips. This will help lift and remove any immediate flakes but should not damage healthy skin. Apply a protective balm afterwards.

Wearing a lip balm is a good (and somewhat obvious) way to moisturize the lips throughout the day. If your lips are particularly sensitive, it’s best to opt for a balm that is fragrance-free and does not include “tingling” ingredients such as menthol. This will help avoid irritation. Ingredients that help with dry lips include moisturizing elements such as oils, like jojoba or castor, or shea butter, as well as occlusives to lock in the moisture such as petroleum jelly or lanolin. Do bear in mind that you do not need to constantly apply lip balm- just enough to keep lips moisturized. Overusing lip balm and “lip balm addiction” has anecdotally been linked to worsening of chapped lips.

It’s important not to forget about the skin around your lips. If skin around your mouth becomes dry, particularly in the crease between your lips, it can be extremely painful. As we get older, this delicate skin is also particularly susceptible to fine lines and drying of the skin increases the likelihood of this. When you apply your products in your skincare routine, be sure to apply them right up to the edge of your lips. If I’m using very gentle formulas, I will often actually apply them to the skin of my lips as well, but do be wary of causing irritation if the products contain fragrance or other potentially irritating ingredients. I also often go over my lip edge with lip balms for additional care.

Like the rest of our face, the thin skin on our lips can easily become sun damaged and a lot of sun will cause dry lips as well as premature ageing. Investing in a lip balm that contains SPF, or using an SPF stick specifically designed for use on the lips, is a smart choice.

One of the most effective lip products in my experience is a lip mask, which are popular within Korean skincare. This is usually a thick balm that forms an occlusive layer over your lips during the night; the purpose is to prevent moisture escaping as you sleep and to enhance moisturizing.

My personal favourite and long-time trusty go-to is Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. I have owned so many of these little pots of goodness and always keep one by my bed for slathering on before sleep. The formulation contains Laneige’s patented moisture technology as well as antioxidants for anti-aging. The result the following morning? Soft, supple, and healthy-looking lips!

Newer competition for Laneige is the Klavuu Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Mask. This formula contains a blend of natural oils and is more of a lightweight option to the Laneige Mask. It’s also alcohol-free, which is good to know if you’re sensitive to alcohol!

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