As the season changes and we slowly prepare to move into Autumn in South Africa, cooler weather is expected and with this in mind – we need to start thinking about solutions to prevent chapped, dry and peeling lips. As we know, the colder the environment, the more your skin and lips lack moisture and hydration, but do you know why this happens and how to prevent this from happening? 

For many people, chapped lips are a fact of life, especially during seasonal changes. Extreme heat or cold coupled with dry air leach moisture from the skin, causing dryness and flaking — particularly on the lips, where skin is thin. In Autumn the humidity in the air is much less and so the cold air pulls moisture from the skin. 

Natasha Davel from Fundamentals Skincare, a leading affordable and quality skincare company in South Africa explained that: “The best way to prevent chapped lips is to target the causes by keeping your body and environment hydrated whenever possible. To treat existing dryness and prevent more moisture loss, you will need effective lip treatments. But not all lip hydrators are created equally, so you will need to ensure that you are applying the correct type of lip care.”

When choosing a lip care treatments, consider your specific needs, such as hyperpigmentation or sun protection. It's important to use a lip balm daily and reapply as needed. Applying lip balm proactively before your lips feel dry under lipstick is completely fine and helps keep your lips hydrated. You will also need to do a lip scrub and lip mask at least twice a week to help remove the dead skin cells and build up on your lips. This will help your lips look soft, smooth and brighter. 

Frequently asked questions when it comes to lip balms and lip care: 

Q: Do I need to use a lip mask every day?

A: Not every day, but definitely at least twice a week coupled alongside your lip scrub. 

Q: Do I need to reapply lip balm?

A: It is generally recommended to use a lip balm as needed. However, if you are out eating or drinking, it’s always nice to reapply it at that point.

Q: Is it okay to apply a lip balm under your lipstick?

A: Yes, it is completely alright to use a lip balm under your lipstick to make sure that your lips remain hydrated even if the lipstick has a drying formula.

Q: Do I need to be using a lip mask or lip scrub? 

A: It is recommended to use a lip mask if you specifically suffer from dryness. A lip scrub is a great therapeutic way to help lock in moisture overnight and allow your lips to heal. Using a lip scrub is a good idea at least twice a week to help your lips recover and renew themselves. 

“Lip care is one of the more basic routines you will need to do in a day. Use a lip mask twice a week to gently scrub dead skin cells away and replenish moisture and religiously apply your lip balm. Some key ingredients to lookout for are Squalane, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil,” concluded Davel. 

This month you can now easily shop for your lip care by snatching up the brand new lip duo from Fundamentals Skincare. Enjoy the best of both world’s with one easy to use, easy to carry around lip mask and lip scrub combo.