Take Care of Dry, Chapped Lips This Winter With a 5-Step Routine

With the winter season in full effect, there’s no time like the present to get serious about your lip-care routine. Truth be told, you should treat your lips with the same care as you do the rest of your complexion — weekly exfoliation, hydrating masks, moisturizing on the regular — you get the picture. If you’re wondering how to properly care for your dry, chapped lips this season, follow our step-by-step guide to winter lip care, ahead.

Step #1: Cleanse With a Lip Color Remover

Before beginning your winter lip-care routine, it’s important to remove any lipstick you may have on. We recommend using a micellar water-soaked cotton pad or makeup wipe, like the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water.

Step #2: Exfoliate With a Lip Scrub

Just like the rest of your body, the skin on your lips can experience a buildup of dry skin, too. To help reduce the look of peeling or flaky lips, try exfoliating at least once a week with a lip scrub.

Scrubs can be a gentle yet effective way to slough off dry, dead skin cell buildup on the surface of your lips and can leave them feeling soft and smooth. One lip scrub we like is the Naturopathica Sweet Cherry Polishing Lip Scrub. To use it, simply apply a small amount of the scrub to clean lips and rub them together. When you feel like you’ve properly exfoliated, wipe the residue off with a washcloth and some warm water. 

Step #3: Use a Mask With Soothing Ingredients

After exfoliating your lips, it’s time to mask. Sound familiar? Similar to the skin on your face, the skin on your lips can benefit from using a weekly, or bi-weekly mask. No matter what season it is, using a hydrating lip mask can help nourish and soften your lips even more. One of our favorites is the Kiehl’s Buttermask for Lips.

Step #4: Deep Condition With a Lip Oil or Butter 

If your lips are looking extra dry and in need of some extra nourishment, try deep conditioning them with a hydrating oil serum or butter. We recommend the Vertly Balm CBD Infused Lip Butter.

Step #5: Protect and Hydrate With a Lip Balm With SPF

Sun protection is an absolute must, and your lips are no exception. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, lips have no melanin, which means they’re even more at risk of damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays. This winter — and year-round — protect and hydrate your lips with a SPF lip balm like Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment With SPF 30.

Read More:

Celebrity Esthetician Shani Darden’s Top Skin-Care Secrets

The Best Gel Face Masks to Add to Your Winter Skin-Care Routine

5 Editors Share Their Favorite Winter Moisturizers