You certainly know this from experience: the first frosts arrive, we pull thicker jumpers, hats and gloves out of the wardrobe. By and large we are prepared, the checklist looks taken care of, and then suddenly they come back - chapped lips. Dry flakes irritate and make us uncomfortable. Every single time, with every drop in temperature, the problem comes back like a boomerang, and most often precisely in the autumn and winter season. Have you ever wondered why then, and why like this? Well, outside there is grey, dreary slush, at best frost and snow, the cold creeps in through every crack, and the radiators at home are blasting away, giving it everything they have got. We are supposedly doing our bit too, arming ourselves with scarves, but... spending time in air-conditioned and heated, and therefore dry, rooms is still not the best set of conditions for our lips. Prone to drying out, lips become defenceless against the weather and the reality they have to face in winter. The delicate skin dries out, the lips chap or become inflamed, cracks appear, contact dermatitis sets in, and sometimes bacteria move in too... Nothing pleasant. But let us start from the beginning. This problem needs to be thought through from the ground up. After all, it can be prevented. What can you do to deal with dry lips? Let us analyse the causes of this phenomenon so that we can tackle it effectively and for the long term. And simply get it off our minds. The road to soft and firm lips leads through knowledge and prevention, so let us go!

Chapped lips - why is the skin of the lips so sensitive?

Have you ever thought about how amazing lips are? How soft and tender? That is their superpower, but also their weak point. Lips are a very special part of our body, because they belong to the most delicate. The epidermis here is exceptionally thin - about 3-5 times thinner than on the rest of the face. What is more, the skin of the lips contains no sebaceous glands, which naturally moisturise and protect the epidermis. That is precisely why lips are particularly prone to drying out and to all kinds of irritation. Thin and delicate skin is wonderful, but it also needs extra care and protection.

Another reason why protecting the lips is so important is the absence of melanin. Melanin is the natural pigment that protects against UV radiation. Lips do not have it, and the lack of this kind of protective barrier exposes them to further trials. And so the lips - though of course they do not do it on purpose! - pave the way for possible damage under the influence of external factors. Prevention through protection and thorough lip care therefore comes in very handy. Sensitive lips need extra attention, so let us not be shy about supporting them.

The first sign of trouble with the lips is usually a burning sensation and discomfort around them. Here it is worth mentioning the remarkably unique structure of the vermilion border - we tend to bite and lick our lips, and the truth is that the structure of this part of the lips is the most vulnerable to damage. The lip consists of a dense network of blood vessels, which give the lips their characteristic colour but at the same time act like a barometer, making them more sensitive to changes in temperature and other external factors.

So much for the tender spots. Now let us consider the processes that directly cause dry and chapped lips.

Chapped lips - causes and risk factors

Let us analyse step by step what causes the unpleasant chapping and inflammation of the lips. Such a list will help you remember everything that is worth avoiding or protecting yourself against. All so that your lips can be in the best possible condition.

• Weather conditions - dry air, wind and frost are the villains of this story and the main enemies of our lips. Moisture matters, and the weather contributes to its loss in the most sensitive parts of our body. Lips lose moisture faster, especially with sudden changes in temperature, for instance when we step out of a heated room into freezing air.
• Dehydration of the body - drink water, this is no joke! Dryness of the skin, including the delicate lips, is one of the first warning signals our body sends us. Dry and chapped lips are a common symptom of not drinking enough water.
• Vitamin deficiency - especially vitamins A, B and E, which are key to the proper functioning of the skin. Vitamin A is a champion at supporting the regeneration of the epidermis, while the B group vitamins look after hydration, and vitamin E protects against the harmful action of free radicals. This is a protective team, a simply perfect trio.
• Breathing through the mouth - unhealthy for the respiratory system when we breathe through the mouth instead of the nose outdoors, but also harmful when it happens at night. This problem often affects people with a blocked nose or sinus trouble. It can lead to excessive drying of the lips.
• Certain medications - especially those that are dehydrating by nature. They too can cause dryness of the lips. This applies among others to acne medication, some antibiotics or allergy remedies.
• Allergies and unwanted reactions to cosmetics - sometimes the very thing that is supposed to protect our lips can cause irritation and inflammation. Not every lip balm will help and, unfortunately, it may even do harm. Some lip balm ingredients can be particularly allergenic, and sometimes the culprit turns out to be a favourite lipstick or gloss.
• Inappropriate care - a lack of regular protection, or excessive exfoliation, can lead to cracks and inflammation. The key is to find your own path in lip care so as to strike the balance that suits your body. This is a very individual matter.

Cracked lips - the habits that dry them out

It is hard to admit, but often we ourselves unknowingly contribute to the worsening condition of our lips. That is why being aware of such "own goals" matters. Without judgement, let us take a look at the most common mistakes we make.

• Licking your lips - a habit that casts a shadow over the condition of our most delicate skin. Saliva evaporates quickly, taking natural hydration with it, and the lips start to chap. What is more, the enzymes contained in saliva can further irritate the delicate skin of the lips. So a good rule is - do not lick!
• Biting your lips - a tendency to bite brings practically nothing but negative effects. Mechanical damage leads to cracking and flaking of the skin. The lips suffer too. Unfortunately this habit often appears in stressful situations, but being aware of it is the first step to getting it under control. And again, in short, better not to bite!
• Exfoliating too often - excessive scrubbing can damage the delicate skin of the lips. Exfoliation is good for the lips, but in moderation; after all, we do not want to damage the lips and the delicate skin. Let us remember that exfoliation should be gentle and should not happen more than once a week.
• A lack of proper sun protection - here we come back to melanin, which the lips do not have. As a result, UV radiation penetrates the skin more intensively and can cause not only dryness but also accelerated ageing of the skin of the lips.
• Using irritating cosmetics - especially those that contain alcohol or strong fragrance substances.

Interestingly, eating habits also play a role in the condition of our lips - eating a lot of salty or spicy food can contribute to drying them out and even to chapping. After all, what we want is to keep moisture in the epidermis. Excessive consumption of coffee or alcohol can have a similarly negative effect on our lips.

Cracked lips - first symptoms and warning signs

Let us take a look at the first symptoms of dry lips. Reacting quickly to the warning signals our body sends us will speed up regeneration, so they are worth responding to.

• A feeling of tightness and discomfort - this is the first signal that something is wrong and that our lips need immediate hydration
• Roughness and dryness on the surface of the lips - when that characteristic "coarseness" appears, it is a sign that the lips are dehydrated
• Fine, white flakes on the surface of the lips - these unsightly dry slivers are a sign of the epidermis peeling
• Cracked corners of the mouth - these can be painful and lead to inflammation
• A tendency for the skin to crack in the central part of the lip - particularly visible and noticeable when smiling or opening the mouth wider. Nothing pleasant.
• Redness and irritation - this may indicate the start of an inflammation
• A deterioration in the look of the lips - when the lips lose their attractive appearance and their natural firmness and shine

Moisturising ingredients in the care of chapped lips

All right, so the lips are cracked and chapped - what now? This is the best moment to bring in emergency care. Some people reach for aloe, others for olive oil or coconut oil. We are team honey! But we have a few tips for you as well. When choosing cosmetics to care for dried-out lips, it is worth paying attention to the active ingredients those products contain. Let us look for ones that contain ingredients which effectively moisturise and regenerate the delicate skin of the lips. Here are the most important of them:

• Lanolin - a natural wax that contains substances similar to those found in our own skin
• Shea butter - rich in vitamins and fatty acids
• Beeswax - creates a protective barrier on the lips
• Vitamin E - a strong antioxidant that protects against the action of free radicals
• Honey - moisturises and has antibacterial properties

In our Honey line you will find all these beneficial ingredients in carefully developed formulas. They will take comprehensive care of the condition of your lips and make the discomfort a thing of the past. The Honey line contains what is best for the lips - it is the right path to moisturising, softening and firming them. The scrub gently exfoliates, the balm intensively moisturises and regenerates, and the lip balm provides all-day protection against dryness (and is always at hand!). Another perfect trio.

A way to deal with chapped lips - effective prevention and care

What can you do to moisturise your lips effectively and how can you regenerate them? The basis is of course proper care. Ministerstwo is characterised by modesty, but in this particular case there is no point in being modest - we simply know how to take care of lip protection effectively and we know what an effective product should contain. So what we suggest is effective, three-step care:

• Gentle exfoliation - our lip scrub with added honey removes dead skin cells perfectly while not irritating the delicate skin. It is important, though, to let the skin rest and not to use the scrub more than once a week. The epidermis needs to catch its breath and regenerate naturally. The Honey lip scrub will perfectly prepare the lips to take in the nourishing ingredients of the next care steps. It is the ideal start.
• Intensive moisturising - the Honey balm-mask is a genuine must-have in everyday care. It contains a whole range of moisturising and protective ingredients that create a barrier on the lips against harmful external factors. We especially recommend using the balm as an overnight treatment; that is when regeneration is at its most intensive.
• Protection during the day - the lip balm from the Honey line is an excellent complement to the routine. Its moisturising formula keeps the lips soft and supple all day long. It is an essential in every handbag and backpack, especially in the autumn-winter period.

In addition, it is worth:

• Protecting yourself against dehydration, that is drinking the right amount of water - a minimum of 2 litres a day
• Using a humidifier indoors - especially during the heating season
• Protecting your lips against frost and wind - a scarf or a snood comes in handy here, it is always an extra protective layer
• Using cosmetics with UV filters - a lip balm with a filter also comes in useful, and not only in summer but all year round
• Regularly keeping an eye on the state of your lips - so as to catch any worrying changes and needs early enough

Chapped lips - when to see a specialist?

Let us be honest: despite using the right care, sometimes the problem of chapped, painful lips and inflamed lip tissue may require a consultation with a specialist. Some complaints may not heal, others are a sign of more serious problems.

Here are the worrying symptoms that are better not ignored:

• Persistent cracking of the corners of the mouth
• Chronic inflammation
• Excessive flaking of the skin
• Changes in the colour of the lips
• Complaints that do not go away despite proper care

In such cases prevention and ordinary lip care may turn out to be insufficient. It is then worth consulting a dermatologist, who will help identify the cause of the problem and suggest suitable treatment.

By way of busting myths, it is worth emphasising at the end that dried-out lips are not merely an aesthetic problem. Cracked skin can serve as a gateway through which bacteria will happily invade, so it is a straight road to infection. That is precisely why proper prevention and daily care matter so much. It is worth putting a long-term protective routine in place before the dryness makes itself painfully known. Well-chosen products for lip protection, such as our Honey line, are packed to the brim with nourishing goodness and designed to protect and support the lips. It is the ideal choice, thanks to which you can enjoy healthy and beautiful lips all year round.