Dry and painful lips! What are the bad habits that cause chapped lips, and how can you achieve plump lips at home? | Rohto Pharmaceutical: Product Information Site

Dry and painful lips! What are the bad habits that cause chapped lips, and what are some at-home care tips for plump lips?

Lips are one of the features that express femininity. On the other hand, they are a part of the body that is especially prone to dryness and chapping in winter. Are you giving up on having dry, chapped lips just because winter is the dry season? We asked Yumi Fujii, who has more than 25 years of experience in the beauty industry, to teach us how to prevent chapped lips and get plump, luscious lips.

My lips are always chapped in the cold season...
The cause was in our daily habits!?

My lips are always chapped in the cold season... The cause might be my daily habits!?

Many people probably find themselves unable to go without lip balm during the winter months. Even with regular lip balm application, some still experience dryness and, in severe cases, peeling lips.

"It's inevitable that lips, which lack sebaceous glands, tend to become dry in the winter when the air is dry. However, if your lips are still chapped even after using lip balm, there might be another reason," says Yumi Fujii, All About's "Beauty" guide.

Let's take a look at some common bad habits that people who always experience chapped lips in winter tend to fall into in their daily lives.

Are you okay? Bad habits that worsen chapped lips

I find myself touching my lips without realizing it.
I have a habit of licking or biting my lips.
Applying lipstick or gloss directly without using a base (lip balm)
After eating, lightly press your lips with a paper napkin and immediately apply lipstick.

According to Ms. Fujii, the stratum corneum of the lips is thinner than other parts of the body, making them more vulnerable to external stimuli. Repeatedly touching or licking them will only worsen the dryness. Peeling the skin off them is especially bad! It will only make the dry areas harder. Also, licking your lips when they feel dry may make them feel moisturized for a moment, but the remaining moisture evaporates, making the dryness even worse.

Furthermore, a lip balm (primer) helps prevent your lips from drying out. You wouldn't apply foundation immediately after washing your face, would you? Similarly, it's important to properly care for your lips as well.

One thing that's often forgotten is touching up your makeup after a meal. If sugar or salt remains on your lips, it can lead to dryness and chapping. It's not enough to just lightly blot with a tissue or paper napkin; it's better to wipe them thoroughly, apply lip balm, and then reapply lipstick.

For firm and glossy lips! Easy and effective special care.

So, what should we do? We asked Ms. Fujii to teach us some easy lip care tips.

Care 1. Steaming a mug

Apply a generous amount of lip balm, then bring a mug of a warm drink to your lips and let the steam hit them. Holding the mug with both hands will help prevent the steam from escaping. This is easy to do anywhere—at work, at home, or at a cafe—so why not make it a habit?

Care 2. Hmm, ah! Exercise

Apply a generous amount of lip balm, then gently pinch your lips between your upper and lower teeth. Hold for about ten seconds, then quickly release. This improves blood circulation, resulting in plumper lips. It's especially recommended during colder seasons, as it instantly brightens the color of your lips.

Care 3. Lip mask during bath time

While soaking in the bathtub, cover your mouth with a warm, damp towel. Of course, it's more effective if you apply a generous amount of lip balm beforehand. This also improves blood circulation throughout the body, which is said to help prevent chapped lips caused by cold.

"The skin on your lips has a faster turnover rate than the skin on your face or other parts of your body, and it's said to be about 4 to 7 days. That's why you can see the results of your care relatively quickly," says Fujii. If you start today, you can have plump, smooth lips by next week.

Cracked lips should be properly cared for with medication.

However, if the dryness progresses to the point where your lips are cracked or repeatedly split, it may take some time for them to become plump again.

According to Ms. Fujii, "Lips are a part of the face that is meant to be 'adorned,' so if they are inflamed or cracked, it can give a very negative impression to others. These days, even men carry lip balm with them. It's possible that the condition of your lips is attracting more attention, so if you notice even the slightest cracking, take action as soon as possible!"

For lips that are not simply dry but have developed "angular cheilitis" or "cheilitis," proper treatment with medication is the quickest way to recovery. For example, Mentholatum's "Medical Lip" contains allantoin, which promotes the repair of chapped lips, and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), which promotes skin metabolism, making it effective for peeling and cracking lips.

"It looks thick and rich, but it spreads surprisingly well when you apply it. The way it slowly penetrates the skin makes me feel like it's more than just moisturizing, which is reassuring. I don't think it would sting even if you applied it to chapped lips," says Fujii.

Mentholatum Medical Lip b
(Category 3 pharmaceutical product)

For peeling and cracked lips

Product details are available here.

Mentholatum Medicated Lip Repair One (Unscented)
(Quasi-drug)

For peeling and cracked lips

Product details are available here.

Mentholatum Medicated Lip Relief Pair One Mint Menthol Scent

Mentholatum Medicated Lip Repair One, Mint Menthol Scent
(Quasi-drug)

For peeling and cracked lips

Product details are available here.

The Mentholatum series, easily recognizable by its "nurse mark," is conveniently available at pharmacies, which is another great point! With so many events happening this winter, why not start caring for your lips now to further enhance your style and get plump, luscious lips?

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Interview cooperation
Beauty guide Yumi Fujii

All About "Beauty" Guide. Over 25 years of experience in the beauty industry. Founder of the beauty-specialized editorial production company "dis-moi". In addition to planning, producing, and writing beauty articles for beauty magazines and women's magazines, she also works as a commentator, advisor, and seminar lecturer. Leveraging her background as a former esthetician, she also develops cosmetics and provides esthetic advice.