Dry, chapped lips are a common problem many people face. The skin on our lips is thinner and more delicate than the rest of our face, making it prone to dryness and cracking, especially in cold, dry weather. Finding the right lipstick when you have perpetually parched lips can be a challenge. You want a formula that will hydrate and smooth, without emphasizing flaky patches. I’m often asked which types of lipstick work best for dry lips, so I’ve put together this guide to help you find your perfect match.
What Causes Dry, Chapped Lips?
Lips get dry and chapped for a variety of reasons:
– Exposure to sun, wind, cold temperatures, and dry indoor air. This causes moisture loss from the delicate lip skin.
– Not enough humidity in the air. Dry climates can zap moisture from lips.
– Dehydration from not drinking enough liquids. Proper hydration is key for overall skin health.
– Vitamin deficiency. Low levels of B vitamins and iron can lead to dryness.
– Certain medications. Drugs like antihistamines, beta blockers, retinoids, and NSAIDs are linked to chapping.
– Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products. The heat, chemicals, and dehydration effects damage lips.
– Constant licking of lips. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier than before licking.
– Medical conditions. Eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, and thyroid disorders can cause chronic dry lips.
– Using the wrong lip care products. Avoid lipsticks, balms, and scrubs with irritating ingredients like fragrance, menthol, camphor, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
No matter the cause, dryness leaves lips vulnerable to painful cracking and peeling. But with the right lipstick, you can combat this and keep your pout smooth.
How to Choose the Best Lipstick for Dry Lips
When your lips tend toward dry and chapped, avoid lipsticks that will emphasize or exacerbate flakiness. Instead, look for moisturizing, nourishing formulas that include these key characteristics:
– Emollients – Ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera, and lanolin smooth and soften dry lips. They fill in cracks and crevices to create a more even surface.
– Occlusives – These sealing ingredients provide a protective barrier to lock in moisture. Beeswax, soy wax, candelilla wax, and petroleum jelly are common occlusives.
– Humectants – Humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and sorbitol attract and bind water to hydrate the lips. This plumps up the delicate skin on lips.
– Soothing botanicals – Natural extracts like aloe, chamomile, honey, and shea butter have anti-inflammatory properties to comfort irritated lips.
– SPF – Look for broad spectrum SPF 15 or higher to shield fragile lips from sun damage.
– Fragrance-free – Steer clear of perfumes and essential oils that can irritate and provoke allergic reactions.
– Sheer tint – Heavy, opaque pigments settling into lip lines emphasizes dryness. Light, sheer shades even out the look of lips.
– Creamy texture – Smooth, creamy (rather than waxy) lipsticks glide over dry flakes better.
– Non-drying formulas – Avoid long-lasting liquid lipsticks, which tend to be very matte and drying.
Best Types of Lipstick for Dry Lips
Now that you know what to look for, let’s get into the specific lipstick formulas that work wonders on lackluster lips:
Tinted Lip Balms
For lightweight moisture and a soft wash of color, you can’t go wrong with a tinted lip balm. These are the least drying lip product because they are formulated like a balm but have sheer mineral pigments or plant-based dyes to provide a hint of color. Thevae are often infused with protective antioxidants like vitamin E too. Look for natural brands like Burt’s Bees, Honest Beauty, and Alba Botanica.
Sheer Lipsticks
Sheer lipsticks provide moisture through emollients, while lightweight mineral pigments give a wash of color. They glide over dryness smoothly. Opt for hydrating ingredients like aloe, shea butter, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and essential fatty acids. Great options are Dior Addict Lip Tint, Chanel Rouge Coco Baume, and Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm.
Creamy Lipsticks
Traditional creamy lipsticks cushion lips with emollients and protective waxes. They contain less pigment than matte or satin lipsticks, so the color comes out more translucent. The supple, creamy texture adheres well to dry lips. Go for nourishing ingredients like cocoa butter, cupuacu butter, murumuru butter, olive oil, argan oil, etc. Top choices are YSL Volupte Shine, Guerlain Rouge G, and Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution.
Liquid Lipsticks
The trick is to avoid ultra-matte liquid lipsticks, which cling to dry flakes. Opt instead for hydrating liquid lipsticks formulated with hyaluronic acid, oils, butters, aloe vera, and soothing extracts. They dry down with a satin rather than completely matte finish. Standouts are Smashbox Always On Cream to Matte Hydrating Lipstick, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, and Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick.
Lip Crayons
For quick touch-ups on the go, lip crayons are handy. Look for a moisturizing formula enriched with shea butter, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, etc. to smooth over flaky lips while depositing a sheer wash of color. Try Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick or Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss Lip Crayon.
Lip Glosses
While ultra-sticky gloss can catch on dry patches, moisturizing glosses infused with hydrators provide shine and slip that can make lips appear smoother. They also feel cooling and soothing. Glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera gel, and hyaluronic acid are key ingredients that make glosses ideal for dry lips. Juicy favorites are Dior Lip Glow Oil, MAC Lipglass, and Sephora Collection Lip Gloss.
Lip Scrubs
Gently sloughing away dry, dead skin cells allows lipsticks and balms to better penetrate for moisturization. Look for a lip scrub containing non-irritating fine grains like jojoba wax beads, crushed fruit seeds, or sugar. Avoid salt scrubs which may be too abrasive. Exfoliate 1-2 times per week, then always apply lip balm after. Lush Lip Scrub, Frank Body Lip Scrub, and Milk Makeup Lip + Scrub are excellent options.
Lip Masks
For an intense moisture boost, slather on a nourishing overnight lip mask before bedtime. Look for intensely hydrating and occlusive ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, murumuru butter, petroleum jelly, beeswax, avocado oil, and jojoba oil. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, and YSL Volupte Plump-In-Mask deliver amazing results.
Ointments
When lips are extremely dry and cracked, protect and relieve them with an ointment that seals in moisture and allows skin to heal. Dab it on as needed throughout the day. Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, and Lucas Papaw Ointment are excellent for this purpose.
Additional Tips for Dry Lips
– Gently exfoliate with a lip scrub 1-2 times per week to slough off flaky dead skin
– Always apply lip balm or treatment before lipstick to create a smooth base
– Opt for a lip brush when applying lipstick for precise definition sans uneven dragging
– Avoid licking, picking, or biting your lips, as this further dries them out
– Drink plenty of water and use a humidifier to counteract a dry environment
– Apply a thick layer of lip balm or mask before bed so it can work overnight
– Use SPF lip balm when outdoors to prevent sunburn that dries and chaps lips
– Get adequate iron, B vitamins, omega-3s, and other nutrients linked to healthy lips
– Consult a dermatologist if your dry, cracked lips do not improve with proper care
Which Type of Lipstick is Best for Dry Lips?
The best lipsticks for chronically dry lips are formulas that hydrate and smooth, while depositing sheer, lightweight color. Prioritize ingredients like emollients, humectants, occlusives, and soothing botanicals over heavy pigments.
Tinted balms, sheer lipsticks, creamy sticks, liquid lipsticks with a satin finish, crayons, glosses, scrubs, masks, and ointments that seal in moisture are ideal. Always prep dry lips with balm before applying lipstick. With the right nourishing products and regimen, you can reveal smooth, comfortable lips.
Conclusion
Dry, chapped lips are frustrating, but the condition can be improved with diligent hydration and the proper lip care strategy. Choose your lipstick wisely, focusing on moisturizing formulas that will condition rather than exacerbate flakiness. Sheer tints and creamy lipsticks enriched with emollients, humectants and occlusives will keep your pout healthy, comfortable and beautiful. Pair your lipstick with a good arsenal of treatments like balms, scrubs, masks and ointments to combat dryness and further nourish the delicate lip skin. With a little trial and error, you can definitely find your perfect lipstick match even if you have perpetually parched lips. Flake-free, touchably soft lips are within your reach with the right products and regimen.
Lipstick Recommendations Table
| Category | Product Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Tinted Lip Balms | Burt’s Bees, Honest Beauty, Alba Botanica |
| Sheer Lipsticks | Dior Addict Lip Tint, Chanel Rouge Coco Baume, Clinique Chubby Stick |
| Creamy Lipsticks | YSL Volupte Shine, Guerlain Rouge G, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution |
| Liquid Lipsticks | Smashbox Always On, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick |
| Lip Crayons | Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick, Revlon Super Lustrous The Gloss Lip Crayon |
| Lip Glosses | Dior Lip Glow Oil, MAC Lipglass, Sephora Collection Lip Gloss |
| Lip Scrubs | Lush Lip Scrub, Frank Body Lip Scrub, Milk Makeup Lip + Scrub |
| Lip Masks | Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, YSL Volupte Plump-In-Mask |
| Ointments | Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, Lucas Papaw Ointment |