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A dermatologist's three-step method for preventing chapped lips has gained attention on social media. It starts with advice to discard conventional lip balms.
New York City dermatologist Dr. Mark Strom, known as @dermarkologist on TikTok, shared his approach to preventing chapped lips as winter weather increases dryness risks.
Lips are particularly vulnerable to dryness because they lack sebaceous glands, which produce the natural oils that moisturize other areas of skin. The skin on the lips is also thinner and contains less keratin than other facial skin, making it more susceptible to moisture loss.
"Lip balms containing ingredients like phenol, menthol, and salicylic acid actually make your lips drier. So, you apply more, and it becomes a vicious cycle," said Dr. Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Common lip care products, including ChapStick brand balm, contain menthol. Many other popular brands incorporate combinations of these potentially drying ingredients.
Strom's method involves three steps: removing problematic lip balms, applying hyaluronic acid, and finishing with petroleum jelly. Hyaluronic acid functions as a humectant, helping skin retain moisture, while petroleum jelly creates a protective barrier.
Dr. Reshmi Kapoor, a New York dermatologist, endorsed the petroleum jelly recommendation in comments to CNN. "I tell patients to layer it on their lips overnight like a cream cheese on a bagel," Kapoor said.
"In dry, cold weather, the moisture inside our skin cells essentially gets sucked out and into the environment," Dr. Maritza Perez explained to Self magazine.
Dermatologists note that certain habits can worsen lip dryness. Licking lips provides temporary relief but ultimately increases dryness due to saliva enzymes. Additionally, artificial colors, fragrances, and flavors in lip products can exacerbate chapping, according to Piliang.
Without oil glands and minimal natural protection against moisture loss, lips require specific care to prevent chapping, particularly during colder months.
