Why Do Lips Become Damaged So Easily?
Lips are a particularly fragile area of the body.
Consider this: compared to facial skin, their epidermis is three times thinner and dehydrates more quickly. They produce neither the sebum that forms a hydrolipidic film on the skin, nor the keratin that acts as a skin barrier. Finally, their low melanin content makes them more vulnerable to UV rays.
What's more, lips are exposed daily to numerous aggressors: cold, dry winter air, sun, wind, mouth breathing due to a cold or during sport, smoking, and certain drying medications such as retinoids for acne, chemotherapy drugs, or diuretics, and so on.
Lips therefore easily become dry and chapped, even though they need to move to eat, drink, speak, smile, yawn... They can then become damaged, splitting and cracking.
Unfortunately, cracks in the lips do not heal well. They tend to reopen with every movement of the mouth and to bleed. They can therefore become established, causing pain, discomfort and cosmetic concerns. They are also likely to make infections more likely.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸
Good Habits to Avoid Chapped, Damaged Lips
To prevent cracked, damaged lips, look after them as soon as you notice signs of dryness: roughness, paleness, flaking... Adopt good habits to protect and nourish your lips daily... and avoid those that damage them!
What to Do to Look After Your Lips
- Use a lip balm based on natural ingredients such as honey. Apply it at least once in the morning and once before bed. Keep it close at hand to use as soon as you feel the need.
- Outdoors, protect your lips from cold or wind with a mask, scarf or neck warmer.
- Drink enough water: at least 1.5 L per day.
- Set up bowls of water or a humidifier near radiators if the air is dry, or if you use heating.
- Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your face and lips in sunny weather.
The URGO Product You Need: URGO Damaged Lips Ultra-Rich Balm
For the daily care of very dry to chapped lips, the ultra-rich balm based on purified honey, URGO DAMAGED LIPS, protects, soothes and repairs.
- Intensive repair of damaged lips
- Barrier effect: 24-hour hydration – protects against dehydration
- Nourishes, hydrates and softens lips
- Prevents chapping and cracking on the lips
The rich, creamy texture of URGO DAMAGED LIPS has a delicious honey scent.
What to Avoid to Protect Your Lips
- Don't lick your lips to moisten them: this dries them out even more!
- Don't bite your lips, and don't pull at flaking skin to remove it.
- Don't chew on pen tops or metal jewellery, and don't bite your nails...
- Don't use an old lip balm: it can dry out and encourage bacterial growth.
- Don't use irritant cosmetics.⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹
My Lips Are Cracked and Damaged, What Should I Do?
When lips are chapped, they can split and crack. Their skin is then not just dry and weakened: it is damaged. In this case, lips need intensive care with suitable products to deeply rehydrate them, repair the lesions and relieve the pain.
To do this, use:
- a rich balm over the whole surface of the lips, reapplying regularly;
- a targeted product designed to treat and protect the crack(s).
To help the crack heal, you can also:
- briefly apply a compress soaked in very cold water, or containing an ice cube, to soothe discomfort;
- avoid eating acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes...), or foods that are very salty or spicy;
- avoid drinking through a straw;
- stop any exfoliation on the lips while they are chapped and cracked.¹² ¹³
The URGO Product You Need: URGO Filmogel® Lip Cracks
URGO LIP CRACKS fills, repairs and protects lip cracks thanks to its innovative Filmogel® technology.
- Fills and repairs the crack quickly
- Cleanses thanks to its formula with tea tree essential oil
- Soothes immediately, throughout the day, and protects during meals
- 5-hour protection: purifying action – water-resistant
Compatible with make-up, URGO LIP CRACKS doesn't sting (alcohol-free).
Can be used alongside URGO DAMAGED LIPS balm.
To prevent damaged, cracked lips from coming back, follow our advice on caring for dry, chapped lips from the earliest stages of dryness.
