We’re all going through changes right now: what with washing our hands more than usual, the harsh winter weather, and not to mention all that mask-wearing. When dialing back on washing your hands and wearing a mask isn’t an option, your skin’s natural moisture barrier starts paying for the consequences.
The skin on your lips is the thinnest piece of skin on your entire body. To put things into perspective, the outermost layer of skin on your lips is only 3-4 layers thick, whereas your skin is elsewhere is around 15-16 layers thick. This makes the lip area very vulnerable to environmental factors such as pollution and UV light.
When it comes to your hands, there are a few things to keep in mind before treating your skin. The first is to consider the difference in thickness of skin on different parts of your hands. The skin on your palms and pads of your fingers and thumbs is thick, plump, and tough, whereas the skin on the back of your hands is very thin and is easily damaged.
The second thing to note is that the hands have little to no hair follicles. The sebaceous glands are usually attached to hair follicles, so having less hair here means that your hands can have barrier issues. This explains why your hands get dry so easily.
8 Beauty Tips For Lips and Hands
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Drink more water
Drinking more water can help dry skin, but it’s only one factor. Experts agree it’s vital to also consider topical treatments that include ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
2. Stop licking your lips
What you probably don’t know is that saliva contains digestive enzymes, which wear down your lips over time.
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Remove all your makeup before bed
And by all, we mean your lipstick, too. That is unless you want to wake up with dry, chapped lips. If makeup remover isn’t enough for removing your long-wear lipstick, then try Vaseline for removal and hydration.
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Try a chemical exfoliator
It is important to remove dead skin cells as it will allow moisture to absorb into your skin more effectively. Chemical exfoliators such as glycolic and salicylic acid are the perfect way to brighten skin while softening at the same time. Your lips and hands will be left feeling silky and moisturised.
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Oil up
Lip and hand oils can penetrate much deeper than cream, making them a must-have for every bedside table. Many are formulated with conditioning and healing ingredients, so even the most chapped skin will breathe a sigh of relief.
Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash
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Lip balm is your best friend
Your sebaceous glands are responsible for protecting your skin and keeping it hydrated. It’s no surprise, then, that your lips are lacking in this department and are more vulnerable to environmental aggressors, meaning they tend to dry more quickly than other areas.
The best lip balms should immediately soothe dry lips and work to prevent moisture loss in the future. Look for hydrators like plant oils and emollients, and protectants like beeswax and cocoa butter, and steer clear of fragrances that can be irritating.
My top three lip balm recommendations:
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Never leave home without hand cream
Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels
You should be moisturising your hands frequently, especially during winter. Look out for products that include at least one of these three ingredients: glycolic acid, vitamin C, vitamin B, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid.
My top three hand cream recommendations:
- OPTIPHI Renew Anti-Aging Hand Therapy
- TEAM Dr Joseph Daily Cellular Hand Cream SPF10
- CURALOE Aloe Vera Hand & Body Lotion
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Protect your lips and hands from the sun
People most often forget to apply sunscreen to their hands and lips despite the fact that they are almost always exposed, making them more susceptible to sun damage.
Your lips do not have enough melanin to protect your lips from harmful UV rays, so the golden rule is to apply a lip balm and hand cream with SPF despite the weather.
Want to know more?
Summer may seem like the perfect time of the year. However, warmer seasons come with their beauty drawbacks. So, here are seven summer tips for your skin and hair.
