Lip Care and Balms

Why are lips so delicate?

Unlike the rest of the face, the skin on the lips lacks a hydrolipidic film to protect it. The absence of sebaceous glands deprives this area of naturally protective sebum, and the absence of sweat glands eliminates regulation through perspiration. The vermilion—the visible pink part of the lip—is actually a semi-mucous membrane, halfway between the skin of the face and the oral mucosa.

This physiological characteristic explains why the lips are the first to show signs of dehydration: tightness, flaking, redness, and chapping appear quickly as soon as the environment becomes harsh. Proper lip care is therefore not just a matter of vanity: it’s a real necessity, especially in winter or during prolonged sun exposure.

What signs indicate that your lips need care?

There are several warning signs that should prompt you to establish an appropriate care routine:

• Tightness and a feeling of dryness: the first stage, which is still reversible with proper lip hydration.
• Dead skin and flaking: the stratum corneum is peeling away, a sign of dehydration that has already set in.
• Chapped lips, cracks, and fissures: painful breaks in the skin, sometimes accompanied by bleeding, that appear when the skin loses its elasticity.
• Redness and inflammation: irritation often worsened by the habit of licking or biting the lips.
• Dehydration lines: small vertical lines around the mouth, particularly visible when smiling.
• Cracks at the corners of themouth: These should be distinguished from simple chapping—they may be angular cheilitis, which requires medical attention.

What causes dry and chapped lips?

External factors

Cold, wind, dry air from heating or air conditioning, and UV rays are among the primary causes of dry lips. Sudden temperature changes between indoors and outdoors, high altitudes in the mountains, and prolonged sun exposure without adequate sun protection can permanently weaken the lips’ skin barrier.

Internal and medication-related causes

Although less commonly discussed in the cosmetics industry, systemic causes are nevertheless common in pharmacies. General dehydration (insufficient fluid intake), certain vitamin deficiencies —particularly vitamins B, C, and E—as well as tobacco, alcohol, and excessive coffee consumption contribute to chronic dry lips.

Several medications can also dry out the lips: oral retinoids prescribed for severe acne (such as isotretinoin), certain diuretics, antihistamines, and antidepressants. Hormonal imbalances related to pregnancy, menopause, or hypothyroidism may also be a factor. If you experience persistent, unexplained dryness despite following a proper skincare routine, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Which lip care product should you choose based on your needs?

There’s a wide range of lip care products available: the key is to identify the right format for the right use.

For daily moisturizing

For daily preventive care, a product rich in nourishing ingredients—shea butter, beeswax, jojoba oil, castor oil—is enough to keep your lips comfortable. Discover our complete selection of lip balms suitable for all skin types.

To repair severely damaged lips

For chapped, cracked, or sore lips, opt for an intensive repair treatment. Formulas enriched with sucralfate, thermal water, cold cream, or shea butter provide rapid repair. Applying a thick layer at bedtime, like a mask, accelerates healing overnight.

To protect against the sun and cold

Lips are particularly vulnerable to UV rays: their thin skin and low pigmentation leave them susceptible to sunburn and even long-term actinic lesions. Lip sun protection is essential during any prolonged exposure—whether in the mountains, at the beach, during outdoor sports, or while sailing. For targeted protection, check out our lip sun sticks with the appropriate SPF.

To exfoliate and smooth

Once or twice a week, a gentle lip scrub helps remove dead skin cells and stimulate microcirculation. The routine: Apply the scrub with your fingertip using gentle circular motions, rinse with lukewarm water, then immediately apply a nourishing treatment to take advantage of the “prepped skin” effect.

To plump and enhance

Plumping serums, lip oils, and tinted lip treatments combine skincare with cosmetic benefits: radiance, volume, and natural color. These hybrid products are particularly well-suited for those who want to simplify their routine by combining light makeup with continuous hydration.

What lip care routine should you follow?

An effective routine consists of a few simple steps to incorporate every day:

1. Hydrate from the inside: adequate fluid intake—1.5 to 2 liters of water per day—remains the foundation of good lip hydration.
2. Exfoliate once a week: a gentle scrub removes dead skin cells and improves the absorption of subsequent treatments.
3. Moisturize morning and night: use a nourishing treatment when you wake up, and a richer, reparative treatment before bed.
4. Protect before exposure: Use an appropriate SPF before any prolonged exposure to the sun, wind, or cold.
5. Avoid habits that worsen the condition: don’t lick your lips (saliva accelerates drying) and don’t pick at dead skin.

The Pharmacist’s Advice

With eighteen years of experience in the pharmacy, I regularly observe that chronically dry lips often indicate an underlying cause: nutritional deficiency, medication, dehydration, or sometimes a thyroid disorder. Before piling on cosmetic products, consider whether there might be an internal cause and don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.

Also, always choose alcohol-free, fragrance-free, menthol-free, and camphor-free products for severely chapped lips: these ingredients provide an immediate cooling sensation but actually worsen irritation and delay healing. Opt for hypoallergenic formulas and recognized active ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax, sucralfate, or thermal spring water.

Lip Care: When Should You See a Doctor?

Certain situations go beyond the realm of cosmetics and warrant immediate medical attention:

• Persistent cracks at the corners of the mouth: this may be angular cheilitis, often caused by a fungal or bacterial infection, which requires appropriate medical treatment.
• Blisters, scabs, and localized pain: suspected cold sores, commonly known as fever blisters.
• Chronically chapped lips that show no improvement despite a consistent skincare routine: this may indicate cheilitis or even a systemic cause that needs to be investigated.
• Persistent unusual lesion: Any lesion that does not heal within a few weeks should be shown to a doctor or dermatologist, especially in people with chronic sun exposure.

Our selection of lip care products available at the Soin et Nature online pharmacy features the best products from French and European manufacturers, recommended by your pharmacist.

What facial care products can you find on the Soin-et-Nature website?

Soin-et-Nature offers a complete range of facial care products to meet the specific needs of every skin type. Here are the available categories:

• To gently cleanse your skin, facial cleansers remove impurities while maintaining the skin’s natural balance.
• For a light, airy texture and effective cleansing, facial cleansing foams provide a refreshing and lightweight experience.
• To keep your skin supple and radiant, moisturizers provide optimal hydration tailored to your skin type.
• To reduce shine and even out your complexion, mattifying products control excess oil throughout the day.
• For soft, luminous skin, scrubs and exfoliants remove dead skin cells and refine skin texture.
• For intense hydration and deep cleansing, hydrating and purifying masks revitalize your face.
• To protect and nourish your lips, specialized products moisturize and repair this delicate area.
• To tone and refresh your skin after cleansing, lotions and toners rebalance the skin’s pH.
• For daily hydration tailored to your needs, day creams protect and nourish the skin throughout the day.
• For optimal nighttime regeneration, night creams support cell repair and renewal.
• For effective and gentle makeup removal, micellar water cleanses and purifies in a single step.
• For deep exfoliation, peels remove embedded impurities and boost the skin’s radiance.
• For targeted and concentrated action, facial serums offer solutions tailored to your skin’s specific needs.
• To soothe and restore delicate skin, reparative creams accelerate skin regeneration.

These facial care products available on Soin-et-Nature allow you to care for your skin every day, combining effectiveness, gentleness, and respect for the specific needs of every skin type.