Guide to Lip Care and Choosing a Suitable Moisturiser

Lip skin is thin and has no oil glands, so it dries quickly with dry air, air conditioning and sun, familiar conditions in Saudi Arabia throughout summer and winter.

Dermatologists' Advice for Dry Lips

Apply lip moisturiser several times daily and before bed.
Stop licking or biting lips and picking flakes; saliva evaporates and increases dryness.
Drink enough water and use a bedroom humidifier if you breathe through your mouth at night.
For very cracked lips, a layer of white petroleum jelly retains moisture longer than waxes and oils.
Use lip moisturiser with factor 30 or higher before going into the sun.

How to Read Lip-Moisturiser Ingredients

Dermatologists identify useful lip ingredients such as castor oil, ceramide, dimethicone, mineral oils and petroleum jelly. Other ingredients may irritate dry lips in some people, including fragrances, flavours, camphor, menthol and eucalyptus. If a particular moisturiser makes your lips drier or redder, try an unflavoured option.

Correct Use

Apply a thin layer to clean, dry lips, covering both lips to their edges. Reapply after eating, drinking and ablution, and whenever they feel dry. Cold days or long periods in air conditioning may require more frequent use. When fasting, a thicker layer after the pre-dawn meal and before bed can help. Do not share lip moisturiser, particularly pots applied with a finger, and close the pack securely after each use.

Daily Lip Moisturisers

Labello Original Lip Balm 4.8 g— original Labello lip moisturiser in a 4.8 g stick.
Sebamed Lip Defense Lip Balm 4.8 g— Sebamed Lip Defense moisturiser for daily use.
Carmex Lip Balm Jar 7.5 g— a lip moisturiser in a 7.5 g pot.
Chapstick Lip Balm Stick— a lip moisturiser in a portable stick.
QV Lip Balm 15 g— a QV lip moisturiser in a 15 g pack.
Labello Men Care Lip Balm 5.5 ml— a Labello lip moisturiser for men.

Moisturisers With Colour or Flavour

These combine moisturising with light shine or a pleasant flavour, suitable for those without lip irritation.

Labello Blackberry Shine Lip Care Balm 5.5 ml— Labello blackberry-flavoured moisturiser with light shine.
Labello Pomegranate Shine Lip Balm 4.8 g— Labello pomegranate moisturiser with light shine.
Labello Watermelon Lip Balm 4.8 g— Labello watermelon-flavoured moisturiser.
Labello Soft Rose Lip Balm 4.8 g— Labello moisturiser with a light pink tint.
Sebamed Lip Defense Cherry Lip Balm 4.8 g— cherry-flavoured Sebamed Lip Defense moisturiser.
Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips Lip Balm 20 g— Vaseline Lip Therapy with a rosy tint in a 20 g pack.
Beesline Shimmery Strawberry Lip Balm 4 g— a glossy strawberry lip moisturiser.
Raw African Lip Shield Balm 15 ml— a balm-texture lip moisturiser from Raw African.

Lip Moisturiser With Sun Protection

Lips are exposed to sun like the rest of the face, so dermatologists recommend a moisturiser with at least factor 30 outdoors during the day, reapplied after eating or drinking.

Sebamed Lip Defense SPF 30 Strawberry Lip Balm 4.8 g— a strawberry lip moisturiser with factor 30.

Intensive Night Care

For very cracked lips, apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly before bed to retain moisture overnight.

Vaseline Blueseal Original Petroleum Jelly 50 ml— original petroleum jelly in a small 50 ml pack, suitable as a night layer for lips.

Children's Lips

Children's lips may dry from repeated licking and cold air. Choose a moisturiser intended for children and teach the child not to lick their lips.

Sebamed Baby Lip Balm 4.8 g— a Sebamed lip moisturiser for children.

Common Mistakes

Waiting for cracks before moisturising instead of using moisturiser daily for prevention.
Overusing flavoured moisturiser that encourages continual lip licking.
Exfoliating cracked lips harshly.
Forgetting lip sun protection on summer days and outings.

Consult a pharmacist or doctor if lips do not improve after two to three weeks of regular care, or if cracks at the mouth corners or blisters appear. Browse more in the Moisturising and Sun Protection sections.