Everything You Need to Know About Chapped Lips—Plus, Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Pout
No matter what season it is, lips always seem prone to being chapped—from the harsh winter temperatures to the hot summer months, dry air draws moisture from the skin, which can lead to cracking, flaking, and a host of other annoying side effects.
We chatted with lip expert Sara Happ, Founder of Sara Happ—a line of best-selling lip care products designed to hydrate, heal, and nourish lips. Here, she answers some of the most commonly asked questions about what causes dry lips and shares tips and tricks for achieving the perfect pout:
What’s the best way to heal dry, chapped lips?
The best way to heal dry, chapped lips is to begin with a truly emollient balm—not one that dries you out, as most do. It’s the lip industry’s dirty little secret: you are addicted to your lip balm. The more you use, the drier you get, so the more you need to use. It’s a vicious cycle! We formulated our Lip Slip to do the exact opposite. The Lip Slip Balm hydrates with polymers and essential oils that your skin drinks in. It glides on like a thick, yummy cashmere blanket.
We also made a night cream version for your lips called The Dream Slip to tackle issues overnight when your skin naturally rejuvenates itself. Here’s the trick: sleep with The Dream Slip on for just one night and wake up (your Dream Slip will still be there hydrating, I promise!) and then scrub your lips with the Lip Scrub to remove the dead skin. Your lips will be smooth.
What causes flakes, extreme dryness, and cracking of lips?
All of these can be caused by harsh weather, travel, and more. Our lips are the only part of our body lacking oil glands, so they really can't help themselves—they are going to dry out if you don't topically hydrate them.
What’s the best way to prevent flaky lips?
It’s so simple! The best way to prevent flaky lips is to gently exfoliate and deeply hydrate. I use our Lip Scrub every single morning to remove that dull, grey top layer of dead skin on my lips, and then I hydrate that fresh, baby-smooth skin daily with The Lip Slip and nightly with The Dream Slip. I honestly don't remember what flaky lips feel like because I've been “Scrubbing + Slipping" every day for 12 years! It's about consistency and using products that work so you are preventing issues versus having to fix them.
Should one wear lip product at all times, even for bed? If so, what do you recommend for nighttime?
It really depends on what you prefer! I'm obsessed with lip products (obviously!), so I always have at least our Lip Slip on. Customers were asking for a version of the Lip Slip without any shine that they could wear to bed, so we did them one better and removed the shine, plus added extra hydrating ingredients and chamomile for a great overnight experience. You wake up with the lips of your dreams!
How does lip care differ from winter to summer?
Harsh cold wind whipping against your face can be really tough on lips, but so can dry, summer weather. The key is to prevent either season from hurting your lips by Scrubbing and Slipping every day year-round.
For more information and to purchase Sara Happ products, visit sarahapp.com and follow the brand on Instagram: @sarahapp
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk