The cold is the enemy of the lips and skin. In winter the lips dehydrate ten times more than other parts of the body and pollution does not help to keep them soft and silky: this part is so delicate because it is protected only by a thin horny layer in which there are no hair follicles or even sebaceous glands. The same problem also applies to the skin, which is subjected to greater stress in order to defend itself. We discussed how to treat dry skin and lips in the coldest season of the year with Dr. Marta Brumana, dermatologist at Humanitas San Pio X.

The pollution, the number 2 enemy of the skin

If cold is the number one enemy of our lips and skin, pollution is in second place in the list of things that do not help us to keep them properly hydrated. Even some tricks, such as lip glosses, that would seem useful to moisten, actually worsen the symptoms, drying the lips even more. So the makeup is unsightly and only makes the problem worse.

No thermal changes

What most annoys and irritates the skin of the face and that of the lips are the climatic changes, which cause the furrows of dehydration. Pollutants and fine dust can also penetrate into the fissures and, in predisposed persons, can favour the onset of allergies. Protecting them with the right products to create a barrier can therefore make a difference.

The secret to success is consistent application. The most effective products are those based on urea and ceramides. The other important thing is to maintain a proper body hydration, which depends first of all on the diet, which should be rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Why are lips so delicate?

The lips are so delicate because they are protected only by a thin horny layer in which there are no hair follicles or sebaceous glands and there are very few melanocytes that can protect the lips from the pitfalls of the sun.

The dehydration of the lips can be accentuated in winter also because of the bad habit of licking and moistening them with saliva, to appease the feeling of dryness. Saliva contains acidic substances, the same substances in the mouth that allow a first digestion of food that can affect the integrity of the lips already tested by the cold and the flu. That’s why even if bathing them with saliva initially seems to give relief, this gesture in the long run helps to ruin them.

When it comes to choosing products, it is a good idea to give priority to those that contain an important moisturizing component, perhaps based on shea butter, borage oil, marigold, panthenol, argan oil. Better to avoid, instead, products containing silicones.

The effect of cold on the skin

“The cold narrows the blood vessels and thus reduces the flow of blood to the skin, which tends to dry up and produce less sebum – explained Dr. Brumana – the result is that the natural hydrolipidic film becomes thinner, also because of the humidity and the continuous temperature changes to which we are subjected.

In this period, we need a special attention for problematic skin, in particular acne, psoriasis and dermatitis and eczema”.