Summer Tips For Your Lips

We know that most people tend to focus on lip care during winter and the colder months as the symptoms from the cold are more obviously visible on our faces. The skin around the mouth and nose is usually sore from changing temperatures, harsh air-conditioning or the symptoms from cold and flu, but we shouldn’t forget that lips also need a little help during the warmer months. Hay fever can also cause sore, cold-like conditions around the mouth and nose.

Lip care is vital throughout the year, but summer heat, like the winter cold, can take its toll on our skin and lips. Did you know that sebum, a natural oil which keeps our skin moisturised, is absent in our lips – so it’s vital to hydrate and moisturise them at regular intervals.

Everyone knows SPF is the obvious must during the warmer months, but taking care of the thin skin on and around your lips is also key, as sun burn and blistering can lead to split lips, and even flare up cold sores. Ouch.

If you’re wondering why dry lips cause redness or irritation during summer, then read below to discover our top tips for battling the summer elements.

It may sound obvious, but hydration during the summer (both internally and externally) is key – so ensure you drink plenty of water and keep your fluid levels topped up. Our skin and hair can dry out from the humidity and so can your lips – but resist the temptation to lick them. When you lick your lips, the saliva evaporates, leaving them drier than before, and this can create irritation. Chapped lips can then cause dry, flaky skin which starts a vicious cycle. Plus, if you’re a fan of lipstick, keeping your lips soft and supple provides an ideal base for application.

If you have the urge to lick your lips, reach for your favourite lip balm instead and apply several times throughout the day to keep them smooth, soft and hydrated.

If your lips are already chapped, or they feel flaky, a once weekly exfoliation can be a beneficial addition to your routine. We recommend a gentle buff with a soft, non-harsh lip exfoliator Iike our Pineapple Lip Scrub. The rich, vegan formula is packed with fine sugarcane crystals to lightly polish away dead skin cells, helping reveal fresh radiant skin underneath – and evening out any imperfections. Follow immediately with your balm of choice and keep applying whenever you feel lips drying out.

If you’re not a fan of a weekly deeper exfoliation, but think skin around mouth dry or flaky, a recent trend is to lightly brush your lips with a soft toothbrush, flannel or washcloth every morning or night – which can help keep your lips looking smooth, fresh and radiant.

In short, here are our top 5 tips for summer lips: 

Yes, yes, we know we sound like a broken record, but drinking plenty of H₂O really is key to keeping your skin and lips looking their best. Remember, unlike the rest of your skin, lips can chap and dry out quickly as they don’t contain oil glands. If you’re in the office, or working from home, ensure you keep water at hand to keep your levels continually topped up, keeping your skin hydrated from within.

No, we’re not crazy. A light exfoliation with a wet flannel, washcloth or soft toothbrush can help slough off dead skin, revealing new skin cells underneath. Dry lips cause additional problems later on, so this helps them look and feel fresh and radiant while offering an ideal base to apply a nourishing balm.

A once weekly exfoliation with a natural sugar scrub can really help lip health – promoting new cell turnover and evening out skin tone. A gentle buff with a soft, non-harsh lip exfoliator Iike our Pineapple Lip Scrub  should do the trick. However, if you suffer from very cracked, sore or split lips – we’d recommend avoiding this stage and just continuing with several balm applications a day until they feel better.

Applying a good facial moisturizer with SPF will help keep your complexion and the thinner skin around your lips hydrated and protected from the sun.

We can’t say it enough, more is more when it comes to the summer months. Ensure you have your fave balms to hand and apply regularly throughout the day to keep lips smooth and hydrated. If you’re travelling or heading on vacation, make sure you take your balms with you on your flights. The air conditioning on planes can really dry out your lips, so apply before take off and make sure you top up regularly before landing.

Summer lip care doesn’t have to be a chore – at Bali Balm we believe that looking after your lips should be a fun and pleasurable experience. So, this season why not explore our incredible flavour pairings and take your skincare routine to the next level. If you’re a fan of fruity florals why not try our mesmerising Mango & Jasmine lip balm? Or if you want to try something different, our chef-curated Strawberry & Basil lip balm offers a unique and unforgettable sensorial experience that will lips craving more.