The (8 Simple) Rules of Lip and Hand Care

We’re all going through changes right now: what with washing our hands more than usual, the harsh winter weather, and not to mention all that mask-wearing… While dialling back on washing your hands and wearing a mask isn’t an option, your skin’s natural moisture barrier is paying the consequences. Your new mission in life? To learn everything there is to know about caring for your lips and hands. Starting right now.

6 Surprising Facts About Your Lips and Hands

But first, 6 facts about your lips and hands that will surprise you.

1.  The Skin on Your Lips Is Thinner Than It Is in Any Other Place on Your Body

The outermost layer of skin (or stratum corneum) on your lips is only 3-4 layers thick (compared to 15-16 layers thick in general). The thinner the skin, the more vulnerable the area is to environmental factors (such as pollution and UV light).

2.  The Skin on Your Palms Is Different to That of the Back of Your Hands

The skin on your palms (and pads of your fingers and thumbs) is thick, plump, and tough. By contrast, the skin on the back of your hands is very thin and easily damaged.

3.  Lips Thin With Age

As you age, your body produces less collagen, and as a result your lips slowly lose volume.

4.  Your Lips Don’t Have Oil Glands

Your sebaceous (or oil) glands are responsible for protecting your skin and keeping it hydrated. It’s no surprise, then, that your lips (sadly lacking in this department) are more vulnerable to environmental aggressors (i.e. wind, cold, sun, etc.) and tend to dry more quickly than other areas.

5.  Your Hands Have Little or No Hair Follicles

Sebaceous glands are usually attached to hair follicles, so little or no hair means (you guessed it) that your hands can have barrier issues. This explains why your hands get so easily dry, sore, and crack.

6.  Your Lips Don’t Have Enough Melanin

Melanin (a skin pigment) protects your skin from harmful UV rays. Your lip skin has very little melanin, so to make up for it, your lips need extra sun protection.

The (8 Simple) Rules of Lip and Hand Care

Knowing what you’re dealing with helps. And now, for our best advice on treatments for dry, chapped skin on your hands and lips.

1.  Drink More Water

The secret to smooth skin? Drinking water, of course. But can drinking water really hydrate your skin? Drinking more water can help dry skin, but it’s only one factor. Experts agree it’s vital not to overlook topical treatments like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

2.  Stop Licking Your Lips

By now you know that your lips don’t have the best defences against the elements. Which is why this rule is the most important (but possibly the hardest to put into practice). Like all bad habits, licking your lips feels good in the moment. What you probably don’t know is that saliva contains digestive enzymes which wear down your lips over time.

3.  Remove All of Your Makeup Before Bed

And by all, we mean your lipstick, too. That is, unless you want to wake up with dry, chapped lips. If makeup remover isn’t enough for removing your long wear lipstick, then try Vaseline for removal and hydration.

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4.  Try a Scrub

Think your lips and hands are smooth? They can be smoother! By removing dead skin cells, scrubs allow moisture to absorb into your skin more effectively. Scrubs are the perfect way to brighten skin while softening at the same time. Your lips and hands will be left feeling silky and moisturised.

5.  Try an Oil

Lip and hand oils can penetrate much deeper than cream, making them a must-have for every bedside table. Many are formulated with conditioning and healing ingredients, so even the most chapped skin will breathe a sigh of relief. Trust us when we say they have nourishing powers!

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5.  Never Leave Home Without Lip Balm

The best lip balms should immediately soothe dry lips and work to prevent moisture loss in the future. Look for hydrators like plant oils and emollients, and protectants like beeswax and cocoa butter. Steer clear of fragrances (which can be irritating).

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7.  Never Leave Home Without Hand Cream

You should be moisturising your hands frequently, especially during winter. How to find the best hand cream for dry skin? One that’s not too thick and not too greasy? Try to find one that has at least three of these ingredients: glycolic acid, vitamin C, vitamin B, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid.

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8.  Protect Them From the Sun

Your lips and hands are almost always exposed, making them super susceptible to sun damage and even skin cancer. No matter the weather, everyone needs lip balm and hand cream with SPF. Well, luckily for you, there’s no shortage of lip balms and hand creams with SPF out there!

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BONUS: How to Get Younger Looking Lips

Lip wrinkles and a loss of plumpness can make you look older. For immediate results, opt for lip fillers, or try anti-aging lip products to boost moisture, improve definition, and enhance volume.

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BONUS: The Best Ways to Remove Age Spots

Age spots (also called sunspots) are brown patches that look like freckles. You can prevent them, but some people do tend to develop more age spots than others. The best ways to remove age spots include creams with vitamin C, as well as microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

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Now go on and give your lip balm and hand cream a workout.

Yours in skin,
Dr Alek and the SkinMiles Team