Lip Service

The best force fields of protection for your lips

Lips take more of a beating than most other parts of your body, and if you think about it, they really never get a break. Since they're made of some of the thinnest skin on the body, lack oil and sweat glands, and their only source of moisture is saliva, it's no wonder they so easily get dry and chapped. Low humidity (especially in winter) and breathing through your mouth are other drying culprits, says Anne Chapas, M.D., medical director for Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City. The best thing you can do for your lips, so they will have a reason to smile again, is to protect, nourish and treat them with lip balm.

Here, our top picks for lip TLC:

Maximum Moisture
When your pout is so parched it starts to peel and crack, an infusion of deep moisture is needed. La Roche-Posay Nutritic Lips is made with thermal spring water, lipids and ceramides, which all attract water to the lips and keep it there. The ultrafine formula means that your lips won't feel greasy and will repair themselves with continued use.

Everyday Wear
Even if your pout seems soft and plush, all it takes is a day of licking your lips to dry it out. Using a balm like Maybelline Baby Lips SPF 20 Lip Moisturizing Balm daily under lipstick will keep your lips soft and smooth and prevent moisture loss.

Plus, the SPF in the formula protects your pucker from harmful ultraviolet rays, which, as you know, penetrate year-round.

For Lips That Live Hard
If your lips are showing the lines of a lifetime of wear and tear, a specialized formula focused on repair, such as Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Lip Care, will help keep them looking younger and give skin extra protection from further signs of aging. A complex of peptides, antioxidants and moisturizers work overtime to reduce the signs of wrinkles, guard against free radicals and restore moisture.

Sensitive Puckers
Lips can be just as sensitive to ingredients as the rest of your face. If your skin tends to be reactive, try a natural formula like Hempz Pure Herbal Extracts Lips. It's enriched with 100 percent pure organic hemp seed oil and blended with natural extracts to provide hydration and nourishment that will improve the health and condition of your lips.