Lip Basting May Be The Secret To Curing Dry Lips

Changes in weather can affect your skin and hair. Most people tend to experience dry, itchy skin in cold weather, for instance. This typically occurs during the colder months when the air becomes drier. The lack of moisture in the air makes it difficult for your skin to stay hydrated and causes dry, irritated skin. The same phenomenon affects the delicate skin of your lips. Dry, chapped lips are a telltale sign of cold weather and can be annoying to treat, especially for those who experience chronically dry lips.

If you've tried abrasive sugar scrubs, fancy lip balms, and disappointing home remedies to no avail, then this secret lip care hack might just change your life. Dermatologist Shereen Idriss has unlocked the secret to curing chapped lips for good and shared her "lip basting" hack via TikTok. Dr. Idriss swears by her lip basting method for severely dry lips, which works similar to how one bastes a Thanksgiving turkey to prevent the meat from drying out. Although basting certainly puts a strange picture in one's mind, this method is undeniably a game-changer for chapped lip girlies. Here is everything you need to know about lip basting for dry lips.

The first step in the lip-basting method involves the use of a chemical exfoliant. Exfoliating acids work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal the smooth layer of skin underneath (SOURCE). For lip basting, Dr. Idriss recommends using glycolic acid, such as the Ordinary 7% Glycolic Exfoliating Toner or L'Oréal Revitalift 10% Glycolic Acid Serum. Chemical exfoliants are generally safe to use on the skin of your lips; however, if you are prone to cold sores, you may want to avoid glycolic acid altogether and opt for a different type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), such as lactic acid, which is a less potent chemical exfoliant (via Paula's Choice).

It's important to note that lip basting requires the use of an AHA, specifically, as opposed to a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). The reason is that AHAs work by sloughing off the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, while BHAs penetrate deeper into the skin layer and may cause irritation to your lip's sensitive skin. To apply the exfoliating acid, dispense a pea-sized amount and apply an even layer across your lips with a cotton swab or finger. Let the exfoliant sit undisturbed on your lips until dry to allow the solution to properly absorb before moving on to the next step.

The second step of this popular lip care hack involves sealing in the moisture with a rich emollient or ointment. In Dr. Idriss' TikTok video, she can be seen using Weleda Skin Food Cream. If you are sensitive to essential oils, however, you may want to try another rich ointment such as La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 or even an occlusive product such as Aquaphor or Vaseline. The key to this method is to be generous with the application of your chosen ointment. Exfoliating the dry top layer of your lips and subsequently applying a heavy-duty ointment allows the new, smooth skin on your lips to retain moisture.

Lip basting offers long-lasting hydration that can help combat the effects of dry weather, though, along with many other skincare hacks, it requires consistency to work long-term. Depending on your skin type, you can use this lip care hack two to three times a week until symptoms improve. For instance, Dr. Idriss "bastes" regularly and allows the hydration to melt into her lips as she applies her morning makeup. You can also use this buff-and-seal method overnight for more effective results. If you decide to follow Dr. Idriss' example and prepare your lips in the morning, make sure to follow up with SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.