How is the skin on my lips different to other skin?
Lip skin is much thinner than the skin on the rest of your face. It has fewer melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that give skin its color and protects from UV radiation) and so lips appear red. Lip skin doesn’t have any sweat or sebaceous glands. These glands play a key role in maintaining moisture levels and so the fact that there aren’t any in lip skin makes our lips particularly prone to drying out.
What causes lips to become dry and cracked?
As with most skin conditions, genetics play a role and some people are more prone to dry, cracked lips than others.
Lip skin is thinner than a lot of other skin and doesn’t have any sweat or sebaceous glands. These glands play a key role in producing protective oils that maintain moisture levels and, without them, lips are prone to drying out.
The weather is a significant trigger. People tend to suffer from dry, cracked lips during dry, hot weather or cold windy weather, and so those who spend a lot of time outside due to their jobs or leisure activities are likely to suffer more than others.
Some medications (including medical acne treatments) can cause lips to dry out and crack. And, if you lick you lips regularly, this can also lead to dryness.
You can read more about the causes of dry, cracked lips and how to take care of them in our article.
How often should I apply Eucerin Aquaphor SOS Lip Repair?
You can apply Eucerin Aquaphor Lip Repair whenever your lips feel dry and tight, and as often as you like. The handy 10ml squeeze tube makes it easy to pop in your bag and carry around with you wherever you go.
What is the advantage of a lip balm over a stick?
Dry, cracked lips are often sensitive and can hurt if you apply pressure. A balm is softer and easier to apply because it is more spreadable. A stick needs a bit more pressure and so is more suited for occasionally dry lips that need a bit of extra moisturization now and then. However, first and foremost, it is about personal preference so you should choose the product that works best for you.
Eucerin Aquaphor SOS Lip Repair has been formulated to be used whenever lips send out SOS signals. The translucent balm has a pleasant ointment-like texture and comes in an applicator tube and so is easy to apply gently, evenly and directly to your lips.
What is the difference between this and the Aquaphor Repairing Ointment?
The SOS Lip Repair has been specially formulated with ingredients suitable for lips / the mouth area and comes in a handy applicator tube that makes it easy apply directly to your lips.
Eucerin Aquaphor Repairing Ointment is ideal for dry, cracked and irritated skin on other problem areas of skin such as the knees and elbows, cracked knuckles and cuticles and cracked heels. It is also suitable for use on babies and children, on minor burns and on skin after superficial dermatological procedures such as laser treatment treatments and chemical peels2. Skin is regenerated, protected and repaired.
2 Eucerin Aquaphor Repairing Ointment should only be used on re-epithelialized skin (i.e. once new tissue has formed) and not on open, wet or bleeding wounds. Ask your Dermatologist for advice on how long you should wait after treatment before using the product.
