Tag Archive for: lips

In anticipation of our biggest launch yet, Lip Therapy, we sat down with Dr. Goldfaden to learn all about the lips and why we need to protect them. 

Please explain the anatomy of the lips and why they are more delicate and more easily dried out than the rest of the skin?

The lips are almost continuous with the internal parts of our body – that is to say, the lips are the transition area between the skin and the mucosa (the inner lining of the mouth). The skin overlying the lips is extremely thin and frail covering large amounts of blood vessels. The lip tissue’s cell turnover is much quicker than our facial skin. The stratum corneum, the dry scaly part of the skin and what we exfoliate off, do not really form and is almost nonexistent on the lip. The lips have no oil glands and no real protective barrier and so they dry out quickly. Many people who breathe more heavily through their mouths (mouth breathers) have the constant movement of air which can lead to dehydration.

What are some common ways we dry and damage our lips?

Since the lips have no protective barrier, climate and weather can affect the health of the lips. Wind, temperature and ultraviolet light can damage and dry out the lips. The Sun can damage the outer layer of the lips and cause them to not function properly.

Constant inflammation of the lips, which comes from external sources such as foods, spices, smoking/cigarettes, eating hot food, makeup and artificial coloring found in glosses or lipsticks are all considered ‘irritants. Excessive licking and biting the lips can also cause damage. 

Since we may be wearing them for a while, are masks good or bad for the lips?

Wearing a mask is actually more protective than not. Masks stop water loss from the lips, protect against the sun, wind, extreme temperatures and keep humidity in. Negative side effects could be artificial dyes in the mask’s material. Look for masks free of artificial dyes and made from natural fibers.

“The best protection for lips is prevention. Once you find a lip balm or chapstick you like, buy a bunch and keep one in each bag, night table and coat!”

Which Ingredients should we look for in a lip treatment?

Understand which ingredients are helpful, as some products actually dry the lips out! Optimal ingredients to use are Sea buckhorn oil (promotes hydration and elasticity), Borage oil (anti-inflammatory, calming, anti-oxidant) and Vitamin E (helps protect against free radical damage).

What to stay away from if your lips are chapped?

  • Citrus
  • Matte lipsticks
  • Menthol, Camphor or Eucalyptus products – as they may sting
  • Lip plumping products
  • The elements (wind, sun, etc.) – Cover your face with a scarf when outdoors
  • Biting or picking
  • Salty food
  • Spicy food
  • Acid-based skincare products

 

The results are in on our NEW Lip Therapy Treatment! Formulated to boost, hydrate and condition your lips! Dr. Goldfaden’s antioxidant-rich, concentrated treatment nourishes and revitalizes with an enriched blend of powerful moisturizers and a multi-active peptide complex.

The lips have multiple issues stacked against them, such as having no sebaceous glands and zero sweat glands, which means no self hydration ability and therefore very prone to dehydration. Dr. G always handpicks the innovative ingredients in our products and Lip Therapy Treatment is no exception. The five ingredients below provide everything your lips need to stay hydrated, smooth and plump.

  • Fruit Berry Wax: This soft wax derived from the Rhus Vernucuflua Tree, which is rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Peptide Complex: Tribehenin and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 work together to moisturize the lips, increase firmness and create a smoother, more defined pout.
  • Vitamin E: This antioxidant nourishes, hydrates and protects skin from harmful free radicals.
  • Borage Oil: Full of antioxidants, naturally occurring Vitamins and Linoleic Acid, this oil acts as an ultra-anti-inflammatory ingredient and helps to restore hydration.
  • Sea Buckthorn Oil: This oil promotes skin hydration, elasticity and skin regeneration.

The Results

We not only test products within Dr. G’s dermatology practice, but also on everyday consumers to make sure we are on the mark when it comes to product efficiency. The below data was collected from 53 participants who used Lip Therapy for 14 days straight.

  • 94% agreed that their lips were instantly hydrated
  • 89% agreed that their lips looked smoother
  • 85% agreed that lips feel baby soft
  • 83% agreed that lips look healthier

Available now on goldfadenmd.com – Pucker Up!


Chapped lips are a serious issue during the winter for many people. As with your winter skincare regimen, the lips need a winter plan too. Did you know that the lips are the driest place on the body? Lips have no sebaceous glands and zero sweat glands. Here are a few tips to get ahead of the game.

  1. Sleep with a humidifier on as this adds humidity to the air (hydration)!
  2. Exfoliate the lips. Try our favorite Bite Beauty’s Whipped Cherry Lip Scrub. A delicious lip mousse that conditions, fights free radicals and exfoliates by utilizing Resveratrol, Fruit acids and Rice Bran. Do not exfoliate chapped lips.
  3. Wear SPF on the lips even during the winter. UV rays are still prevalent during the winter months.
  4. Do not lick or bite your lips.
  5. Stay hydrated. Humidity drops during the winter so drink fluids and lots of water.
  6. Cover Up! If it’s windy or cold wear a scarf around your mouth and nose area.

907c9131ea19a1ef64b15160694ad4f4Photo via Total Beauty

Ingredients to look for:

Understand which ingredients are helpful, as some chap sticks dry the lip out! Good ingredients to look for are Almond Oil, Beeswax (acts as a protective barrier), Lanolin, Vitamin E and Shea Butter. Coconut oil may feel soothing too as it is antibacterial, anti fungal and anti microbial.

Ingredients to avoid if lips are chapped:

Citrus- no juice or fruit as this acid will sting open cuts on the lips.

Matte lipsticks- as good as it looks, this will dry lips out more.

Menthol, Camphor or Eucalyptus products-these can be common in lip balms, but can sting and irritate already cracked lips.

Lip plumpers- as these utilize cinnamon or chili to irritate lips and bring blood to them, they’re not good for dry or irritated lips.

The elements (wind, sun etc.) – Cover your face with a scarf when outdoors.

Biting or picking- will dry the lips, make them look flaky and make them bleed in severe cases.

Salty food- will dry lips and mouth which may cause more lip licking-can also sting the lips

Spicy food- same as above

Acid based skincare products- careful with acid products for thecae as they may spread to the lip are causing more irritation and or burning.

The best protection for lips is prevention. Once you find a lip balm or chap stick you like, buy a bunch and keep one in each bag! A few of our favorites: Dr. Lipp, Bite Beauty, Badger.