Quick answer: A simple lip care routine has three parts: a fragrance-free balm through the day, an SPF 30 or higher lip balm when you’re outside, and a thick ointment at night. The AAD recommends reapplying SPF lip balm every 2 hours outdoors, and says thick ointments such as white petroleum jelly seal in water longer than waxes or oils (AAD).
Table of Contents
Lip care routine: 5 steps
- Morning: apply an SPF 30+ lip balm with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
- Day: reapply every 2 hours outdoors and after eating or drinking.
- Evening: remove lipstick gently with a soft cloth or remover.
- Night: a thick layer of ointment or rich balm before bed.
- Weekly: a gentle scrub or mask if lips feel flaky.
Lip care ingredients: look for and skip
| Look for | Skip if lips are dry |
|---|---|
| Castor seed oil, hemp seed oil | Fragrance, flavoring (mint, citrus, cinnamon) |
| Ceramides, shea butter | Menthol, camphor, eucalyptus |
| Dimethicone, mineral oil | Lanolin, if it bothers you |
| Petrolatum, white petroleum jelly | Salicylic acid, phenol |
| Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (SPF) | Octinoxate, oxybenzone |
These lists follow the AAD’s dry-lip advice (AAD). The AAD also suggests choosing products labeled fragrance free and hypoallergenic.
Weekly lip care extras
- Lip scrub: once a week at most, gently. See our lip scrub guide.
- Lip mask: overnight on dry days. See our lip mask guide.
- Lip oil: for shine during the day, over or under balm.
Keep scrubs gentle and skip them when lips are cracked or sore.
Lip care habits that help
- Stop licking your lips. The AAD explains saliva evaporates and leaves lips drier.
- Don’t pick or bite dry flakes.
- Keep metal off your lips, such as paperclips or jewelry, as the AAD advises.
- Drink water through the day.
- Run a humidifier in your bedroom in dry weather.
The AAD says that with consistent care, dry lips often improve in 2 to 3 weeks (AAD).
Lip care routine by season
| Season | Focus |
|---|---|
| Winter | Thick balm, night ointment, humidifier |
| Summer | SPF 30+ lip balm, reapply every 2 hours outdoors |
| Travel | Carry a small balm; planes are dry |
| Everyday | Fragrance-free balm and no lip licking |
Patch test anything new. The AAD suggests applying a new product to a quarter-sized spot on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow twice a day for 7 to 10 days, and stopping if your skin reacts (AAD).
A simple weekly lip care plan
| Day | Extra step |
|---|---|
| Monday | Clean your lip balm tubes and caps |
| Wednesday | Gentle lip scrub if lips feel flaky |
| Wednesday night | Overnight lip mask or thick ointment |
| Saturday | Check SPF balm dates and toss old ones |
| Daily | SPF balm by day, ointment at night |
The daily steps matter most. Extras such as scrubs and masks are nice, but a fragrance-free balm applied often, SPF when you’re outdoors and a thick layer at bedtime do most of the work. Keep a balm in each place you spend time: your bag, your desk, your car’s glove box and your nightstand. That way you’re never without one, and reapplying becomes a habit instead of a chore.
Lip care in your beauty routine
Lip care sits alongside nails and brows in our guide to nail care, lips and brows. For sunscreen on the rest of your face, see our skin care routine guide.
Your lip care routine doesn’t need to be expensive. One SPF lip balm, one plain ointment and one gentle scrub cover almost every need. Start your lip care routine today with the two daily steps, and add the weekly extras once they feel easy.
FAQ
What is a good lip care routine?
An SPF 30+ lip balm by day, reapplied every 2 hours outdoors, and a thick ointment at night, with a gentle scrub or mask once a week if needed.
Do lips need sunscreen?
Yes. The AAD recommends a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher, containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, when you’re outdoors.
Why do my lips feel drier after lip balm?
Some balms contain fragrance, flavoring, menthol or camphor, which the AAD lists among ingredients to avoid for dry lips.
How often should I exfoliate my lips?
Once a week at most, and never on cracked or sore lips.
How long until dry lips feel better?
The AAD says consistent care often helps in about 2 to 3 weeks.
Written by Mahmoud Abdelmaksoud.
