The skin on the lips is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of the skin on the face. It consists of a very thin layer of the stratum corneum, which makes it particularly permeable to moisture and external influences. In fact, the lips lose up to five times more water than other areas of the skin. Without sweat or sebaceous glands, they also lack a natural barrier that protects against dryness.The vermilion border—the visible red area of the lips—also contributes to this uniqueness. Its delicate structure allows blood vessels to show through, giving the lips their characteristic color. At the same time, the melanin content here is particularly low, making the lips more susceptible to UV rays and sun damage.The result: Without proper care, lips dry out quickly, become chapped or cracked, and lose their natural radiance.

Proper Lip Care: What You Should Know
To prevent chapped lips, proper care is essential. The best lip care products combine ingredients that moisturize, strengthen the skin barrier, and provide protection.Key Ingredients for Healthy Lips:Ceramides: These skin-identical lipids strengthen the lips’ natural barrier and prevent moisture loss—ideal for dry lips.Panthenol: Soothes irritated skin, provides intense moisture, and supports regeneration of cracks and chapped areas.Shea butter: Forms a protective film on the lips and shields them from external factors such as cold weather or dry, heated air. Tip: In winter, it’s especially important to use a rich lip care product. Products with occlusive ingredients like shea butter protect the lips from dry air and cold temperatures.

As we age, not only does the skin on our face change, but so does the structure of our lips. The vermilion border becomes flatter and shows increased inward inversion, causing the three-dimensional shape of the lips to lose definition. At the same time, characteristic features such as the vermilion border, Cupid’s bow, and the philtrum fade. The surface structure also changes: radial wrinkles form, and the white contour line (white roll) becomes less visible.

These changes are due to a combination of internal factors, such as the natural aging process, and external influences, such as UV radiation and environmental pollutants. Blood flow to the lips decreases, causing them to appear less “plump.” At the same time, the composition of lipids changes, including important ceramides that are responsible for the skin’s barrier function and moisture retention.

With the right care, you can maintain healthy lips. Ingredients such as ceramides and panthenol support the skin's structure, while built-in UV protection shields against sun damage.