UPDATE: |Dermatologist shares vital ingredient your lip balm must have News

A dermatologist has claimed that using lip balm without one specific ingredient is a ‘waste of money’ as it won’t help protect your lips against looking ‘shrivelled’

When it comes to skincare routines, the market is flooded with products all promising to be the secret to perfect skin. However, what works can differ greatly depending on your skin type, and there’s no universal remedy. For example, the moisturiser you need for sensitive skin might be completely different to the one someone else needs for acne-prone skin.

But one dermatologist insists there is a must-have product everyone should be using to keep their lips “plump”. Doctor Aamna Adel has stated that while lip balm is great for hydration, you’re essentially “wasting money” if the product you buy lacks a crucial ingredient.

In a TikTok video, the skin expert highlighted the importance of SPF in lip balm, pointing out that sun damage can lead to “shrivelled” lips, which is particularly concerning for those with lip fillers.

She explained: “If you are reapplying your lip balm throughout the day and you’re not using one which has got SPF in it, what are you doing? Let me tell you now, you are missing out. And you’re actually wasting money.”

Dr Adel continued, stressing the impact of the sun on collagen breakdown in the lips: “If you’re spending your money on getting lip filler and getting these peptide lip balms, but then you’re not actually protecting your lips from the sun … [The sun] is breaking down collagen [in your lips] and over time it can cause your lips to become smaller and more shrivelled.

“Save yourself some money. Go out and buy a lip balm which has SPF in it, and reapply it throughout the day. [It will] keep your lips looking cute but also plump and hydrated.”

The expert didn’t specify what level of SPF is needed for lip balm, but consumers can find an SPF 20 balm starting from just £2.50 at some pharmacies, with an SPF 50 option available for a slightly higher price at around £4.

Skincare experts at Nivea emphasise the importance of using SPF on your lips, noting that the skin is much thinner in this area compared to the rest of the body.

This essentially means that if you think you need to apply suncream to your arms before you head outside on a sunny day, then you definitely need it on your lips, too.

On their website, they state: “It’s just as important, if not more important, to protect your lips from the sun’s powerful UV rays using lip balm with SPF because the skin on your lips is thinner than anywhere else on the body, making it more delicate and susceptible to sun damage.”

The presence of collagen in your lips helps them maintain a plump, healthy appearance, but sun exposure can break down collagen and may lead to thinner lips over time.

Adding to the advice, Nivea warns: “It doesn’t matter how well you moisturise and care for your lips, if it’s sunny and they’re exposed to dangerous UVA/UVB rays without lip sun protection, they’re not going to look as smooth and healthy as they could do.”

How to take care of your lips

It’s all too easy to neglect our lips when we’re doing our skincare routine, but it’s important to give them the same attention we give to the rest of our bodies. These tips can help keep your lips healthy:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day
• Use a gentle lip scrub to exfoliate your lips one to two times a week
• Use a lip balm with SPF to keep lips hydrated and protected from the sun
• Avoid licking your lips, as this can dry them out more
• Keep them moisturised at night with a thick layer of balm or a lip mask
• Maintain a healthy diet to support skin health