Protect your lips: the active ingredients that repair, care for and protect against the cold

Cold weather and its impact on the lips

‘Our skin protects and regulates our body temperature, acting as a natural barrier against external agents, including the cold,’ explains Cristina Daza.

The problem is that low temperatures directly influence the cell renewal processes of the stratum corneum: ‘The cold thins the first layer of the skin, weakens it and causes a feeling of tightness, dryness or, in more extreme cases, inflammation,’ she adds.In the case of the lips, the impact is even greater: ‘They are a particularly affected area because they are mucous membranes that lack sebaceous glands, so they cannot generate their own lipid protection. This intensifies the effects of the cold,’ says Daza.

In addition, there are external factors that we often overlook: ‘Snow, for example, increases exposure to solar radiation due to the reflection of the rays, which can cause burns, not only on the skin, but also on the lips,’ points out the brand manager of U/1ST.

The actives that truly help repair and protect the lips

To keep your lips in good condition during the cold months, Cristina Daza points out that it is essential to use active ingredients that moisturise, nourish, protect and help to renew the skin on your lips.

·Natural butters, such as shea butter: "They provide nutrition and are rich in fatty acids. Specifically, shea butter has a high unsaturated fat content, helps repair the skin barrier and provides flexibility," says the expert.

·Medium molecular weight hyaluronic acid: ‘It acts as a moisturising agent with a film-forming and texturising effect. It is a molecule with great moisturising properties that improves the softness of the lips,’ says Daza.

·Antioxidant active ingredients, such as vitamin C and vitamin E: ‘They help minimise oxidative damage and photoaging caused by constant exposure to UV radiation,’ says the brand manager of U/1ST.

·Renewing active ingredients, such as retinol derivatives or gentle exfoliants: ‘They promote cell renewal, prevent chapped lips and visibly improve their appearance,’ she adds.

U/1ST lipsticks to protect, care for, treat and beautify your lips

At U/1ST, lip care is understood as more than just a one-off gesture. This is how Cristina Daza, the brand's brand manager, explains it when detailing the formulation of MULTIACTIVE LIP BALM SERUM: ‘They combine a natural formulation designed to care for and beautify the lips on three levels.’

First level: nutrition and comfort: ‘The formula is based on natural butters, waxes and oils such as shea butter, argan oil, castor oil, candelilla wax and plant extracts such as turmeric. They provide nutrition, emollience and “good” fat to improve the elasticity and comfort of the lips,’ she says.

Second level: deep hydration: ‘We incorporate medium-weight hyaluronic acid to improve hydration and softness, creating a film-forming effect that prevents moisture loss and gives the lips a plumper feel,’ says Cristina Daza, brand manager at U/1ST.

Third level: renewal and texture improvement: ‘A gentle renewing active ingredient, retinyl acetate, helps the skin to renew itself and improves the texture, uniformity and juiciness of the lips,’ explains the expert.

MULTIACTIVE LIP BALM SEUM ‘You’: colourless balm. RRP: 22€.

MULTIACTIVE LIP BALM SEUM ‘Carmen’: semi-matte red. RRP: 24€.

MULTIACTIVE LIP BALM SEUM ‘Gloria’: pink with a very subtle shine. RRP: 24€.

The importance of a conscious lip care routine

For Cristina Daza, one of the biggest mistakes is not treating the lips as a specific area that needs its own care: ‘It is important to use a product that provides real hydration and care at least twice a day, morning and night, just as we do with the skin on our face.’

She also warns against certain habits that are not recommended: ‘Products with a rebound or “yo-yo” effect, which require constant reapplication to feel relief, are not usually a good sign.’ Her recommendation is clear and simple: ‘Use a rich lip balm in the morning and before bed, in your preferred texture (balm, butter, gloss or oil) and always choose make-up products that not only add colour, but also continue to benefit the skin of the lips,’ such as U/1ST lipsticks.