Winter skincare for nose and lips

Winter can be unkind to your family’s skin, especially around the nose and lips, when dry air, cooler weather, colds and flu can cause redness and inflammation. In this blog, dermatologist Dr Lauren Knight (also known as Derm Discovered on social media) and our oral hygiene advisor Dirna Grobbelaar share expert advice for adults and children, on how to protect this delicate area, prevent chapped lips or a red, sore nose.

Looking for all-year advice? This article focuses on winter skincare. For expert tips for every season – including allergy and teething support – go to our dermatologist-reviewed Lip & Nose Care Guide.

Why is winter hard on the skin?

The skin changes during colder weather. “Cold air and low humidity can leave the skin feeling drier, rougher and less supple during the cooler months. As the skin around the mouth and nose is thinner, it has less reserve when the season changes, making it more susceptible to the damage that can occur. Add to this, watery mucous with frequent nose blowing from a cold, the flu or allergies leaves this area more exposed. The poor nose and lip area doesn’t stand a chance, says Dr Knight.

Dr Knight recommends using hydrating moisturisers or a barrier cream like LETIbalm Nose & Lip Repair to restore the skin barrier and prevent irritation.

The best way to blow your nose

If you do happen to catch a cold or flu be gentle when wiping your nose. “Use extra-soft tissues, ideally containing Aloe vera, calendula or vitamin E, not kitchen towel or serviettes,” says Dirna Grobbelaar, Ivohealth’s oral hygiene advisor. “Gently blot, rather than rubbing or wiping.”

Grobbelaar uses LETIbalm Nose & Lip Repair on her patients and her children. “LETIbalm works better than any other balm I have tried,” says Grobbelaar. “It is wonderfully soothing. Apply regularly, several times a day, including before and after each time you blow your nose.”

LETIbalm is the first balm available in South Africa specifically formulated to protect and relieve the nose and lips. It contains natural and active ingredients including the ancient healing herb centella asiatica, nourishing cocoa butter and vitamin E.

Caring for your child’s nose woes

A red nose is often one of the more visible symptoms when your child has allergies, a cold or the flu. Although it’s probably not that serious, a chapped nose is not very attractive and can feel a little sore. It will usually clear up a few days or weeks after the cold or allergies have ended, but it may be uncomfortable while you wait for nature to take its course. It may also become infected. Here are Dr Knight’s five tips to support the skin barrier and promote faster healing:

1. Avoid touching the face and only wipe the nose when necessary. Keep your child distracted with an activity or book so they are less likely to fiddle. Keep fingernails short, just in case.
2. Regularly wash hands to prevent spreading germs. This applies to both of you – wash your hands before and after wiping your child’s nose.
3. Teach your child not to pick or to wipe their nose roughly (e.g., on the back of sleeves). Encourage them to use soft, unscented tissues and only wipe or blow when needed.
4. Repair and restore the skin with a hydrating moisturiser or barrier cream like LETIbalm Nose & Lip Repair that helps soothe inflammation and forms a protective layer to prevent further chapping. The LETIbalm Paediatric is suitable for babies and toddlers, aged 3 months and up.
5. Dry mucous (aka bogeys) can be irritating and may encourage picking. Being well-hydrated – inside and out – helps keep mucous thin and moist. Give your child plenty of fluids to drink and use a humidifier or steam as needed.

7 ways to protect your lips & nose

Whether the cause is the cold weather, flu, allergies, or something else, Dr Knight shares seven ways to protect your lips and nose:

1. Protect the lips with a lubricating barrier that helps lock natural moisturisers in the lips. Apply regularly.
2. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. This helps keep the skin hydrated and mucous thin. Consider using a humidifier or steam to add moisture and ease congestion.
3. Avoid licking your lips, this can exacerbate the problem. “As the saliva evaporates it takes the moisture out of lip tissue. Furthermore, bacteria in saliva can irritate the skin and enzymes in saliva can break down the oils or moisturisers in your lip balm.”
4. Only blow the nose when you have to and use soft tissues, ideally infused with aloe vera or calendula. Gently pat rather than wipe.
5. Gently exfoliate. “Exfoliators should increase cell turnover and eliminate dead skin without upsetting the balance of natural oils. Use gentle exfoliation weekly – you will notice smoother lips that are more able to absorb moisturising ingredients in any products you apply”.
6. Apply your lip balm or a treatment overnight. “During the day, our skin is busy fighting off potential irritants, UVB/UVA rays, etc. At night, the focus is on recovery and regeneration and products applied at night can penetrate better for an enhanced effect.”
7. Avoid matte lipsticks. “The lack of oils or emollients makes matte lipsticks more drying, which can aggravate chapped lips.”

Lips and noses love LETIbalm

With hundreds of lip balms on the market, how do you know which to choose? Dr Knight says that any moisturising balm will help protect the skin. She recommends looking for one that contains petroleum jelly, castor oil, shea or cocoa butter and vitamin E, like LETIbalm Nose & Lip Repair.

Our dermatologist-approved product recommendations:

• LETIbalm Nose & Lip Paediatric Balm – gentle and safe from 3 months old
• LETIbalm Nose & Lip Repair Balm – a rich, protective balm for intense care
• LETIbalm Nose & Lip Repair Fluid – a light, hygienic, easy-to-apply option

Dr Knight recommends LETIbalm for several reasons; “I find LETIbalm effective, affordable and easy to use, in either a tub or tube applicator. It’s also suitable for the whole family and can be used for babies, children and adults.”

Where to buy

You’ll find LETIbalm on the shelf at selected Dis-Chem, Checkers and independent pharmacies. Or buy online from Ivohealth.co.za.

You’ll find LETIbalm Nose & Lip Repair at Dis-Chem and selected pharmacies.

About Dr Lauren Knight
Dr Lauren Knight is a Cape Town-based dermatologist in private practice. She specialises in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology for adults and children and is passionate about sharing knowledge to empower people to understand their skin better. For more info, visit https://dermdiscovered.com/ or find @Derm.Discovered on social:
Facebook
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TikTok

For all-season advice, go to our dermatologist-reviewed guide on treating cracked lips, red noses, and more. Read the Lip & Nose Care Guide →

For further advice on winter skincare speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional.

Our product recommendations:

• LETIbalm Paediatric Nose and Lips Repair Balm, suitable from birth
• LETIbalm Nose and Lips Repair Balm
• LETIbalm Nose and Lips Repair Fluid