A Three-Step Lip Care Routine for Dry, Flaky Lips

Persistent lip dryness can call for more than another swipe of balm. This three-step routine treats exfoliation, daytime comfort and overnight protection as separate jobs, with products chosen for their textures and ingredients as well as their finish.

The reason lips can feel especially vulnerable is structural: their protective barrier is thinner than the skin across much of the face, and they lack the same oil-producing sebaceous glands. Cold air, wind and indoor heating can add to moisture loss. Licking the lips, irritating formulas and some skincare treatments may also leave them feeling drier. That makes a considered routine more useful than applying a waxy product only once tightness sets in.

The approach here is deliberately measured. Smooth roughness gently when lips are flaky, use a comfortable conditioning product during the day, then finish with a richer layer at night. The key is to leave exfoliation out when lips are split, very sore or irritated; that’s when adding an acid is unlikely to be welcome.

Overnight: Byorbe Lip Barrier Balm Overnight

Byorbe Lip Barrier Balm Overnight is designed with people using strong skincare actives, such as retinoids or Roaccutane, in mind. Its protective layer aims to reduce moisture loss and limit skincare products from migrating onto the lip area. Even without those products in the routine, its mix of hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients makes it a useful final step for lips that often feel dry.

The formula includes glycerin and hyaluronic acid, alongside ceramides, panthenol, calendula, allantoin and bisabolol. That combination brings together ingredients used to attract moisture and support a comfortable-feeling barrier. The balm has a smooth, non-sticky texture, and its ceramic applicator feels cool on contact.

Apply a generous layer before bed and let it sit overnight. The appeal is the lasting, cushioned feel by morning, rather than a balm that seems to vanish soon after application. At £30, it’s the priciest product in this edit, so it may make most sense for readers who want a dedicated night treatment and find a basic balm too light.

Available at Byorbe, £30

By day: Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Oil

For daytime, Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Oil combines a soft, nourishing feel with shine and a subtle wash of colour. The formula is made with 92% natural-origin ingredients. Its cushiony texture feels more substantial than a traditional gloss, while still giving lips a polished finish that can stand on its own.

The colour comes from eosin, a colourant that reacts with the lips’ pH to enhance their natural-looking tone. The result is a hint of tint rather than a full lipstick effect. That makes the oil a practical choice when dry patches make a matte finish feel less appealing: one swipe adds moisture, colour and gloss without a separate lip colour.

At £35, it’s the highest-priced option in the routine. Its strongest case is versatility: it works as a daytime lip product and as a makeup step, so it suits anyone who wants shine and a soft tint in one application. Reapply as needed through the day, especially when lips start to feel tight.

Available at Guerlain, £35

For rough patches: The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum

When lips are rough and flaky, repeatedly layering balm over the surface can leave flakes in place—and picking at them may make lips feel sorer. The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum offers a chemical exfoliation option instead of a physical scrub. It contains 5% gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), alongside 1.5% AHAs and glycerin.

PHAs have larger molecules than many exfoliating acids, so they don’t penetrate as deeply and can offer a gentler form of exfoliation. Glycerin helps attract and retain moisture. The serum still calls for restraint: it’s for rough, flaky lips, not skin that’s split, very sore or irritated. Skip it in those circumstances and focus on a comfortable balm.

To use it, apply a thin layer to clean, dry lips at night and allow it to dry before applying Byorbe Lip Barrier Balm Overnight. It doesn’t need to be a nightly step. Used selectively, it can help smooth the surface without scrubbing or picking. At £8, it’s the most affordable product in the trio.

Available at Space NK, £8

A routine that adjusts to your lips

The useful distinction is between dryness with surface flakes and lips that feel raw or irritated. The serum belongs only in the first situation; daytime oil and overnight balm provide the conditioning and protective parts of the routine. If you use strong skincare actives, take care around the lip area and consider the overnight balm’s intended role. Otherwise, the routine’s main takeaway is simple: use exfoliation sparingly, add comfortable moisture during the day and finish with a richer layer at bedtime.

Images: Adobe; courtesy of brands