In this MEGA exclusive, dermatologist Dr. Joshua Arcaira, celebrity makeup artist Jason Delos Reyes, and beauty content creator Kai Javier share their lip care practices for the summer season and beyond

It’s undeniable that lip care is as equally important as face care. “The skin on the lips is very delicate compared to that of the rest of the body. The lips do not have their own oil glands and therefore, cannot moisturize itself. The lips are prone to drying out, leading to chapped lips, which can be cumbersome and painful,” dermatologist Dr. Joshua Arcaira clarified. “Summer is the perfect season to enjoy the sun. However, it is important to keep our lips protected from harmful UV rays, too much of which can lead to premature skin aging and worse, skin cancer.” 

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The season calls for a focus on lip protection and hydration. As luck would have it, beauty experts and enthusiasts like Dr. Joshua Arcaira, Jason Delos Reyes, and Kai Javier reveal their best-kept lip care practices and some top-shelf products for the summer season and beyond. 

On the best lip care practice 

It’s a given that lip dehydration can strike anytime of the year. However, warm temperatures can put one at more risk. “The lips can show if we are getting enough water into our system overall. In fact, one of the signs of dehydration we check for as doctors would be dry lips,” Dr. Joshua Arcaira explained. “With the intense heat of the summer, it can be easy to lose water through sweat. Therefore, to keep our bodies healthy and survive the heat, we must be on top of our water intake.” 

Beauty content creator Kai Javier pointed out the importance of using the right lip products. “A great way to keep the lips hydrated and protected this season is to use lip SPF, whether it is [in] balm form or lip oil form,” she expressed. “Meanwhile, incorporating lip masks at a night time routine can assure that you’ll wake up with soft and hydrated lips. It’s also a great way to combat chapped lips.” 

On what to look for in a lip product 

“There are a lot of good hybrid products in the market that offer both lip care and tint,” celebrity makeup artist Jason Delos Reyes noted. “It’s best to reach out for these products because [they do the] job of hydrating and protecting the lips without sacrificing the color.” It’s one sentiment that Dr. Joshua Arcaira agrees with. In fact, the dermatologist provided an in-depth exploration of the ingredients to look out for. “Look for ingredients that lock in moisture like occlusives,” he said. “These will help keep your lips moisturized for longer. Elsewhere, Petrolatum, shea butter, glycerin, and beeswax are good at locking in moisture.” 

The dermatologist also shared an insight on what products to steer clear from. “Avoid products with additive fragrance, menthol or camphor [that] gives a cooling effect, or with citrus extracts that can cause a sun sensitivity rash or phytophotodermatitis.” He added, “Rather, aim for lip products that offer at least SPF 15 to protect the lips from the harmful UV rays from the sun.” 

Take it from the pros

Of course, the conversation wouldn’t be complete without exchanging a list of one’s top-shelf lip product. Kai Javier’s lip favorite? Issy & Co. Solar Balm SPF 30 PA+++. “Honestly, I’ve been loving matte lips lately for the pillowy look so I personally like the natural version,” she detailed. “But you have to manage your expectations from this. It’s marketed as a lip SPF, [so] don’t expect it to glide as smoothly as a lip balm, but the formula is definitely good enough to deliver protection.” 

The beauty content creator also named lip stains as one of her beach essentials. “I’ve been into lip stains so much, especially this season,” she shared. “It’s the best product for that cute popsicle lip effect, and it’s lightweight and long-lasting.” As for her go-to formulas, her list includes Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint, Lucky Beauty Dewy Lip Stain, and Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint. Apart from that, she also praised Haus Labs PhD Hybrid Lip Oil Hydrating Tint and GRWM Cosmetics Lip Booze Tinted Sheer Balm for its “your lips but better” finish. 

Next in order, Jason Delos Reyes showcased his summer lip product rotation. “GRWM Cosmetics Lip Booze is definitely a top choice,” he shared. “Yes, it does its job of moisturizing the lips. But what makes it stand out for me is its wide shade range.” The celebrity makeup artist also commended the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Gloss. “I love it for its plumping effect, so it makes your lips bigger and at the same time, hydrated.” 

He also added blk cosmetics’ Fresh Plumping Lip Gloss as a part of his list. “Apart from its hydrating properties, ang pinaka-maganda sa kanya ay meron siyang complementing na lip liner. Bihira maglabas ng ganu’n.” he mentioned. “The formula is non-sticky and hindi siya heavy—sobrang lightweight lang.”