Dry, darkened & dull lips
Lips stay rough even though you apply lip balm constantly, their colour is darker and less rosy, and fine lines stop matte lipstick from looking smooth.
Why do lips dry out and darken so easily?
Lip skin is much thinner than facial skin and has almost no oil glands, so it loses water very quickly. Lips also have little protective melanin, so they're easily damaged by sun and prone to pigment changes.
Licking and biting your lips, long-wear matte lipstick, air conditioning and age make lips dry, flaky and darker, with fine lines. Lips that lack freshness make the whole face look more tired.
Learn more about causes and common types
What causes dry, darkened, dull lips?
Dehydration
- No oil glandsLips can't hold moisture on their own the way facial skin does.
- Dry air, air conditioningLips lose water quickly in dry environments.
Pigment
- SunlightLips have little protective melanin, so they darken easily with UV exposure.
- IrritationLipstick, toothpaste or long-lasting inflammation leave darkening.
Habits & age
- Licking, biting lipsBreaks down the protective layer, making lips drier and more cracked.
- AgeingDeclining collagen makes lips thinner and lined.
Common types
Need barrier recovery and deep hydration.
Need improved pigmentation and sun protection for the lips.
Need hydration and stimulated renewal.
Where should I start?
Everyone has a different cause and degree, so the most important thing is to understand your condition correctly before choosing a solution.
During your Da Ký™, we look at whether your lips are mainly dry, darkened or ageing, and explore habits that may be making them worse, such as the products you use or licking your lips.
Home care
Lips need care as part of your daily routine, not only when they're already dry and cracked.
Regular moisturising, sun protection for the lips and avoiding irritating habits are the foundation for soft, rosy lips.
Recommendations we often give
- A fragrance-free lip balm. Choose ingredients such as ceramides, petrolatum and shea butter to lock in moisture.
- Sun protection for the lips. Use a lip balm with SPF 30 when going out.
- Don't lick or bite your lips. Evaporating saliva makes lips drier.
- Drink enough water and use a humidifier. Especially when sitting in air conditioning for many hours.
At Claire, we work with cosmeceutical lines such as SkinCeuticals, ZO Skin Health, Obagi, Dermalogica and Phytomer, and only suggest a product when it truly suits your skin.
In-clinic options
At Claire, lips are cared for with their own treatment, gentle and safe for this thin skin.
Bio Cell uses Nanofacial technology with a nano tip that creates ultra-fine micro-channels on the surface, helping serums penetrate deeper. The treatment is safe even for the lips, leaving them hydrated and soft, with improved colour and fine lines, painlessly and with no downtime.
See how each treatment acts
| Treatments | Deep hydration | Improves lip colour | Smooths lip lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bio CellSkin antisepsis · Nanofacial + Serum · Smask + Cold acupressure therapy · 75–80 minutes · VND 5,400,000 · Member VND 3,600,000 |
Main action Supporting
Depth of action
Illustrated according to each treatment's technology; actual action is adjusted to each skin.
Other options and advice
For thin lips you'd like to add volume to, filler is the more suitable method. If lips stay dry and cracked with inflammation, redness or pain, it may be cheilitis, which needs a dermatologist's examination and treatment first.
Claire always follows ethical medical aesthetic practice: we only recommend what truly suits you.
Related concerns
All skin concerns→Begin by understanding your skin
Da Ký™: a one-to-one consultation, unhurried, with no pressure to buy a package.