Experts say most of us don’t apply Vaseline correctly when we have chapped lips. This means we don’t get the most out of it.

You’ve probably found yourself applying Vaseline or another moisturizing cream to your lips to keep them from becoming dry and chapped during the chilly winter months.

And, while spring has arrived, we’re still not out of the woods when it comes to frigid days, so that life-saving tub of Vaseline should be kept close at hand.

But what if we told you that you’re probably applying your lip balm wrong?

That’s according to a TikTok skincare expert, who claims that most of us have been skipping a crucial step in our lip routine, which could be preventing us from adequately addressing the problem of chapped lips.

Olivera, who goes by the handle @skincarebyolivera, shared a video detailing how to apply Vaseline, and it has now gone viral with over 232,000 views.

While we may be tempted to just slather on the petroleum jelly, the expert advised that we should first wet our lips with tap water before applying the lip balm.

She said: “Do you suffer from dry and chapped winter lips? Always moisten your lips before applying your lip balm. Never apply to a dry lip. The balm will then seal in the moisture.”

Vaseline and other lip balms serve to build a barrier around the lips and prevent moisture loss, but they don’t provide much moisture to already dry lips, thus the trick works.

By moistening your lips first, you have the best chance of keeping that extra moisture locked away and so reducing the probability of your lips becoming chapped.

Olivera took to the comments section after posting her suggestion to answer queries from individuals who were hesitant or skeptical about the science behind the procedure.

One commenter said: “Not how this works. I guess dry hands should just soak. Good theory but based on nothing.”

To which Olivera explained: “It would similarly be good to apply a moisturiser right after soaking to lock in some of the moisture.”

And when someone else said it would be “more efficient to just drink water”, the skincare expert said: “It’s not, unfortunately. The water you drink goes to all of your vital organs first like your liver and kidneys. Your skin is the last to get it.”

Other users complimented Olivera for sharing her advice, and some acknowledged that the method works because they’ve been doing it for years.

One said: “Thank you for this! My lips are always cut up during winter.”

While another added: “I always did this and it’s way better than putting balm on dry lips.”

And a medical professional agreed, writing: “As a medical aesthetician this is a great tip! Vaseline is an occlusive so it creates a seal and prevents moisture loss from the skin.”

Image Credit: Getty

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