As many of us lip pickers know, the habit has downstream effects (the thin skin on your lips is especially delicate and prone to scarring, discoloration, and the like), but sometimes you just can’t resist tearing off those dry bits. And while lip picking knows no season, it tends to get worse in the colder months when your pout becomes drier and thus more prone to cracking—so, ahem, right about now. Either select a lip scrub (I’ve been loving the Pout Hero Lip Scrub by Thrive Causemetics, as the tube packaging keeps the whole experience mess-free), or create your own DIY version. If you’re more of a mindless lip picker, try to find a different activity that stimulates your brain in a similarly satisfying way, like clenching a stress ball. You can also find a bunch of sensory fidget toys online (like this silicone bubble board) that can offer a similar release. And if you find yourself picking more during times of stress, managing those feelings can ultimately help you find relief. It’s easier said than done, of course, but try to discover whatever practices feed your mental health—be it movement, breathwork, gratitude practices, et al. Specifically, severe picking can be a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder called excoriation or dermatillomania, which may require professional intervention. If it’s available to you, consider speaking with a therapist to get to the root cause of your skin picking and find effective coping methods.
