Dry lips

Vaseline is one of those things ingrained in us that it's moisturising and good for dry lips. In reality, it doesn't moisturise dry lips at all; it causes a barrier over your lips and gives a sense of false hydration :/ Even on their site, they say that it's absorbed into the skin but another question says that it provides a protective barrier; which is it?!

I do use it for glossing eyelids sometimes or around my hairline when I'm dying my hair but that's about it. It's not in my kit to put on people's lips, as it just won't work! It's not good for the planet either as it's a by-product of crude oil; it's not sustainable and it's basically a waste product. Eurgh :/

At home, I'm a big fan of coconut oil. I use it to cleanse my face and apply it to my lips regularly. They are the softest they've been in a long time and haven't cracked this winter at all *touch wood*! They did get pretty dry when I was poorly recently but instead of using Vaseline to help scrub them with some salt, I just swapped it out and used the coconut oil. Worked just as well!

In my kit I keep Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour cream; I've talked about it here with some other skincare tips, but it's beautiful and so multipurpose. It'd be a mistake not to have this in my kit when it can be used for so many different things; sunburn, windburn, cracked lips, heels, scrapes, abrasions etc. I think it's possibly my favourite ever product?!

(edit: I've now swapped to Aldi's Miracle Cream as it's vegan and cruelty-free!)

What do you use on your lips to keep them hydrated and smooth?