This pencil saves my lips every winter
15/1/2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Lorenz Keller
The lip balm from Louis Widmer is the only one that helps me with dry lips - without me having to apply it ten times a day.
I'm a special kind of weather geek. I can tell that winter is coming by my dry lips. They don't cause me any problems for three quarters of the year. Just in time for the first cold weather, however, I feel small cracks.
It usually happens when I'm travelling: my lips are dry and I've left my lip balm at home. At some point, I can't stand it any longer and I wet them briefly. Then the vicious circle begins: my lips get drier and drier, they burn and are easily chapped.
Quickly bought - and disappointed
How often have I run into a shop in panic and bought a chapstick in situations like this? But to be honest: the popular and cheap lip balm doesn't help me, it only combats the symptoms. If I apply the chapstick every hour and there is always a greasy layer on my lips, then it provides relief. As soon as I stop using it, my lips are immediately dry again. They even feel drier than before.
I realised years ago that Chapstick only has a temporary effect on me. I therefore sought advice from pharmacies several times and was always recommended new products. I can remember Neutrogena, Bepanthol and pure Vaseline. Although I had to apply these products less frequently, they were still more symptom relief than a return to normality.
Expensive, perfumed - but unfortunately awesome
A few years ago, a pharmacist recommended the Hydraderm lip balm from the Swiss brand Louis Widmer to me. I only realised the price at the till, otherwise I probably wouldn't have bought it. This product is three times more expensive than the others.
But in true Swiss fashion, I couldn't say no and grudgingly paid. Fortunately - as I know today.
I was initially very sceptical. The lip balm looks like a lipstick. And it is lightly perfumed. The subtle vanilla flavour doesn't bother me too much, but I would have preferred a neutral note.
But after just a few days of winter, none of that matters anyway. Because the Louis Widmer stick works like no other before. It starts with the application: The moisturiser is absorbed immediately. I don't feel like I have a greasy layer on my lips all the time.
The skin immediately feels soft and comfortable, the dryness is magically gone. And this feeling lasts much longer than with other lip balms. I have to apply the stick maybe two or three times a day and my lips stay smooth the whole time.
As soon as the days get milder again, I can stop treating my lips. When the air is no longer so dry, I no longer have any problems. So the Hydraderm lip balm from Louis Widmer saves my lips every winter.
At least when I have it with me, which usually doesn't happen at least once at the beginning of winter. I run into a shop in a panic and buy a chapstick. You already know the story: totally dissatisfied, I return as quickly as possible to the only moisturiser that really works.
What's your secret tip against dry lips or other winter weather influences? Write it in the comments.
In a nutshell
A blessing for dry lips
The Hydraderm lip balm from Louis Widmer is not just a lip balm for the lips. It nourishes them - and it doesn't take many applications to freshen up dry and chapped lips. For me, it is the only moisturiser that really helps in winter and doesn't just combat symptoms.
I would like to see a neutral version without perfume - that would also be a better choice for sensitive skin. I accept the high price as long as the lip care made in Switzerland works so well.
Pro
- Combats dry and chapped lips
- No greasy feeling on the skin
- No frequent application necessary
- Pleasant consistency
Contra
- High price
- Perfumed
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
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