A super-fast soothing routine to relieve winter irritation and numbness around the lips after eating spicy stew.

It's 11 p.m. right now, and as soon as I finished a bowl of mala-tang as a late-night snack, my lips are in a state of chaos. It's not just the spiciness. In these midwinter days, with temperatures consistently below freezing, the air is so dry that the skin barrier is at rock bottom. In this state, the spicy capsaicin triggers an inflammatory response that spreads much faster than usual. My personality doesn't allow me to ignore it, so I sat down at my vanity, analyzed it logically, and began taking action.

First and foremost, lowering the temperature is crucial. Leaving the irritated area exposed to heat will cause pores to open, moisture to evaporate, and dead skin cells to form the next day. So, I applied a cooling, soothing toner as a pack for about three minutes. Don't delay, though, as it's pointless. The next step is moisturizing, which artificially replenishes the damaged sebum barrier. The key to my routine is applying a cream 1.5 times thicker than usual, one that's high in cica or panthenol.

The more rapidly the weather changes, the less able the skin is to protect itself. This artificial barrier is essential for maximizing overnight regeneration. After calculating the oil and moisture densities and layering them, I finally feel the tingling sensation subsiding. While the pleasure of a late-night snack is wonderful, delaying follow-up care ultimately costs your skin. Today, I'm reminded that efficient and immediate skincare habits are key to maintaining a healthy winter skin. Don't let your guard down and check your skin barrier.