**Santa Fe Steam: Altitude Lies Drying Summer Lips?**

By Franklin Everett Shaw

December 31, 2025

The biting wind whips through the narrow streets, carrying with it the scent of piñon smoke and the persistent dryness that clings to everything in Santa Fe. It’s a beautiful place, no doubt, but for those of us susceptible to chapped lips, it can feel like a constant battle against the elements. Forget generic lip balms; surviving winter in the City Different requires a strategic, localized approach.

The problem isn’t just the cold; it’s the altitude and the lack of humidity. Santa Fe sits at over 7,000 feet, meaning less oxygen and faster moisture evaporation.

Here’s your survival guide to kissable lips in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

First, understand your enemy: the ingredients in many commercially available lip balms.

Avoid these like the plague:

• Camphor and Menthol: These provide a temporary cooling sensation, but they actually dry out your lips in the long run. They’re like a mirage in the desert, promising relief but ultimately leaving you thirstier.
• Phenol: Another ingredient that can irritate and dry.
• Salicylic Acid: This is an exfoliant, which you absolutely don’t need on already chapped lips.
• Artificial Fragrances and Colors: These are common irritants.

Instead, look for these beneficial ingredients:

• Beeswax: A natural protectant that creates a barrier against the elements.
• Shea Butter: Deeply moisturizing and soothing.
• Coconut Oil: Another excellent moisturizer.
• Jojoba Oil: Mimics the skin’s natural sebum, making it easily absorbed.
• Lanolin: A highly effective emollient, though some people are sensitive to it.

Now, let’s talk about local solutions.

Santa Fe offers unique opportunities to incorporate regional ingredients into your lip care routine.

Santa Fe Honey Lip Scrub:

This is a DIY remedy that’s both effective and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of local Santa Fe honey (try honey from the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market).
• 1 teaspoon of brown sugar (for gentle exfoliation).
• 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil (for added moisture).

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Gently massage the mixture onto your lips in a circular motion for about 30 seconds.
3. Rinse with warm water.
4. Apply a moisturizing lip balm immediately afterward.

Why this works: Santa Fe honey is often rich in pollen and enzymes, which can have soothing and healing properties. The brown sugar gently removes dead skin cells, allowing the honey and olive oil to penetrate and moisturize.

Challenge: Finding truly local honey. Many commercially available honeys are blends from various sources.

Solution: Buy directly from beekeepers at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market or local health food stores. Ask about the honey’s origin to ensure it’s truly from the Santa Fe area.

Next, let’s address the indoor environment.

The dry air inside your home or office can be just as damaging as the outdoor elements.

Humidifier Optimization:

Don’t just set it and forget it.

1. Monitor Humidity Levels: Use a hygrometer to track the humidity in your home. Aim for a humidity level between 40% and 60%.
2. Adjust Settings Based on Real-Time Data: Don’t rely on a fixed setting. Increase the humidifier’s output when the humidity drops below 40%, and decrease it when it rises above 60%.
3. Clean Regularly: Humidifiers can harbor mold and bacteria if not cleaned properly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning.
4. Consider a Whole-House Humidifier: If you have forced-air heating, a whole-house humidifier can provide more consistent humidity throughout your home.

Pitfall: Over-humidifying. This can lead to mold growth and other problems.

Solution: Regularly monitor humidity levels and adjust the humidifier accordingly.

Hydration is key.

This seems obvious, but it’s especially important at high altitude.

Optimal Hydration Strategies:

• Calculate Your Water Needs: Don’t just drink when you’re thirsty. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for 75 ounces of water.
• Carry a Water Bottle: Keep a water bottle with you at all times and refill it throughout the day.
• Eat Hydrating Foods: Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber, and celery are high in water content.
• Avoid Excessive Caffeine and Alcohol: These can dehydrate you.

Common Mistake: Thinking that all liquids are equally hydrating.

Solution: Prioritize water, herbal teas, and electrolyte-rich beverages. Limit your intake of sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol.

Finally, protect your lips from the sun.

Even in winter, the sun’s rays can be damaging, especially at high altitude.

Sun Protection:

• Use a Lip Balm with SPF: Choose a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Apply Liberally and Frequently: Reapply every two hours, or more often if you’re eating or drinking.
• Don’t Forget the Edges: The skin around your lips is also vulnerable to sun damage.

Real-World Application: If you’re skiing at Ski Santa Fe, reapply your lip balm with SPF every hour. The combination of sun, wind, and altitude can quickly lead to chapped and sunburned lips.

In conclusion, combating dry, cracked lips in Santa Fe requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the unique challenges of the high desert climate. By avoiding irritating ingredients, incorporating local remedies, optimizing your indoor environment, staying hydrated, and protecting your lips from the sun, you can keep your pout healthy and happy, even in the driest of conditions. Don’t just survive; thrive.