Lips are the last part of our body we remember to protect before going outside, but cold air and chilling wind have significant effect on our lips. Lips don’t have oil glands, so in the winter they become dryer, and as a result may crack and over-dry. Lips dry out faster than other parts of our body because skin on the lips is very thin and delicate. Chapped and cracked lips feel very uncomfortable, itchy and tight, so here are some useful tips on how to avoid chapped lips and protect them:
- Don’t lick your lips It’s natural to want to lick your lips when they feel dry, but licking actually has the opposite effect. Once you repeatedly put more saliva on the lips it promotes chapped lips and makes them even dryer.
- Use ointment-based lip balms on a daily basis They help to lock in the moisture, soothe lips and heal cracks and splits of the skin.
- Treat cracks Untreated cracks can lead to infections and cold sores, so make sure you treat cracks right away.
- Apply lip balm before going to bed Night is a perfect time not only to treat your face but lips as well, so make it a habit to apply a lip balm before going to bed. Look for ingredients like petroleum gel, mineral oil or dimethicone when buying a lip balm.
- Don’t pull dry skin on the lips Pulling dry skin on the lips will further irritate them and can lead to infections, so apply a lip balm over.
- Stay hydrated Dehydration leads to chapped lips, so make sure you are drinking plenty of water, it will help prevent chapped lips.
- Use humidifier Adding moisture in the air helps to treat dry lips and keep them hydrated.
