Write this down: Your lips need just as much attention as your face and neck. Luckily, there are some dermatologically approved tips you can follow to keep your lips soft and healthy.
- Hydrate, Hydrate, and Hydrate
You must have heard it a hundred times, but we’ll say it again: Hydration is the easiest way to keep your lips healthy. Since your lip skin doesn’t have oil glands, it is more prone to dryness in both winter and summer seasons. When dehydrated, your lips can become dry and peeling, leading to redness and discomfort.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Many people instinctively lick their lips to keep them moist. Licking your lips can leave them even drier than before. You can also set up a humidifier in your home to increase the level of moisture in the air.
- Use a Non-Irritating Lip Balm and Moisturizer
As mentioned earlier, the skin on your lips is incredibly sensitive. Avoid using lip balms with the following ingredients:
- Camphor
- Eucalyptus
- Lanolin
- Menthol
- Octinoxate or oxybenzone
- Phenol (or phenyl)
- Salicylic acid
Moreover, flavoring, such as cinnamon, mint, and peppermint, can irritate already dry, chapped lips.
Instead, use a best lip balm for chapped lips with the following ingredients:
- Caster seel oil
- Petroleum
- Mineral oil
- Shea butter
- Hemp seed oil
You can also make your lip balm at home with shea butter, liquid oil (coconut, almond, or olive oil), and beeswax pellets. Remember to avoid applying lip balm to acne-prone facial skin, as it can lead to breakouts.
In addition to a lip balm, use a good-quality moisturizer. Lip moisturizers can heal chapped lips and prevent dryness. You can also use a thick layer of petroleum jelly before bed to lock in all the moisture.
- Exfoliate
Exfoliating is one of the best ways to remove dead skin cells, revealing fresh skin underneath. It also helps improve the texture of your lips, making it easier to apply lip balms and other products.
Good-quality lip exfoliators have the following ingredients:
- Sugar
- Coffee grounds
- Ground oats
- Honey
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
- Vitamin E
- Petroleum jelly
Exfoliating also leads to better product absorption. Remember to exfoliate your lips in circular motions gently. Avoid over-exfoliating as it can lead to itching, reddness, and chapping.
- Stop Biting or Picking At Your Lips
Picking at dry, chapped, or flaking lips can cause irritation and even bleeding. Moreover, open wounds on your lips can lead to bacterial infections.
Many times, lip picking is the result of anxiety and stress. Identify your triggers and adopt stress management techniques to avoid unconscious picking.
- Protect Your Lips in Every Weather
Prolonged exposure to the sun can make your lips dry and chapped. Dermatologists recommend using a lip balm with titanium oxide and zinc oxide. You can also use a lip moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher.
For the winter season, reapply your lip balm or chapstick every few hours throughout the day. This will ensure complete protection.
