More than a simple nuisance, chapped lips are at least awkward, sometimes painful, and may indicate something more serious. Indeed, it pays to take good care of your lips, as far as health and hydration are concerned, all year round, when seasonal changes occur. Here are some very simple yet effective lip care tips that will keep you completely away from chapped lips and ensure soft, smooth lips throughout the year.]Understanding Chapped Lips
Chapped lips are technically dry, cracked, or scaly skin on the surface of your lips. This can be from weather or dehydration, not to mention a few habits that you have. To keep this from happening, you first need to know why it happens.
Keep yourself well-hydrated
Another very common cause of chapped lips is dehydration. Drinking enough water during the day keeps your skin—this includes your lips—from drying out. Try getting at least 8 glasses of water each day. Don’t you like plain water? Go for herbal teas or foods with high water content, such as cucumbers and oranges.
Use lip balm regularly
Applying lip balm is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep lips from becoming chapped. Reach out for a lip balm that contains rich moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, or beeswax. Apply it as often as possible throughout the day, after every meal or drink. Avoid using artificial lip balms that have flavor or fragrance since, at times, these tend to disturb sensitive skin.
Avoid licking your lips
Licking your lips may seem like a quick fix for dryness, but it really just makes things worse. Saliva dries out more quickly than the amount of moisture it delivers, leaving your lips drier than they were before. So, instead, every time you feel the urge to lick your lips, grab your lip balm instead.
Protect your lips from the elements
Chapped lips could result from weather conditions such as cold winds and intense sun; protect your lips naturally with a scarf or hat during the cold season and a lip balm with SPF in it on sunny days. This adds an extra layer of protection, thereby keeping your lips safe from the UV rays that might cause damage.
Gently Exfoliate
Exfoliating your lips removes dead skin cells to keep your lips smooth. Either use gentle lip scrubs or make one out of sugar and honey at home. Apply using a circular motion on your lips, then rinse with lukewarm water. Excessive exfoliation irritates your lips.
Avoid Products That Irritate
Some products irritate your lips and make them more likely to chap. If you can, avoid using flavored toothpaste or mouthwash because, like mint, they dry your lips out. Use fragrance-free and gentle products that will not infuriate sensitive lips.
Follow a healthy diet
A well-balanced diet with a decent intake of vitamins and minerals, and most importantly, vitamin E and B-complex vitamins, will help to keep your skin healthy, including your lips. Foods rich in this include nuts and seeds, leafy greens, and edible oils.
Run a humidifier.
Another cause of dry, chapped lips could be dry indoor air. A humidifier, particularly during the winter months, adds moisture to the home air and helps to keep your lips moist. This will be very beneficial, especially if you live in an area with low humidity or use central heating.
Avoid food that is very hot and spicy
Foods that are hot and spicy can further irritate your lips, promoting chapping. Avoid foods that appear to irritate the lips. If you need to eat those foods, do so in moderation. Choose milder foods that are less likely to irritate the lips.
Monitor your medications.
Certain medications have dryness as a side effect, as indicated by some medications that are used to treat allergies and high blood pressure. If you notice that your lips get chapped after starting a new medication, you need to consult with your health provider, who can suggest another alternative medicine or give you other means of overcoming the side effects.
The Bottom Line
Chapped lips may be prevented, and there are a few ways to provide protection and care. So here are some basic tips that will help keep your lips soft and healthy-looking all throughout the year: Keep yourself hydrated, use lip balm religiously, and ensure you protect your lips from extreme weather. It all requires a bit of attention and care to live free from chapped lips all through the day.
