Do you have dry lips? Make it a thing of the past with this all-you-need-to-know lip care guide. From what causes sore, cracked lips to how to prevent and treat them, we’ve got it covered.
Causes of Dry Lips
The skin on your lips is very thin and delicate and therefore more sensitive. You’ll notice your lips become drier or chapped when the air temperature drops, when there’s a bitter wind, or when you’ve been subjected to air conditioning, or they can be burnt when you’re in the sun. In fact, more moisture is lost through your lips than through any other part of your face or body, so it’s no surprise that your lips need extra attention and lots of moisturizing. Upping your water intake to at least one litre a day will make sure your body is hydrated, which in turn gives your lips a moisture boost, but sometimes you need a little help from lip exfoliators and balms, too.
Prevention of Dry Lips
Exfoliate lips twice a week to remove dead skin cells and create a smooth surface to apply your lip balm to. You can make your own scrub by mixing a tablespoon of brown sugar with a tablespoon of honey, and then rub it gently onto your lips with your fingertips in a circular motion. Remove with a clean, damp, muslin cloth. Never exfoliate if your lips have open wounds or are chapped.
Ideally you should try to apply lip balm multiple times every day, so keep it in your handbag, on your desk and bedside table, too. There are different types of lip products available, including:
SPF Lip Balms
The sensitive skin on your lips will easily burn in the sun, so look for products formulated with SPF15 or above to protect them from sun damage.
Classic Lip Balms
Look for products that are formulated with beeswax and petroleum jelly – they will act as a barrier, helping to seal in moisture. Many balms have lip-conditioning properties – look for moisture-rich ingredients such as cocoa butter and aloe vera, which will give your lips a much-needed moisture boost, as well as helping to soothe, nourish and protect them.
Tinted Lip Balms
If lipstick is too much for daytime, opt for a tinted lip balm for a subtle pop of color with the added benefit of being moisturizing. You could even try a product with lip-plumping benefits.
Treatment for Dry Lips
If you’re suffering with dry, sore and chapped lips, regularly apply a medicated balm, ointment or treatment to help soothe, heal and repair them. Never bite or peel off the skin as this will cause more irritation, and avoid licking your lips as this will cause lips to dry out even more.
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