Winter can really be hard on your lips. Do you find yourself fighting the battle of trying to keep your lips hydrated? Not only can chapped lips can be unsightly, they can also be painful. Many of my clients ask me about what they can do to avoid chapped lips, so it’s only fair that I share it with all of you all of my tips! Here are my chapped lips do’s and don’ts.
Do: Drink Plenty of Water
I know, it seems so simple! But do you drink enough water? Your water intake can really effect not only your lips but your entire body. How much is enough? I recently learned that it’s really different for everyone and can be dependent on many factors. If you are thirsty, that means you are likely dehydrated. The key is to not feel thirsty. So be sure to drink up!
Don’t: Lick Your Lips
When your lips are dehydrated, it can be tempting to lick and moisten them. The affect is temporary and might make things worse. Licking your lips coats them in a layer of your saliva, which contains enzymes and chemicals used to digest food in your mouth. These enzymes can lead to additional dryness.
Do: Use a Lip Balm
Look for these ingredients when choosing a lip balm: Bees wax, ceramics, a humectant like urea or glycerin, dimethicone, lanolin, and cocoa butter that is paraben free.
Don’t: Avoid Lip Balms Containing Certain Ingredients
When your lips are chapped, stay away from ingredients that can irritate them even more. It’s best to avoid, include: menthol, peppermint, cinnamon, phenol, fragrances, artificial colors, alcohol, and salicylic acid.
Do: Apply A Lip Mask Before Bed
Applying a lip mask at night will leave you with hydrated, soft lips in the morning. Masks trap in moisture and your body does a lot of rejuvenating at night, so it’s a win, win! Look for ingredients such as shea butter, glycerin and natural oils.
Don’t: Bite and Pick Your Lips
I know it can be tempting, but avoid biting or picking your lips can tear more skin off, which can lead to open sores and possibly infection. Not to mention it can make things look worse!
Do: Use a Lip Scrub
Use a gentle lip scrub made specifically for the delicate skin on your lips to help remove those dry, pesky pieces of skin. Look for those containing sugar crystals that will gently buff away dead skin cells.
Don’t: Avoid Certain Lip Formulas
If your lips are chapped, don’t use certain plumping, matte or long-wear lip products. They usually don’t have any extra moisturizing ingredients and can be a bit drying. Instead grab a lip stick rich in moisture rich ingredients such as: shea butter, bees wax and grape seed oil.
Do: Rinse Away All Of Your Toothpaste
Some toothpaste ingredients have been known to leave lips flaky. Some people can even develop an allergy to some toothpastes, which can appear like chapped lips. Get in the habit of rinsing away any toothpaste residue with water after brushing your pearly whites.
Don’t: Go Out In The Sun Without SPF Lip Balm
Get in the habit of applying a lip balm with SPF in the daytime. Even in the winter. The thinner, more delicate skin on your lips is very susceptible to damage caused by UV rays.
Do: Use A Humidifier
Running a humidifier especially in the winter when your heat is running, or in dry climates puts moisture back into the air and can improve dry, itchy skin and help it retain that hydration, even in your lips. If the air in your house is dry, it can pull moisture out of your skin which leaves you parched.
Don’t: Use Retinoids Close To Your Lips
Your lips are similar to your under-eyes, as they have thinner skin so be a bit more cautious when applying retinol, retinoids or even products containing AHAs, BHAs that can be drying to your delicate lips.
Do you have any chapped lips do’s or don’ts that I missed? I’d love to hear from you!
