If the winter season takes a toll on your lips, you are far from the only one. It is common that the cold air, wind and artificial heat inside often causing the lips to become dry, cracked and chapped. These conditions often induce our lips to begin flaking and peeling. Many are quick to slather on their favorite lip balm throughout the day but many times this will only temporarily mask the problem. The answer lies in executing an exceptional lip care regime throughout the cold months. An effective lip care routine can help alleviate or drastically reduce these common unpleasant lip problems.
The skin on the lips is one of the most sensitive parts of the body. It does not much for the lips to be negatively impacted by the change of season. In addition, there are not oil glands in the lips to keep them moisturized so a small dose of harness can result in dried up, chapped lips. Extreme temperatures and high winds are the main culprits of chapping the lips in winter. However, many exasperate the problem without even knowing it. Here are the top 10 ways to keep your lips in tip, top condition.
- Exfoliate
The first step to treat dry skin regardless of it is your lips, face or body is to first exfoliate. Before glossing over with lip balm it is critical that the dry skin has been removed from your lips. Otherwise your lip balm will sit on top of the dry skin and will not be able to effectively penetrate deep into your lips. Gently exfoliate your lips to remove dry, chapped skin with a scrub such as our Brightening Skin Polisher.
- Hydrating Mask
After exfoliating your lips, you want to apply a lip mask that will hydrate, nourish and repair your lips. Some masks are meant to be worn while sleeping to infuse your lips with healthy ingredients through the night. This will replenish moisture and deliver hydrating ingredients to give your lips a healthier appearance.
- Check lip balm ingredients
Lip balms can protect your lips from the sun, cold and wind. However, certain ingredients such as alcohol can cause more harm than good. Opt for lip balms made with natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, beeswax and aloe vera. These ingredients naturally hydrate and protect lips without stripping the lips of moisture. For intense lip hydration try LIPSMART. This product delivers five main actives to achieve a powerful moisture restoring effect along with a combination of plant derived conditioners to compensate for the loss of moisture. LIPSMART has a dual action that boosts hydration and retains moisture.
- Use a humidifier
Balance the environment in your home and/or work by utilizing a humidifier. This adds moisture to the air that is constantly being dried out by heating systems in the winter.
- Protect Your Face
Use a scarf to pull over your lower face when your lips will be exposed to the cold air and wind. This will prevent your lips from being directly exposed to the cold air.
- Increase your fluid intake
It is pivotal to always stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. Incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet boosts your lips ability to stay nourished and moisturized.
- Add vitamin B to your diet
If dryness is causing your lips to become painful your vitamin B levels may be lower than normal. Adding a vitamin B supplement or increasing your intake of skim milk, eggs, tofu and red meat can also boost your vitamin B levels.
- Don’t smoke
There are endless health benefits to living a smoke free life and healthy lips in just one of many. Smoking wreaks havoc on the face and body, including chapped lips. Lips of a smoker will always have a drier and dark hue. Smoking makes it almost impossible to for lips to reach their highest potential. To restore youthful and rejuvenated lips stay away from cigarettes.
- Decrease alcohol intake
Alcohol causes dehydration of the skin including the lips. You may notice the day after drinking that your lips are drier than normal. If you are battling chronic dry lips, it is best to skip the drinks during the winter.
- Apply sunscreen
Use a daily lip balm with sunscreen that contains a broad spectrum of 15 SPF or above. This not only protects your lips from the cold and wind but shields your lips from the damaging rays of the sun.
