Top 10 Tips for Dry Lips

Are dry lips bothering you right now? The skin on our lips is much thinner and more sensitive to dryness than the rest of our face. As the effects of chilly winter winds and drying central heating conspire to whisk moisture from our skin, our lips are often the first to show signs of suffering.

Here are our top 10 tips to keep your pout pretty and plump.

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Be on top of your vitamins.

Increase your intake of B vitamins, especially riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and cobalamin (B12), as low levels can lead to dry cracked skin.

3. Avoid mouth breathing.

Mouth breathing constantly evaporates any natural oils on the lips.

4. Quit the stick.

Smoking dries out your lips similar to mouth breathing. The act of pursing your lips also promotes the development of lip wrinkles - we don't want that! ;)

5. Don't lick and don't pick!

Resist the urge to lick your lips. Saliva contains mild digestive enzymes that can break sensitive lips. As saliva evaporates, yhis dehydrates skin further.

Picking at already thin skin of the lips can lead to bleeding and discomfort. This also slows down the healing process.

6. Exfoliate.

Buff dead skin cells away using a soft old toothbrush or a gentle sugar scrub to help reduce chapping. Lip balms containing phenol, salicylic acid or alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) can also exfoliate skin.

7. Balm it up!

Apply a thin layer of lip balm. Avoid applying a thick layer as this may tempt you to lick off the excess. Avoid flavoured lip balms as they might encourage you to lick your lips even more.

8. Read the label.

For lip balms, look for ingredients such as petroleum jelly (eg. Vaseline), beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, or oils such as almond and jojoba to help lock in moisture to soften and protect lips.
Balms that contain ceramides or purified medical grade lanolin can help restore the natural skin barrier of your lips.
Avoid products that contain eucalyptus, menthol and camphor, which can cause dryness and irritation.

9. Use creamy lippies.

Creamy lipsticks can act like balms and prevent your lips from chapping.

10. Get Glossy.

Lip gloss can help protect against the drying winter elements. They make your pout look fuller too.

Some content used this article has been adapted from www.lizearlewellbeing.com. Check out her website for more tips on skincare!

What are your tips for dry lips? ♥ Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog

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