Use Lip Balm
Protect your lips from the elements by using lip balms and ointments. These skin care tools are essential to keep the area moisturized and healthy. Try to choose the ones that are high in emollients and contain beneficial ingredients like petrolatum and dimethicone, which lock in moisture and seal off cracks.
If you are using lipstick, remember to apply the lip balm before to protect your lips from possible makeup irritations. And remember to apply and reapply often. In total, you need to apply the product at least six times a day, so make sure to plan ahead of your schedule.
Protect Them Against The Elements
You might think that only the sun can harm the lips when you are outside, but many other factors can severely damage them. The wind and the cold are perfect catalysts for dry skin, as well as intense heat. So protecting yourself against them is your best strategy.
To shield your lips from the sun, be sure to apply sunscreen before going out. Some lip balms have UV protection, so you can do two in one and reapply when necessary. In order to stave off the wind and cold on your lips, you can wear ski masks or scarfs when the wind picks up in the winter.
Hydrate And Moisturize
Drinking enough water is never easy, but it is the only way to ensure your whole body has the necessary hydration. This is also very true for your lips. If they get dehydrated, they chap and look bad. So try to drink up and reach the daily eight glasses needed.
Another way to keep your lips moisturized is to use a humidifier and lip hydrating creams. The best option for using the humidifier is to make it work at night while you sleep, so your lips can soak up the moisture in the air and remain soft and round.
Avoid Touching Your Lips
It is very tempting to lick your lips when you feel them dry or peel the flaky skin when they are chapped, but try your best not to do it. These actions are more detrimental than helpful and can cause long-term effects. So try to keep yourself from doing them.
Licking your lips only applies saliva to them, which absorbs the humidity around them when it dries. You should also stay away from exfoliating the area, as it can cause even more damage to chapped lips. Just apply lip balm or ointments instead.
Listen To Your Lips
This part of the body is very sensitive and presents very clear signs when something is wrong. So taking a good look at them is essential to keeping them healthy. Avoid “natural treatments” with ingredients like eucalyptus, menthol and camphor, as they can dry or irritate your lips.
Be aware of your allergies as well. Check the products you buy for signs of beeswax, shea butter, castor seed and soybean oil, since they are the most frequent ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. If that is a problem, you can switch to a petroleum jelly-based product, although it is less ecological.