For some, the winter weather brings the inevitability of an extensive periods spent with dry, chapped and perhaps even painful lips. Cold weather doesn’t bode well for our skin at the best of times, but can be particularly harmful on our lips.
This is because the skin on our lips is significantly thinner than the skin that protects the rest of our body. In addition, the glands our skin relies on to produce protective and moisturising natural oils are far less prevalent in our lips than elsewhere. Precisely why lips often become chapped and unsightly when exposed to cold weather.
Sometimes, the problem becomes so bad that a trip to the doctor or dermatologists is called for. After which, a course of treatment may be able to bring things back under control. But in most instances, it really isn’t necessary to resort to such extremes. There’s nothing you can do about the weather, but there’s plenty you can do for your lips.
Even if you prefer to keep your lip-care regime 100% natural, there’s a ton you can do to keep your lips in the best possible condition during the winter.
Prevention is always preferable to cure, so arm yourself with the following expert tips and tricks for a more comfortable and confident cold season:
1. Do Not Touch or Lick Your Lips
First and foremost, your lips don’t have nearly the same strong natural defences as the skin that coats the rest of your body. As a result, you only stand to damage this fragile skin each time you lick or touch your lips. It can be a difficult habit to get out of – particularly if your lips are already dry, itchy and uncomfortable. Nevertheless, every touch can and probably will make the problem worse than it already is. If you musttouch your lips for any reason, ensure that your hands are flawlessly clean before doing so.
2. Eat a Healthier Diet
It’s often said that beauty starts from within, which couldn’t be truer when it comes to the health of your lips. Your body needs certain quantities of vitamins and nutrients on a regular basis, in order to glow externally. Your lips rely on positive dietary choices and consistent nutrition, just like every other part of your body. So if you want to do your lips a favour this winter, it all starts with a healthy and balanced diet.
3. Stay Hydrated
Do yourself a favour and start measuring exactly how much water you drink every day. Unless you drink at least 2 litres of the stuff, you’re not drinking enough. It can be particularly difficult to remember to drink enough water during the winter, when you’re less likely to feel thirsty and dehydrated than during the summer. Nevertheless, your skin depends on a consistent supply of moisture to staymoist and supple – which includes your lips.
4. Be Careful with Makeup
If you plan on wearing lip makeup during the winter, stick exclusively with products that have been clinically tested as kind and nourishing. Low-grade cosmetics can take a toll on the health of your lips at the best of times, so should be avoided at all costs during the winter. Also, ensure every trace of makeup has been gently yet effectively removed before turning in for the night.
5. Enhance Your Oral Health Regime
It’s also worth stepping things up with your oral health in general, ensuring your mouth as a whole remains as clean, healthy and happy as possible. Invest in a high-quality electric toothbrush recommended by dentists, along with a powered water-flosserfor the clean of a lifetime. Keep your mouth flawlessly clean and your lips will thank you.
6. Hydrate Overnight
Here’s a simple tip that often works wonders – apply a decent layer of heavy hydrating lip moisturiser or petroleum jelly before going to bed. The period between going to sleep and waking up can wreak havoc on your lips – particularly if your central heating system is drying the air around the home. Instead of waking up with dry and damaged lips, you’ll be ready to face the day with a soft and supple smile.
7. Massage Your Lips
If you really feel like pampering yourself, you could get into the habit of administering a DIY lip massage on a daily basis. Grab some natural oils that are safe and suitable for lips, place a small amount on your freshly sanitised fingers and give your lips a gentle rub in a circular motion. Along with working its magic on the surface of your lips, the massaging action stimulates blood flow and ensures key nutrients are delivered from within.
8. Don’t Forget to Exfoliate
As part of your skincare regime for your lips, you should always ensure that they are exfoliated on a regular basis. For this, you’ll need to invest in an all-natural exfoliating product that’s specially designed for the lips. Generic exfoliants not necessarily being safe to use on such delicate skin. Or if you prefer, there are plenty of ‘recipes’ online for throwing together your own natural lip exfoliants with a few staples you’ve probably got lying around your home.
9. Carry Lip Balm at All Times
Whether you intend to be away from home for 5 minutes or 5 weeks, you need to ensure you have enough lip balm to go the distance. What’s more, you’ll also want to take things to extremes with its application. Particularly when the weather is at its coldest, lather as much of the stuff on as you can tolerate to serve as a protective barrier from the bracing temperatures.
10. Speak to a Dermatologist
Last but not least, there comes a time when you may need to seek professional advice. If you’re really struggling with the health and condition of your lips and none of these tips have proved helpful, book yourself an appointment with a dermatologist. Far better than suffering in silence until the spring finallyrolls around!