Having painful, chapped lips is definitely not fun and in the winter you are much more likely to suffer . As the skin on your lips is much thinner than it is on the rest of your body, they are more susceptible to damage, especially in the depths of winter. Lips don’t contain oil-producing glands to keep them moist, and so we have to make an extra effort to protect them. Luckily there are steps you can take to look after your lips, so here are the top seven tips to protect our lips in the winter:
Avoid licking your lips.
Saliva contains digestive enzymes that wears down the thin skin on your lips, increasing the possibility of them becoming chapped. It might feel that by licking your lips you are keeping them moist, but, in fact, it is having completely the opposite effect.
Hydrate your lips
Drink plenty of water to keep your lips hydrated from the inside. If you find it difficult to drink water, try adding some slices of lime or cucumber to add a bit of natural flavour. It is recommended to drink plenty of water in winter because the cold air takes the moisture out of your lips.
B-Complex Vitamins
Eat foods which contain plenty of B-complex vitamins i.e. wholegrains, beans, lentils, broccoli, spinach, kale, seeds and nuts. These will give your lips a health boost and help protect them. If you’re deficient in Vitamin B, it can cause chapped lips and cracks in the corners of your mouth. A good diet full of these foods will help look after your lips.
Stay clear of salty and spicy foods.
These irritate lips and cause inflammation and that’s the last thing you need. Instead eat plenty of non-citrus fruit and vegetables as these will balance your body’s PH and help with chapped lips.
Use a good quality natural lip balm
Make sure it contains natural oils, butters and waxes and reapply after you eat or drink and before you go to bed. Lip balms work by providing the skin on your lips with moisture to replace any natural oils that have been lost. If the balm contains wax, it will also create a seal over your lips to keep the moisture in and to protect them from the elements.
Try and limit breathing through your mouth.
So much moisture gets stripped away by the air blowing over it. If at all possible, breathe through your nose and your lips will thank you for it.
Cover your mouth with your scarf
If it is particularly cold and windy outside, make sure you cover your lips. This will help protect your lips from the elements and keep them warm and healthy.
Follow these tips and you will be taking great steps in protecting your lips this winter. Let me know how you get on.