Chronically dry, cracked lips are a problem for so many of us in these winter months. The air is naturally drier during this time of year, compounded by interior heating and a higher consumption of warm, caffeinated drinks. And while many lip balms focus on protecting lips, what can you do if your pucker is already chapped? The focus needs to be on healing then protecting. Here’s how:
Start on the inside: While it’s important to drink water all year long, when you’re being blasted with dry heat inside and a dry environment outside, you need it even more. Try to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. This sounds like a lot, but it’s two glasses with each meal, plus a few in between. One way to jumpstart your water consumption is to drink a full glass first thing in the morning. You lose a lot of water in your sleep, so it’s a good idea to replenish that supply right away.
Nix the alcohol: Some people are sensitive to certain mouthwashes, in particular those containing alcohol. Look for an alcohol free mouthwash, and splash some water on your lips after spitting any mouthwash out. This will prevent you from having any residue lingering on your skin.
Dream of saunas: You really can get more beautiful in your sleep! Bring a humidifier into your bedroom, and you’ll find that all the skin on your body feels better – especially your lips. Since many of us tend to breathe through our mouths when we sleep, it’s vital to ensure that the air we breathe in is humid.
Scrub-a-dub: Stop picking, biting, scraping, and licking your lips! It’s a tall order, but the acids in your saliva that help you to digest actually make your skin drier. Instead, turn to a sugar scrub to exfoliate dead skin. Try this homemade lip scrub from vmac + cheese.
Read the ingredients: Did you know that not all lip balms are created equal? Many of the waxy varieties simply create a layer over your lips. That’s fine if your lips are already in good shape – but you have to get there first. Look for ingredients like shea butter, petroleum, and castor seed oil, which will deliver on intense hydration. We love Maybelline Baby Lips and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. Buy a few so that you’re never stuck without a lip balm on hand!
Joy Uyeno writes daily at her blog, Frock Files, about simple ways to live a happy and beautiful life. Before succumbing to her true nature as a freelance writer and designer in her late twenties, Joy held fourteen jobs in eighteen years, which she wrote about in aLove for Thirty Project piece. She now lives and works in the woods on the North Shore of Massachusetts, and occasionally from her childhood home in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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Twitter: @FrockFiles
Blog: www.Frock Files.com
Twitter: @FrockFiles
Blog: www.Frock Files.com
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