Chapped Lips Ruining Your Day? Lip Service: Chapped Lips
Remedy
Cold weather can be brutal on all parts of your body – faces flake, hair dries,
hands redden, feet crack, and, for young girls especially, lips chap. No one likes
the feeling of dry, cracked-lips, and for many of us, nothing seems to work fast
enough. Just as the harsh winds whip and the humidity plummets, we figure the time
is right to offer some advice to help heal chapped lips.
Chapped lips are caused by overexposure to wind, sun or dry conditions in any season,
but winter is especially problematic. Lips are vulnerable since they have an extremely
thin outer layer. They retain less moisture than other parts of the body, so they
tend to dry out quicker. The automatic remedy when your lips start to feel like
the desert is to lick them. Unfortunately when the saliva evaporates, they'll feel
even worse.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the best advice to keep your lips
from becoming dry and cracked is to first protect them from the elements drying
them out. Check out our top 10 tips to keep your lips moisturized, even in the harshest
winter weather.
Apply an unflavored lip balm with sunscreen
wherever you go. Petroleum jelly or an aloe vera gel will work to keep your lips
greasy and properly moisturized, and prevent them from drying out. Emollients like
lanolin, oils of any kind, Shea butter and vitamins are other useful ingredients
to look for in a lubricating balm. Apply it often during the day. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Wear scarves or jackets that block the
wind from getting to your lips. Ask your parents to invest in a humidifier
to moisturize the air in your home after they turn on the heat. If you wear lipstick, make sure it's
glossy — matte lipstick tends to dry out your lips. Before applying your lipstick,
dab on a very small amount of lip balm or petroleum jelly.
To keep your lips smooth and soft, and if they aren’t cracked or bleeding, apply
a bunch of petroleum jelly, then use a soft toothbrush, in a circular motion, to
massage your lips. Wipe the excess off with a tissue.
Avoid flavored lip balms. They can be more fun and certainly taste better, but they
also give you an excuse to keep licking your lips, making them wear off quickly
and are not a good chapped lips remedy. Choose a lip balm with all-natural ingredients.
Also, pure vegetable oils and butters with beeswax provide a safe barrier. Coconut
oil is mild and soothing, and coconut butter is rich and creamy — both are perfect
for the lips. Medicated lip products sound good, but
they usually contain menthol, peppermint oil or other additives that can further
irritate your lips. Be sure to read the ingredients on the side of the tube before
you buy one. Avoid anything that's drying. That includes
long hot baths and showers, deodorant soaps and any product or cleanser that contains
alcohol.
Looking for a chapped lips remedy? Get tips and tricks from teen girls at BeingGirl.com.
