The wintertime is full of family gatherings and joyous occasions, but the cold weather can bring on many obstacles; one of those obstacles being dry and chapped lips. The skin that's on your lips doesn't contain any oil glands and is very thin and sensitive, so it's a lot easier for them to dry out than the rest of your skin. Drinking lots of water is a good preventative measure for this, but sometimes it's just not enough. So, we have some tips to help heal your dry and chapped lips to get you ready for all of your holiday celebrations!
Avoid Irritating Lip Balm
There are many ingredients that are in some lip balms that can actually dry out your lips instead of helping them. Some ingredients to look for and avoid are menthol, camphor, and phenol. Another thing you should be looking for and avoiding are any lip balms that burn when you apply them. A lot of people believe that the burn beans the lip balm is working but that is really not the case. If your lip balm is burning, stop using it and try to opt for some fragrance free or hypoallergenic balm instead.
Always Use SPF
Many lip balms have SPF in them, and these are usually good lip balms to turn to. You should apply SPF anytime you are going outside and apply it frequently for the duration you are out. Your upper lip will actually need some extra attentiveness, as it gets more UV exposure than your bottom lip does.
Do NOT Lick Your Lips!!
You may sometimes feel like you need to lick your lips when they are dry, but this can actually make your lips more dry and will not moisturize them. Your saliva evaporates quickly, which is what makes your lips drier. You're better off just waiting until you can get back to your lip balm.
Wear A Scarf
If you don't already wear a scarf during the winter, it might be a good idea to start. Scarves can help you keep your lips from getting chapped if you use them correctly. Instead of only covering your neck with your scarf, you should also cover the bottom half of your face, including your lips. This will keep the harsh wind off of your lips and will keep it from drying out your lips even more.