Winter has its challenges when it comes to skin care. Harsh drying air takes its bitter winter toll on our skin, hair and lips. Cracked dry lips are not only icky- they hurt. But it doesn't have to be that way. Amp up your routine with a few little fixes to have those lips smacking softly in no time. Banish chapped lips from your life with these easy lip life-hacks.
Stop licking them is rule number one! While you may get a second of temporary relief, it doesn't last and does more damage. There are digestive enzymes and bacteria in your saliva, which is what dries them out even more.
Instead, use a lip balm that contains a nourishing base like shea or beeswax Bustle suggests. If you want them extra soft, find a lip balm with lanolin. Applying lip balm before bed as part of your nightly routine will have you waking up with soft kissable lips in no time.
Gently exfoliate your lips once or twice a week to remove the dead skin cells and keep them soft throughout the winter harsh winter months. Rub them gently with a dampened soft washcloth or soft bristled toothbrush, or try a lip scrub. Afterwards, apply a good moisturizer to nourish your lips. A good lip moisturizer will have shea butter, emu butter, coconut oil or vitamin e oil to keep your lips as hydrated as they can be.
Both your lips and your skin will thank you for investing in a humidifier. It doesn't have to be an expensive one, just one that puts moisture back into the air. The drying in the winter months are due in part to the lack of humidity in the air. Try to maintain a 30 to 40 percent humidity in your home during the winter for maximum results, Wintercount says.
Vitamin deficiencies can also cause your lips to dry and crack, according to Livestrong. Taking a multivitamin supplement that includes vitamins B-3, B-12, zinc and vitamin A will make a difference.
And last, but surely not least, all of the experts agree that staying hydrated is key to skin hydration as well. Drinking your eight full glasses of water a day will help flush out any toxins and keep your skin and lip moisturized from the inside out.
