5 Tips for Preventing Dry, Cracked Lips
As most of us know from experience, the upcoming dry season can take a toll on our skin. In addition to aggravating eczema, psoriasis, and other skin issues, winter conditions commonly lead to dry, chapped lips. So, what can be done to avoid this arid affair? Here are five tips for preventing dry, cracked lips this season and beyond.
How to Prevent Chapped Lips
1. Drink Lots of Water
When it comes to taking care of your skin, and avoiding dry skin, so much boils down to simply staying hydrated. This is especially true for preventing and healing dry, cracked lips. Keeping your body hydrated will restore moisture to your skin cells, including those in your lips. Experts suggest that each day you drink about an ounce of water per pound that you weigh. In addition to drinking enough water each day, consider keeping your immediate environment hydrated by installing humidifiers, especially in your bedroom.
2. Limit Licking
Most of us are guilty of licking our lips throughout the day, whether out of habit or as a measure to restore some moisture to lips that have dried. Unfortunately, this common gesture only provides immediate relief to your dry lips. To make matters worse, incessantly licking your lips can actually dry them out further and expose them to further harm. So, try to stay conscious of how often you lick your lips and do your best to avoid this practice whenever possible.
3. Embrace a Quality Lip Balm
One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent and treat dry lips is by applying a reliable lip balm throughout the day. Lip balms may be composed of a variety of materials, such as beeswax, petroleum, or some kind of oil, designed to form a moisture barrier on your lips. As a result, applying lip balm helps you retain lip hydration and keep negative forces at bay. Generally speaking, the best lip balms contain sun protection (SPF) to shield your lips from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, as well as vitamins and nutrient-rich compounds to help regenerate tissue. Your dermatologist can help you choose the right type of lip balm for your skin.
4. Beware Irritating Products
Unfortunately, some of the products you might use to enhance your skin’s appearance may have detrimental effects. Certain cosmetic dermatology products, for instance, such as lip gloss and lipstick, especially those containing alcohol, may strip natural oils from your lips. Even some medications, like acne creams, can end up drying out your lips if they contact this part of your face. If these products negatively affect your lips, make sure you protect your lips beforehand with an aforementioned lip balm or petroleum jelly to seal the moisture in your lips and protect them from other chemicals.
5. Stay Out of the Sun
As nice as the sun’s rays can feel on your face, they can quickly dry up your lips if you’re not properly protected, even in the winter. To avoid these outcomes and sun damage more broadly, limit your time out in the sun, and make sure you apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin, including lip balm containing sun protection to your lips.
Keep your lips bright, smooth, soft, hydrated, and healthy by following these tips. If you’re looking for additional advice on taking care of your lips and skin this winter and beyond, the experts at Premier Dermatology Partners can deliver. To learn more about our providers and all the services we offer, contact us today.