Just like the rest of your skin, cold temperatures can really damage your lips, leaving them dry and cracked. Unfortunately, even being indoors may not provide any relief, as a hot room can dry out lips even more.
To keep your wrinkles healthy and hydrated, consider these tips from lip balm makers Carmex, and Dr. Neil Sadick, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City.
• Lower humidity in the colder months tends to deplete and dehydrate us. As tempting as it may be to lick your lips, unfortunately, this approach will only make matters worse – because saliva pulls moisture away from your lips as it evaporates. Instead, keep your lips hydrated from the inside out by drinking lots of water.
• Use a moisturizing lip balm with ingredients that will lock in the moisture and stay on your lips. If you are not allergic to sunscreen, use a product with an SPF of 15 or higher, like Carmex Lip Balm Stick, to protect from the sun — not just on sunny days, but every day. Get into the habit of applying lip balm three to four times a day, guaranteeing that one application is before bed to counter the drying effects of indoor heating.
• Avoid high-gloss lipsticks with little or no color. They are potentially harmful to lips because they can attract UV rays. Avoid these colours completely or try a three-layer approach for added protection: first apply a lip balm with SPF, followed by a tinted lipstick, then finish with a little bit of shimmer.
• Cover your face, particularly on windy days. Make sure you have a scarf that you can pull up to cover your lips when the wind starts to blow.
• When indoors, think about using a humidifier in a dry environment to help moisturize your skin and lips.
Healthier lip tips can be found at mycarmex.com.
There is no reason to suffer through chapped lips. Good habits, such as applying lip balm or lip balm that contains SPF, can help you keep your lips healthy and moisturised.
