How to Keep Your Pretty Pout Moisturized and Protected All Year Round
As one of the most prominent features on your face, your lips are supposed to stand out. Unfortunately, standing out without a shield for protection against harsh or very cold weather can lead to seriously chapped lips.
That's why regularly adding moisture to lips as part of a daily ritual is the best defense against lips that appear dull, cracked, flakey and wind burned.
Periodic, consistent application of a moisturizing lip balm will help seal in lips' natural moisture and form a protective barrier to the cold and wind that frequently exasperate the problem of dry, cracked lips, especially during the harsh winter months. The skin on our lips is very thin and contains few oil glands to keep it lubricated, which means moisture is critical to maintaining a healthy balance.
If lips become severely chapped, a medicated lip product can help alleviate itching while lips heal. There are various over the counter products that are ideal because they provides a very immediate and noticeable relief from hot, itching sensations, while helping to restore a healthy moisture balance to lips.
How to Keep Your Lips Moisturized and Protected All Year Long
In addition to regular moisturizing and protecting lips, taking the following actions to keep your lips healthy through the cold weather season:
Choose a moisturizing balm that contains SPF. Many people don't think about protecting their lips from the sun during short days and cold temperatures, but it helps.
Apply lip balm at bedtime to help keep lips hydrated while you sleep.
Avoid the urge to lick dry lips. Licking your lips actually makes it worse. Bacteria and enzymes in saliva can damage lips and evaporated moisture dries out lips even more.
Drink water regularly, which helps hydrate the entire body.
Use a humidifier where indoor air is particularly dry.
Limit use of medicated products-such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, Retin A -that may intensify chapped lips during cold weather.
Exfoliate skin once a week to keep skin refreshed and vibrant.
Limit hot baths and showers, which can irritate dry skin and lips.
Remove all makeup at night, including lipstick. Sleeping in makeup will is a no-no, as it will age you seven times faster than normal.
Protect your pretty pout all year long with this simple lip-care routine. Hydrate, moisturize and exfoliate and pucker up!