Why do we need to take care of our lips?
The skin on your lips is more sensitive than the skin on your entire body, thus vulnerable to chapping and cracking. Lips can not protect themselves as they have minimal oil glands and zero ability to produce melanin. So, they undergo dehydration and chaffing. Your lips tend to flake in harsh weather conditions, when it is very sunny or when there is lots of heavy wind.
12 tips for taking care of your lips
- Drink more water to keep your lips from drying out
- Avoid licking your lips as this sucks out the moisture
- Exfoliate your lips with a scrub or toothbrush to remove dry, dead and flakey skin 1-2 times a week
- Wear a lip balm with SPF to help protect your lips from environmental aggressors during the day
- Wear a moisturising lip mask to help combat nighttime dryness
- Reapply lip balm every few hours especially after drinking and eating
- Wear lipstick or lip balm during the day as it acts as a protective layer
- Let your lips breathe at night; remember to remove all traces of lipstick
- Ingredients to avoid in lip balms: camphor, cinnamon, eucalyptus oilm menthol, peppermint oil and synthetic fragrance
- Ingredients your lip balm should have: white petrolatum, lanolin, shea butter, beeswax, glycerin and ceramides
- If your lips are sensitive, keep them away from metallic objects such as jewellery, zippers, pen caps, paper clips
- Set up a humidifier if you live in dry climates to keep your lips moisturised at night
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