Vitamin E & Chapped Lips

Chapped, dry or cracked lips are an all-too-common beauty dilemma, particularly in harsh weather of any kind. Many people deal with dried-out lips during the winter, but the problem can continue in sunny seasons, too -- lips contain little melanin, which provides some protection from the sun. Although vitamin E is not a miracle cure-all for the condition, it can help keep your lips hydrated and healthy when used as part of a larger regimen.

Advantages and Application of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant and a natural conditioner, even possessing some protective properties like those of a mild sunscreen. It's known for speeding up the wound healing process. To treat chapped, irritated lips, Reader's Digest recommends taking vitamin E capsules, puncturing them and applying the oil directly to your lips 1. Help prevent future cases by using balms that make use of vitamin E's benefits, such as Burt's Beeswax Lip Balm. Women should skip matte lipsticks in favor of moisturizing ones, but if you must use a matte shade, apply a lip moisturizer containing vitamin E beforehand.