Chapped lips are a common problem, especially during cold winter months. They are caused by a multitude of factors including exposure to the elements, licking the lips, dehydration and some cosmetic problems. There are many products available advertised to treat chapped lips, but only some of them work. Paula Begoun, The Cosmetic's Cop, states that lips become easily chapped because they are the only skin on the body without oil glands. Although it will require a daily commitment on your part, dry chapped lips can be treated and even prevented.
Step 1
Exfoliate your lips each night before bed. This can be done by rubbing a washcloth over your lips or by brushing them gently with your toothbrush while brushing your teeth. You can also use a lip exfoliating product such as a lip mask. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and allows the lip balm to penetrate the lips more easily.
Step 2
Apply a moisturizing lip balm to your lips after exfoliating each night. Look for products containing ingredients such as bees wax, natural oils such as almond oil, rose oil or coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, petrolatum, vitamin C, vitamin E and cocoa butter. Avoid products lacking true moisturizing ingredients. Some lip balms only create a waxy layer on the lips and do nothing to moisturize.
Step 3
Use a lip balm during the daytime that contains sunscreen to protect lips from the sun's rays, which damage and dry out the lips. Apply lip balm during the day frequently, especially after eating or drinking. Maintaining a moisturizing product on your lips at all times will allow them to heal and prevent them from drying out further.
Tips and Warnings
- For women, reapplying a moisturizing lipstick often throughout the day will protect lips from sun damage and will keep them hydrated. Avoid matte lipsticks however; they tend to have a drying effect. Some believe that frequent use of lip products will cause the lips to become dependent on the products. This belief is a myth. Some lip products may contain ingredients which irritate the lips, increasing dryness. Constant use of these products will exacerbate chapped lips, but frequent use of moisturizing lip balms will not.
Things You'll Need
- Toothbrush, washcloth or specialized lip exfoliating product
- Moisturizing lip balm
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