Natural Lip Balms: The Key To Luscious Lips Through Winter
Winter can be a tough season for our lips, as the cold air and heated indoor environments can lead to dryness, flaking, and chapping. When the lips become excessively dry and chapped, they can feel sore and uncomfortable, and also make applying lipstick more difficult.
This can make it seem impossible to look and feel your best, especially when the mouth is such a focal point and vital to staying well nourished and hydrated, as well as for communicating. Here’s a look at how to take care of your lips in winter with natural lip balms and other tips for luscious lips.
Why do we need to take extra special care of our lips?
The lips have no oil glands, so they cannot quickly replenish lost moisture. The skin on our lips is also thinner and more sensitive than skin on other parts of the body, and so is more susceptible to damage and dehydration. The face is also most frequently exposed to the elements, so cold winter weather and lack of humidity can soon lead to dryness.
What are the symptoms of chapped lips?
The symptoms of chapped lips include skin that is scaly, cracked, or flaking, and sometimes the lips may be itchy. If the lips are also hot and swollen, and are causing pain or discomfort, you should seek medical advice as this could be the sign of an infection.
If you have fluid filled blisters on your lips or around your mouth, this could be a cold sore, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus 1. The virus can be spread by skin to skin contact, or by sharing towels or utensils that have been used by an infected person.
What causes chapped lips?
The main trigger of chapped lips is cold weather, particularly when combined with dry windy conditions. They can also be a sign of dehydration or a vitamin deficiency. Other causes of dry cracked lips include sun exposure, allergies, or an injury to the lip.
How can dry lips be managed?
Using a good quality lip balm is essential for both preventing and treating chapped lips. It’s best to look for organic natural ingredients that are free from artificial colourings, fragrances or flavours, as these may irritate damaged skin further.
You may need to experiment with a few different types before you find one that really works for you, as we are all unique and may be sensitive to different ingredients. If you choose to apply the lip balm from a pot with the tip of your finger, make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly before and afterwards to minimise the risk of spreading infections.
Of course, when it comes to 100 per cent natural ingredients, there may be many different types that suit you. If you love colours and delicious fragrances in your lip balm, don’t worry because there are plenty of organic plant-based options. Look for ingredients such as calendula, cocoa butter and avocado, that are rich and soothing without causing irritation.
Other do’s and don’ts for winter lip care
Avoid licking your lips
If you have very dry lips, it can be tempting to lick them as a quick way to soften them up, but this will only make the problem worse because saliva evaporates quickly. Keep your lip balm handy so that you can have it ready to apply whenever your lips feel dry.
Do not try to remove flaky skin
Flaking skin on your lips looks unsightly, but if you try to remove it, you are likely to cause further damage. Gentle exfoliation with a soft brush may help, but too much pressure will harm the skin and delay the healing process.
Protect your lips when outdoors
Before going outside in cold weather, apply lip balm with an SPF of 15 or above to provide an extra layer of protection, and reapply it every two hours. If the weather is exceptionally cold or windy, cover your lips with a scarf.
Stay well hydrated
Dry cracked lips are often the result of dehydration, so make sure that you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
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