Cold weather and low humidity levels result in dry air, which robs the skin of its natural moisture every second of every day. While we usually take steps to avoid damage to our skin and hair in winter, we tend to neglect our lips. The skin on your lips is very thin and has no oil glands to prevent them from chapping. The combination of cold weather and low humidity levels results in dry air and can lead to dry, flaky and chapped lips. All you need to do to take proper care of your lips is give this some extra attention in your daily beauty regimen. Here are 8 winter care tips to keep your lips soft and supple:
- Hydrate from within: What you see on the outside is a reflection of what’s happening inside. Maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of water. Eat food which is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C as this would help to repair the skin tissues and increase collagen production to keep your skin and lips supple.
- Exfoliate: Just like your skin, your lips too need exfoliation to get rid of dull and flaky skin. Regular exfoliation will speed up the process of skin renewal and help you achieve soft and pink lips. Beauty experts recommend natural ingredients for exfoliation. Mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of sugar, apply this thick mixture on your lips, and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Then, rinse it off with cold water. Take care not to overdo the exfoliation.
- Moisturize: After exfoliating your lips, moisturize them. Use either a lip balm that has petrolatum, essential oils or glycerin (these ingredients keep your lips protected for longer period of time) or a homemade moisturizing mask. Such masks can be made from common ingredients found in your kitchen, such as olive oil, honey and milk cream. Simply apply the pack on your lips, or mix it with glycerin and apply it before going to bed to get softer lips in the morning.
- Don’t lick your lips constantly: Many people lick their lips to make them moist, but this actually makes them more prone to dryness. The enzymes in saliva that are meant to digest food would be too harsh on your delicate lips.
- Lip care at Bedtime: Nighttime is the best time to let your lips stayed moisturizing all day long in cold months, so make sure you use a heavy or hydrating lip cream or some petroleum jelly before you sleep. Your body is at rest during this time and tends to repair itself. The lips suck the balm throughout the night that basically keeps alive the pout for hours at daytime. If you need a natural moisturizing element for your lips at night you can use cream, raw milk, ghee (clarified butter) or pure honey (Honey is a natural humectants and antioxidant to moisturize, protect and make the lips healthy).
- Keep a lip balm handy: The most effective way of treating dry lips in winter is by using a lip balm to keep them moisturized. Always carry a lip balm with you and apply it when your lips feel tight.
- Avoid lip balms that contain camphor, eucalyptus and menthol: These ingredients tend to promote more dryness on the lips, making the problem worse.
- Avoid smoking: Quit smoking. Smoking not only impacts health but is also harmful to lip and mouth skin, as it leaves a black stain on the lips and teeth.
