Remedies for Chapped Lips
We've all done it. In the winter, your lips get dry. You can't find your lip balm, moisturizer or anything to quench that parched feeling on the outside of your mouth. You stick your tongue out a and moisten your smackers for instant relief. Bad idea! Licking your lips can dry them out even further because saliva contains digestive enzymes that wear the lips' thin skin down, making them susceptible to environmental exposure. But this is just one cause of dry, chapped lips.
Vitamin, iron or essential fatty acid deficiencies can also cause chapped lips as these nutrients are all needed to keep the skin hydrated. Lack of water intake is another common cause of that irritations sandpaper feeling. Make sure to drink the recommended eight or more glasses of water a day to avoid dry lips and skin. During winter, the change in climate condition can also be a factor. Follow these do's and don'ts to avoid chapped lips.
Do eat vitamin A rich foods (carrots, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables) or supplement with Vitamin A.
Don't peel dead skin from lips.
Do keep skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a humidifier.
Don't lick or bite your lips.
Do apply (paraben-free) lip balm with SPF before you venture outside outside and moisturize before bed
Be good to your chops and next time - resist the temptation to lick your lips and kiss those chapped lips goodbye!
Caught without lip balm?
- Open a capsule of vitamin E and spread just a few drops over lips; rub the extra onto your hands, elbows or knees
- Head to the kitchen and apply a few drops of vegetable (avocado, sesame or olive) oil to lips
- Dab some honey on those puckers - the antibacterial properties will help health and also give you some sweet lips
- Out and about and desperate not to wet your whistle? Dab a tiny bit of butter or margarine (unsalted, if possible) on those smackers
- And if lips are causing you pain, try holding an ice cube to your lips to bring soothing, temporary relief