Treating Dry, Chapped Lips

I carry around Cherry Chap Stick wherever I go. Hubby calls it my security blanket. I literally lose my mind if I lose my Chap Stick, and I am completely uncomfortable without it. Can anyone guess why? Yup, I have dry, chapped lips, and without controlling the irritating condition, I'm in trouble. Here are ways I use to keep my dry, chapped lips under control, especially in the winter months when chapped lips are at their ultimate worst.

First of all, don't lick your lips! Yeah, I am calling the kettle black since I lick my lips all day long without even thinking about it, but there is a way to stop licking your lips and making your chapped lips worse. Every time you go to lick your lips, press them together instead, and you will conciously begin breaking (or at least reducing) a habit that actually creates dry, chapped lips in the first place. I haven't licked the habit yet (pun intended), but I can go a whole day without Chap Stick now (gasp!).

Always carry around a hydrating Chap Stick, not a lip gloss. Cherry Chap Stick works for me, because I like the texture and it doesn't taste good to me. Which means I won't be rubbing or licking it off. Plus, it has a slight tint to it. And it's cheap. What's not to like? A lip gloss won't hydrate your lips but it will make them sticky, which tempts you to lick them. Stick to a lip balm that will ease your lips, not make the condition worse. Even Vaseline is a great choice (try Bag Balm on your lips at night- it works wonders).

Drink tons of water, and put sunscreen on your lips. Your lips are thin and the winter reflective sun will burn them and dry them out. Sunscreen also tastes like crap so you won't be so tempted to lick them all day long. It's a win-win. You can also do well to choose a lip balm that has sunscreen in it already.

To avoid chewing on dead, dry skin on your lips, gently exfoliate your lips after showering with a wet cloth. In a circular motion, rub the dead skin off your lips, then immediately hydrate them with a balm or lotion to keep them supple and silky soft.

At night, you can take advantage of your sleep time by super hydrating your lips with something healthy and awesome for your lips. My picks? Bag Balm (as mentioned above), olive oil, Vaseline, or Vicks Vapo Rub. Seriously. Vicks leaves your lips nice and tingly, and if you have a stuffy nose in winter, will also open up your nasal cavities. Just don't eat it.

Source:

personal experience