During the fall and winter, lips experience dryness which can lead to chapping and peeling. Although uncomfortable, it really is an easy fix.
People experience chapped lips more in the wintertime than in the summertime. The cold soaks up moisture and accelerates lip damage. The natural tendency is to lick the lips, but that's the worst thing to do. This habit aggravates the problem causing more issues.
Cracked lips in cooler weather is caused by environmental conditions including:
Cold temperaturesThe flu or cold that forces someone to breathe out of their mouthsIndoor heating systems and car heaterWind
Mild dehydration causes dry lips, so even though it's chilly outside do still drink plenty of water throughout the day. Those treating chapped lips need to scale back on their coffee and tea intake because caffeine does dehydrate the body.
Topical lip balms and conditioners are a great choice for treatment.
It's important to point out that although the winter skies are overcast, it's always a good idea to find a lip balm with a sun protection factor. Ultraviolet rays still penetrate cloudy skies and damage skin.
And if winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are on the seasonal calendar, these activities can also worsen lip issues. So wear lip balm, a ski mask or scarf regularly.
If there's time for research, log on to the Skin Cancer Foundation website. There, one will find a list of products that are approved by this organization which will have a SPF formula.
For years, people turned to petroleum to treat dry lips but it's been discovered that the more it was used, the more chapped their lips became.
Also avoid these formulas in lip products because they irritate dry lips even more, such as:
AlcoholCapascin (made from chili peppers)MentholPhenol
Some of the above products plump up lips, but on the flip side, they may dehydrate them instead. Like always, consult with a skin care professional on what is best.
Other great lip restoring ingredients are:
Aloe VeraAnti-OzonateCoconut OilShea butter
Typically, it takes about a week to treat chapped lips. During this timeframe, abstain from eating salty and spicy foods because this can aggravate the problem.
Also, while indoor heating is cranking in the home, think about investing in a humidifier. Having it in the bedroom will help moisten dry lips while getting some shuteye.
If dry lips persist for more than a couple of weeks or if they begin to bleed, it's recommended to seek the help of a health care professional.
Author, Steven Stern, is also chief esthetics officer of Skin Care Heaven based in Carlsbad, California, and has immersed himself in providing an array of sterling skin care items, mineral makeup products, and skin care devices at his e-commerce store. Providing skin care advice and tips fuels his passion in helping others. Please visit http://www.SkinCareHeaven.com to learn more.
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