Lip Care

Doesn’t that new lip gloss from Sephora look great? Maybe not… because you have dry, cracked lips. Sometimes, caring for our lips can be an afterthought, but they should be an important part of our skin care routine as well.

A common problem that we have probably all faced at some point is dry, chapped, peeling, and maybe even cracked lips. There can be several factors causing your lips to have problems, but some of the most common are:

1. Dehydration

2. Sun exposure

3. Dry weather

4. Illness (a cold or flu)

5. Licking your lips excessively

Caring for your lips and bringing them back to health doesn’t have to be hard or time consuming. There are several different things you can do, and tools that are right in your own bathroom that can help get rid of your chapped lips.

1. Moisturize: Obviously, you knew this was coming because many women carry chapstick around in their purse or pocket. However, don’t get a chapstick that is particularly tasty. The more you lick your lips, the more they will dry out.

2. Block out the Sun: Since you are going to be moisturizing anyway, why not get a chapstick that offers some SPF protection. If you are wary of having sunscreen directly on your lips, opt for a balm that offers some natural sun protection with ingredients like Vitamin E, evening primrose oil, sesame oil, helichrysum essential oil, carrot seed oil, coconut oil, or peanut oil.^1,2

3. Drink Up:  If you aren’t getting your recommended 64 oz. of water during the day, start drinking! Hydration is the only way to “moisturize” internally, and it’s important.

4. Exfoliate:  Who knew you could even exfoliate your lips? Well, it’s possible, and better yet you already have the necessary tools at home. To exfoliate your lips naturally, lightly wet your toothbrush and poor some sugar on the bristles. Brush your lips in a circular motion for about a minute, rinse, and apply chapstick to your fresh skin.³

^{Photo Courtesty of healingdream at www.freedigitalphotos.net}

Sources

¹Aromatherapy Essential Oils. “Here are some of the most popular base oils and their attributes”. Accessed September 9, 2011. http://www.aromatherapypoint.com/baseoils/.

²Women Fitness. “Herbs offering Sun Protection”. Accessed September 9, 2011. http://www.womenfitness.net/beauty/skin/sun_protect.htm

³Skin Begins. “Caring for Your Lips”. Accessed September 9, 2011. http://www.skinbegins.com/articles/caring-for-your-lips