10 TIPS FOR BATTLING DRY LIPS

                         

Hello lovelies,how is the weather at your end? Letx talk,

How well do you know your lips? They help you eat, speak, whistle and kiss,  Do you know they're sensitive and thin-skinned?

Our skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and a subcutaneous fat layer. The stratum corneum tops the epidermis as a protective layer (against bacteria, moisture loss, heat and light), but the skin on our lips is much thinner than the skin covering most of our body -- in fact, on our lips this protective layer is four to five times thinner compared than the skin on our face. And because there are no sweat glands or hair follicles on our lips, they don't get the same kind of natural protection that skin on other areas of our body does.

The loss of natural oils may happen due to exposure to sun, cold dry winds or even repeated licking. Chapped lips are dry, red and painful. They may split and bleed causing immense discomfort. So, treating dry, chapped lips can be tricky. Keeping them soft and smooth may seem like a constant battle, but here are 10 tips to help keep your lips pretty and plump;

Hydrate your body by drinking plenty of water. Dehydration can cause dryness of lips. Increase your water intake to keep your lips looking fresh. You can also humidify the rooms to deal with dryness.
 
Balms: Serious Lip Service; 
Lip balms can bring a smile to even the sorest dry lips; they build a barrier between your lips' mucus membranes and the outside world, helping lock must-have moisture in.
Remember to apply just a thin coat of lip balm.
 
Soft toothbrush; Use a soft toothbrush to softly buff your lips to remove the deposit of dead cells that will cause more drying and flaking.
 
Stop Licking Your Chops;
Licking your lips may seem like an easy way to moisten things up, but it actually does more harm than good. Lips usually lack the protective outer membrane found on most other skin, so adding moisture that easily evaporates seconds later creates a vicious cycle that can dry lips out very quickly.
 
Avoid Some Ingredients; Did you know that ingredients in some of the products you use every day may be contributing to your chapped lips? Toothpastes and other oral care products may contain sodium lauryl sulfate (an ingredient that is added to products that are sudsy, from toothpaste to facial cleansers to shampoo) as well as guaiazulene (a color additive), both associated with skin irritation and dermatitis in some people. And lip balms themselves may also contain potential irritants. Fragrances and flavors added to lipsticks and lip balms may also trigger skin allergies -- and that includes menthol, cinnamon, citrus and mint.

Don't Be a Mouth Breather;
Mouth breathing is another no-no, for similar reasons to the ones that make lip licking a bad idea. So keep your mouth shut and let your nose take the reins -- that's one of the reasons it's there, after all.
 
Exfoliate Your Kisser; 
Exfoliating removes the flaky, dry skin that can build up on chapped lips, revealing smoother, softer skin underneath. There are a few ways you can go about lip exfoliation
Gently rub your lips with a dampened soft washcloth or toothbrush, or use a lip scrub to remove dead skin. Some lip balms can also help with exfoliation.

Wet Your Whistle; The best way is for you to stay hydrated. That means drinking lots of water -- generally about eight glasses a day -- to keep you moisture levels balanced. Remember: If you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated.
 
Take Your Vitamins; Drinking enough water will ensure that your lips get moisture from the inside out, but sometimes, chapped, dry or cracked lips are actually a result of a vitamin deficiency.Take multivitamins/mineral supplement.

When all Else fails, see a Doctor.