The onslaught of winter combined with fierce central heating is playing havoc with our skin, from cracked feet to sore dry lips. With these easy to follow tips from health and beauty expert Liz Earle, your lips will be back to their usual, soft and kissable state, just in time for the mistletoe to go up.
The delicate skin on lips is often the first place to show signs of winter’s harsh winds and must-have central heating. With these simple tips your lips will go from dry, cracked and sore, to smooth, plump and kissable in in six easy steps.
Step 1: Water
Drink plenty of water and up your intake of B vitamins as low levels can lead to dry, cracked skin.
Step 2: Leave Them Alone
Resist the urge to lick your lips – this only makes them sorer.
Step 3: Buff
Buff away dead skin cells using a soft toothbrush to help reduce chapping.
Step 4: Always Read The Label
Always read the labels as not all lip balms are the same. Balms or sticks made with mineral oil or petroleum jelly don’t moisturise as such, they simply sit on the lips’ surface, and may even dry the lips out. Flavoured lip balms may taste nice but they will encourage you to lick your lips even more, making them even more cracked. More natural ingredients, such as plain plant oils and purified lanolin are by far the best choices for keeping lips soft and comfortable.
Step 5: No Fragrances
Very sensitive lips respond best to a fragrance-free, natural emollient. Creams that contain purified medical grade lanolin, can actually be the best balms for very sore lips.
Step 6: Gloss
You don’t have to forego the glamour, lip gloss can actually help protect against the drying wintry element. Alternatively, try a tinted lip balm containing vitamin E, shea or cocoa butter.
For more advice and tips on wellbeing from Liz Earle, head over to www.lizearlewellbeing.com.