How to Treat Chapped Lips
Treating and preventing chapped lips is easy when you make sure to do a few important things. The skin on your lips is the thinnest on your body, and through over-licking, intense dry winds and exposure to the sun, they can feel rough, raw, itchy and sore. Fix your lips and feel fine again by following these proven tips.
First: What treatment options are best
There are dozens of companies that are willing to step up and proclaim that their formula is best to treat and heal your chapped lips, but if the treatments do not contain a few key elements, they might not work as well as advertised. Look for balms that contain vitamin E, aloe vera, paraffin wax, petroleum jelly or other lubricants. These ingredients seal moisture in, protect your lips from the wind and - if the taste is bad enough - your own habit of licking your lips. Avoid fruity flavors, soda pop scents and other gimmicks, these either taste too good to avoid licking or contain fewer of the protective ingredients. Look for a higher SPF rating in the balm you buy if constant sun exposure is a worry.
Second: Take care of the rest of your body
The standard care recommendations are valid for lip care, as well. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration causes dry skin, frizzy hair and, yes, even dry lips. Take a multi-vitamin as well to head off the effects of dried-out lips. Vitamin deficiency has shown to result in chapped lips.