Chapped Lips

Are your lips dry, flaky or cracked? Dry, chapped lips are no fun. And, they make you look older. Yet, the cold, the heat, dry conditions and age can dry out and roughen this tender and sensitive area of your face. Using lip balm regularly is one of the best ways to keep your lips moist and prevent chapped lips.

All lip balms, no matter what their ingredients, are, basically, a way to replace or add to the normal, moisture-retaining barrier of the skin. Generally, lip balms are made from menthol, scented oils, beeswax, camphor, petroleum jelly, and other different components like alum, salicylic acid, and vitamins. When buying lip balms, there are certain factors that need to be considered. Some ingredients may induce greater results and longer-lasting treatment.

Lip balms can cost just a few cents to several dollars. Choose wisely as what's cheap isn't always the best option, while just because it's expensive doesn't mean it will work any better than a less expensive choice.

Basically, all lip balms are created for the same purpose and are definitely effective on their own ways. However, it is still important to choose lip balms that contain natural substances. This is to be sure that using lip balms will not irritate your chapped, dry lips.

When buying lip balm, it is best to buy those that contain vegetable oils like olive oil, coconut oil and almond oil. These particular types of vegetable oils are useful in bringing back the natural oils to the lips. As a result, you will have healthy-looking, shiny lips.

The lips are exposed to sunlight just like the other areas of your face, but they typically do not get protection from sunscreen. That is why it experts strongly suggest using a lip balm with a sun-blocking ingredient. I use a lip saver from Arbonne International that has an SPF of 30 and contains natural ingredients. Please note that some people are sensitive to sunscreen, so if you notice any itching or redness, go back to a lip balm without the extra protection.

As with all dry skin, be sure to get enough natural fatty acids in your diet. Include nuts, fish and other foods high in omega 3 fatty acids. A balanced diet will help keep you healthy and improve your skin, including your lips. In addition, drinking enough water will also increase the moisture in your body.

No one likes dry, chapped lips. Keep yours soft and younger looking with a balanced diet, enough water and the use of a quality lip balm with sunscreen.