Although we put a lot of time and effort into maintaining healthy, good-looking skin, we often forget about an important part of our face: our lips. It is important to keep those rubys between your cheeks equally vibrant.
There are a lot of factors affecting the health of your lips, one of the biggest being the weather, which may severely dry your lips and even cause cracks. This problem is worsened by licking your lips constantly or breathing with your mouth open, possibly even leading to cheilitis, an inflamed, crusty patch that can form at the corners of the mouth. When your lips are suffering from this or any other type of condition, it is especially important to remember that infections, viruses, fungi and bacteria will have an open door to your body. Therefore, be extra cautious when exposing your lips like when sharing glasses or kissing.
Another factor that you must take into account is your diet. Your lips are dependent on a steady intake of vitamins and minerals, so include healthy, nutritious foods like fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily meals. Vitamins B and E are especially important.
If you often suffer from dry lips, look for a product with a base of beeswax, petroleum jelly or paraffin in order to seal in the moisture. This is because lip glosses won’t seal the moisture in as long and are prone to wearing off in half the time. If your condition is severe, Aloe Vera might help a great deal as this plant’s soothing and healing properties are legendary and it’s also safe to ingest. And always, always, always wear sunscreen, even in winter.
Some lip problems, such as those caused by infections or poor nutrition, may require a doctor’s intervention. This is best early on rather than later when the problem is worse, since the solution may be simpler than you expect.
And remember: everyone knows it takes a lot of willpower to overcome the urge to pick a cracked or dry lip, but for your sake, fight the urge and don’t do it.
When it comes to beauty, many times the longer road is the only one worth taking.
