The winter months can take their toll on your hair, skin and nails. The cold, windy weather and dark nights can dry out all three areas, and the delicate skin of your lips is no different. Here’s everything you need to know to avoid chapped, dry lips this winter and keep your lips smooth, hydrated and protected.
What causes dry lips in winter?
It’s mainly the weather, and the heating we use in our homes that causes dry lips.Wind and cold weather can mean that your lips feel chapped and dry, especially as they’re usually exposed to the weather the most. The drier air in winter can also lead to your lips drying out. This can lead to painful splitting, flaky skin or it can even trigger a breakout of cold sores.
How to protect, prevent and care for dry lips in winter
Winter doesn’t need to mean sore, dry lips. There are some steps you can take to protect your lips from drying out, and to keep them in check if you feel like they need a little extra TLC as the temperature drops.
Here’s what you can do to take care of your lips in winter:
- Keep them smooth and scrubbed - using a lip scrub like the Coconut Crumble Natural Lip Scrub will help to slough away dry, flaky skin that’s prone to cracking or becoming chapped. It’s blended with hydrating coconut and almond oils along with vegan fruit wax to soften the lips, leaving them conditioned and smooth. Skip picking your lips, as this can cause damage, and go for a scrub instead.
- Load up on lip balm - keeping your lips moisturised in winter is essential to avoid dry lips. The Sweet Orange Superfood Natural Lip Balm deeply nourishes and hydrates your lips with a blend of carrot and avocado oils along with softening mango, shea butters, plant-based fruit wax and orange oil protect your lips from environmental stressors.
- Nourish your body - getting the right vitamins and minerals is important for your overall health, but being low on certain ones, such as zinc, can lead to cracked or dry lips. Taking the holistic approach will help you feel better all round in winter, as well as taking care of your lips.
- Stay hydrated - drinking plenty of water is good for your body, mind and your overall health. The same goes for your lips. By hydrating your body, you can help keep dry and dehydrated lips at bay. It’s great for your skin too. You’ll get some natural hydration from the food you eat, but you should always make sure you’re drinking enough water too.
- Wear SPF on your lips - you might think that winter means no SPF? Wrong. You should be wearing it all year round, whatever your skin type or tone, and especially on your lips. This helps to prevent dryness as well as preventing sun damage, hyperpigmentation and chapped lips. Go for SPF 30 or above to make sure that your lips are protected from the elements.