How to Prevent or Treat Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are a definite bummer, but you can learn how to treat and even prevent this from frequently occurring with these handy tips. If you frequently suffer from chapped, dry lips, check out this handy guide to restore your pout!

What Causes Chapped Lips?

Before you can work on treating your chapped lips, you have to understand the various causes of this pesky problem. While some situations are unavoidable, there could be things you are doing that are actually making your lips worse instead of better!

Arguably one of the most common culprits of chapped lips is the weather. Extreme temperatures (hot or cold), dryness, or wind can definitely leave your pucker parched. It may be tempting to lick your lips for some relief, but this also leads to dryness and that icky chapped feeling.

Irritants or chemicals that can be found in makeup or beauty products can also lead to chapped lips, and failing to adequately hydrate yourself can also cause this pesky problem.

Now that you know what causes chapped lips, you can begin learning how to treat and possibly prevent this from happening to you.

Treating and Preventing Chapped Lips

No one wants to walk around with dry, flaky lips all day long. To combat this problem, there are a number of things you can do to help treat and prevent chapped lips:

• Drink Water

Because dehydration can lead to chapped lips (and dry skin everywhere else, too!), keeping yourself hydrated is one of the easiest things you can do to help prevent this. For extra benefits, you can even consider investing in a humidifier for your home to help keep the dry air out.

• Protect your Pout

I never leave home without at least three tubes of lip balm in my purse, and you shouldn’t either! Choose an oil-based balm or lip cream or a tube that contains beeswax or petrolatum for maximum benefits. Even when it’s overcast or rainy outside, always wear a balm that contains an SPF to help prevent the suns rays from further drying out your lips. Re-apply as often as needed.

• Avoid Licking your Lips!

I know it’s tempting to lick your lips to solve the problem, but licking your lips frequently will actually dry out and chap your pout even more. Avoid flavored lip balm if you are frequently tempted to lick your lips, as this will undoubtedly cause you to lick them even more.

While chapped lips are definitely annoying, there are things you can do to treat and prevent this from happening. Protecting your lips with a balm or cream, staying hydrated, and not licking your lips can all help restore your pout.

If chapped lips have you feeling down, follow these tips for gorgeous lips all year long!