Summer is the season of sun-kissed skin, breezy dresses, and bright pops of color. However, the heat and humidity can wreak havoc on your lips, leaving them dry, cracked, and painful.

Sun exposure, dehydration, and windburn are some of the leading culprits of summer lip damage. Follow these easy tips to keep your lips smooth, hydrated, and healthy all summer long.

1. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a leading cause of dry and cracked lips. The heat and humidity of summer can cause you to sweat more, leaving your body depleted of fluids. Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and your lips moisturized.

Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and carry a water bottle with you at all times.

2. Exfoliate Your Lips

Exfoliating your lips helps to remove dead skin cells, promote cell regeneration, and improve blood circulation. You can use a gentle lip scrub or make your own at home by mixing sugar or salt with coconut oil or honey.

Massage the scrub onto your lips in a circular motion and rinse off with warm water. Do this once or twice a week to keep your lips smooth and soft.

3. Protect Your Lips from the Sun

The UV radiation from the sun can cause dryness, discoloration, and even skin cancer on your lips. Make sure to apply lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before heading out in the sun.

You can also wear a wide-brimmed hat or seek out shade to protect your lips from direct sunlight.

4. Moisturize Your Lips Daily

Moisturizing your lips daily is essential to keeping them hydrated and healthy. Invest in a good lip balm, preferably one with natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, or coconut oil.

Apply the lip balm throughout the day, especially after meals or when you feel your lips becoming dry. Avoid licking your lips, as this can actually dry them out further.

5. Avoid Inflammatory Foods

Certain foods can trigger inflammation in the body, which can lead to dry and cracked lips. Processed foods, refined sugar, and alcohol are some of the common culprits of inflammation.

Instead, incorporate anti-inflammatory foods into your diet such as fatty fish, nuts, and leafy greens. This will not only benefit your lips but also your overall health.

6. Don’t Overuse Lip Products

While lip products like lipstick and lip gloss can add a pop of color to your summer look, overuse can actually damage your lips. These products can contain drying ingredients like alcohol and synthetic fragrances that can strip your lips of moisture.

Try to limit your use of these products to special occasions, and choose high-quality, natural options when possible.

7. Avoid Licking Your Lips

Many people have a habit of licking their lips when they feel dry or chapped. However, this can actually worsen the problem by removing natural oils from the skin and leaving your lips more susceptible to damage.

Instead, apply lip balm or drink water to keep your lips hydrated.

8. Use a Humidifier

The dry air from air conditioning and fans can further dehydrate your lips in the summertime. Using a humidifier can help to add moisture back into the air and prevent your lips from becoming dry and cracked.

Place a humidifier in your bedroom at night to wake up with soft, supple lips.

9. Try Natural Remedies

There are many natural remedies that can help to soothe and heal dry and cracked lips. Aloe vera gel, honey, and coconut oil are all known for their moisturizing and healing properties.

Apply a small amount of these remedies to your lips before bed or throughout the day for added hydration and protection.

10. Consult a Dermatologist

If you are experiencing persistent dryness, cracking, or blistering of your lips, it is important to consult a dermatologist.

They can help to determine if an underlying medical condition or allergy is causing your symptoms, and recommend a treatment plan to help treat and prevent further damage.