Winter is the time of the year that is mostly associated with cold weather, snow, and dry, chapped lips. Cold weather, wind, dry indoor heat, and even the sun rays, can cause our lips to become dry and chapped.

Chapped and peeling lips can be painful and unattractive, causing discomfort and making it difficult to wear lipstick or lip gloss. In this article, we will explore some surprising cures for dry lips in cold weather, which will provide relief and keep your lips soft, smooth, and hydrated.

Hydrate Your Body

One of the best things you can do to keep your lips soft and moisturized is to drink enough water. When our bodies are dehydrated, our lips become dry and lack moisture.

Drinking eight to ten glasses of water per day is essential for our overall health and also helps to keep our lips hydrated and healthy.

Use a Humidifier

During the cold months, indoor heating systems can cause the air to become dry, which can be harsh on your lips. A humidifier helps to add moisture to the air, providing relief for dry lips and skin.

Using a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep can keep your lips moisturized throughout the night.

Cover Your Lips

Wearing a scarf or covering your mouth with a cloth while you are outside in the cold weather can protect your lips from harsh winds and cold air. A scarf or face mask can help to keep your lips warm and prevent them from becoming dry and chapped.

Exfoliate Your Lips

Exfoliating your lips removes dead skin cell and helps to keep them soft and smooth. To exfoliate your lips, mix a small amount of sugar with honey or coconut oil to form a paste.

Apply the paste to your lips using a soft-bristled toothbrush and massage gently for a few minutes. Rinse off with warm water and apply a moisturizing lip balm.

Moisturize Your Lips

Applying a moisturizing lip balm several times a day can keep your lips hydrated and prevent them from becoming dry and chapped. Look for a lip balm that contains natural moisturizers such as beeswax, shea butter or cocoa butter.

Avoid lip balm with fragrances and flavors as these can cause irritation and dryness to your lips.

Stay Away from Licking Your Lips

When our lips are dry, we may be tempted to lick them to add moisture. But contrary to popular belief, licking your lips only makes them drier. Saliva evaporates quickly, and it takes away the natural oils that keep your lips moisturized.

Licking your lips can also lead to inflammation and irritation because saliva contains enzymes that can harm your lips.

Avoid Breathing Through Your Mouth

Breathing through your mouth can cause your lips to become dry since the air and saliva evaporate faster through your mouth than your nose. Breathing through your nose is a natural way to keep your lips hydrated.

If you have a blocked nose, use a saline nasal spray or humidifier to keep your nose moisturized.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced and healthy diet can help to keep your lips healthy and moisturized. Foods that are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, such as leafy greens, nuts, citrus fruits, and avocado, can improve your skin health and keep your lips moisturized.

Also, incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, flaxseeds, and chia seeds, can help to heal dry and chapped lips.

Reduce Your Caffeine Intake

Caffeine is a dehydrating agent that can cause your lips to become dry and chapped. Reduce your caffeine intake by switching to herbal teas, drinking more water, or decaf coffee.

You can also incorporate foods and drinks that are hydrating such as watermelon, cucumbers, and coconut water into your diet.

Avoid Smoking and Second-Hand Smoke

Smoking cigarettes and second-hand smoke can be harmful to your overall health and can cause your lips to become dry, chapped, and wrinkled. Exposure to smoke can lead to loss of lip moisture and elasticity and can even cause skin cancer.

Quitting smoking, and avoiding second-hand smoke can help to keep your lips and skin healthy.