With the cold winter weather, many people are already experiencing dry, cracked and painful lips. Why? First, the skin of the lips is very thin (some of the thinnest on our body) and lips have very few oil glands to help keep them lubricated and moisturized.
Furthermore, dry lips can be a sign of disorders that you would never expect, like an allergic reaction to your toothpaste or lipstick. The skin care products or medications that you apply to your facial skin may also be a culprit. Dr. Susan Taylor shares helpful tips to protect your face from the cold:
Break the lip-licking cycle
Many people think that licking the lips helps the dryness, but it can actually cause dry, cracked lips. Digestive enzymes and bacteria in saliva can damage the lips, leaving them in worse shape than before. Also, when the moisture evaporates after you have licked your lips, they become even drier as they lose the moisture into the dry, cold air. Instead, break yourself of the lip-licking habit and apply a moisturizer or lip balm throughout the day.
