Have the dry air and cold weather gotten to your smile? This way to softer, smoother lips with our chapped lips 101.

1. Remember to moisturise

Lips don't have oil glands so need an extra hand. Choose a moisturising lip balm and apply it frequently, around 6-8 times a day.

2. With lips, product order matters

If you must use lip gloss or lipstick, apply your lip balm first so it can penetrate effectively.

3. Apply sunscreen every day

Lips are easily left out of our sunscreen routine though can burn just like the rest of our skin. Wear SPF 30+ lip balm to protect them.

4. Look for these ingredients

When choosing a product to heal chapped lips, check the ingredient list, especially for these friends and foes.1

Friends:

• Beeswax

• Shea butter

• Petrolatum

• Dimethicone

Foes:

• Eucalyptus

• Camphor 

• Menthol

• Flavouring 

5. Check your sensation

If your lips burn, sting or tingle, it doesn't mean a product is working. Stop and switch to a non-irritating option instead.

6. Drink water on repeat

This will help replenish the lost moisture that can contribute to dry, cracked lips.2

7. Don't pick

Sure, dry lips feel annoying - but don't pick, suck or bite at them. Doing this can irritate them or cause bleeding, which won't help them heal.

8. Don’t lick

While it may feel like it's helping, licking your lips is actually very drying! This is because when the saliva evaporates, it leeches more moisture from your lips' delicate skin.

9. Eat well

Vitamins A, B group, C and E help improve our skin health, including our lips. Find out more about vitamins and skin health here.

10. Butt out

Smoking contributes to dry lips and wrinkles around the mouth.

Article by: TerryWhite Chemmart