6 ways to prevent chapped lips

Sick of the hassle and pain of parched lips? Follow these tips to make them soft and smooth

Winter brings dry skin and chapped lips with it. Frequent exposure to sun, dehydration, nasal allergies and taking acne drugs can also lead to dry lips.

However, you can get soft, smooth lips by following these simple steps:

1. Drink plenty of water

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Dehydration can cause your skin and lips to dry out, leading to uncomfortable and often painful parched patches. In order to ensure that this is not the cause of your chapped lips, drink eight to ten glasses of water daily.

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2. Invest in a humidifier

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Dry air can also cause lips to dry out. When you use heaters in winters, they suck the moisture out of the air. To prevent this, invest in a humidifier to keep the air moist.

3. Stop licking your lips

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The urge to lick your lips when they are dry is almost irrepressible, but it only makes them worse. When you lick your lips, you hydrate them temporarily with saliva, and when the saliva evaporates, it removes more moisture and natural oils, leaving your lips drier than before. Use a moisturising lip balm instead of licking.

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4. Apply olive oil

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Olive oil is an anti-inflammatory, moisturising antioxidant that lubricates and soothes dry lips. Apply it twice or thrice a day and your lips will begin to heal in a few days.

5. Use a teabag

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Press a damp black tea bag to your lips for 30 seconds to soften them. Tea contains antioxidant polyphenols that repair damaged skin cells and speed cell renewal. Doing this three to five times a week will keep your lips smooth.

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6. Scrub away dead skin

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Exfoliating your lips also help in combating flakiness. After brushing your teeth, scrub your lips gently with the toothbrush and then moisturise them to keep the softness intact.

This article originally appeared on Prevention.