The best kept secrets for healthy and happy lips
Winter sucks out the moisture from our skin. And lips, being a sensitive part of the body, get chapped very often, and thus demand the right kind of care. While some face this problem throughout the year, it gets worse during winters. Constantly licking dry lips to moisten them can also make the problem worse. Experts share tips to keep your lips healthy and happy.
Dermatologist Nandini Baruah says, “Dry winter season can be brutal for your lips. If you’re not paying attention, it can feel dry and flaky. So, apply lip balms whenever they feel dry, instead of licking them. Make sure you’re buying the right lip balm, which has petroleum, essential oils or glycerine in it. You can also apply sunscreen on your lips regularly if you’re not stepping out. Drink loads of water; it helps to keep you hydrated as well. If you want to apply natural ingredients on your lips, you can make a mixture of honey and glycerine. Ensure that you are scrubbing your lips at regular intervals.”
Dermatologist Stuti Khare Shukla says, “Use coconut oil and other oilbased lip balms to moisturise the skin on your lips. It also acts as a protective barrier from harmful chemicals and dust. Using aloe vera gel is also beneficial for chapped lips. The enzymes in aloe vera have mild exfoliating properties. Honey also works as a mild exfoliater and removes dry and dead skin on the lips. Avoid lip balms that contain camphor, eucalyptus and menthol, as these ingredients cause irritation.”
Experts say what we eat also makes a whole lot of difference on our overall health and skin. Hence, it is important to eat nutritious food. “Greens, especially spinach, fenugreek and all other leafy vegetables, are considered good for getting glowing healthy skin, including lips. Spinach is loaded with iron, zinc, vitamins A, C, B, complex and folic acid. Winter is the best time to eat strawberries. Vitamin C in strawberries helps in reducing dark spots. It also prevents UV damage from the sun and makes the skin brighter and shinier. Walnuts and carrots are equally healthy,” explains dietitian Archana Batra.