Dry lips

The skin on the surface of your lips turns over very quickly which is why your lips can become chapped and dry when they’re exposed to the sun, wind or cold air.

When the lips lose moisture, the skin covering them can become tight and start to split.

DO

Apply a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 often, especially if you’re going to be spending time outdoors in the sun.

As well as using lip balm cover your lips with a scarf during winter.

DON’T

Pick flakes of dried skin as this will make your lips bleed and heal more slowly.

Lick dry, cracked lips as this will wash away the natural grease that covers the skin.

INFLAMED LIPS

The medical term for inflamed lips is cheilitis and it’s usually due to mild irritation. See your GP if the corners of your mouth are red and sore and don’t heal as this may be a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency which causes pernicious anaemia.