During the winter months nearly everybody’s lips get dry, chapped, and sore. This is caused by the evaporation of moisture in winter air which exposes the natural oils the body produces to protect them.

We look at how you can keep your lips beautiful in winter.

If your lips are chapped and sore during the winter, you may have noticed unsightly dead skin. To remove this, run a clean, soft bristle toothbrush under warm water, then gently brush your lips to remove the dead skin. A child’s toothbrush may be the best choice since they’re designed for tender gums. Then apply lip balm and allow it to penetrate into the lip. Using a lip balm with a sunscreen will give extra protection from the sun as well as the wind, this is particulary important for skiers.

Avoid licking your lips. This actually makes them worse because saliva from your tongue evaporates and draws moisture away from the lips. Saliva also contains an enzyme which can further irritate unprotected lips. Use a lip balm to lock in the moisture and protect your lips against the elements. Don’t bite your lips to remove dry skin. This will make them even more sore.

Giving up smoking and alcohol can also help your lips. Smoking dries out your lips, causes wrinkles around the lips and mouth, and thins the skin on the lips. Alcohol is also bad for your lips because it dehydrates the body. The lips are one of the first parts of the body to show the effects of dehydration.

For this reason, drink plenty of water during the winter. The dry air, both inside and outside, can dehydrate you quickly. If your body is hydrated, your lips are less likely to suffer.

Eating healthy meals and snacks will also go a long way to keeping your lips healthy during the winter season. Honey has antibacterial properties that can help heal and soothe chapped lips. Coconut oil and butter have been used in traditional Indian remedies for many centuries. Avoid acidic drinks like orange juice and salty food like crisps because this will irritate your lips.

Taking vitamin A, B, C and E supplements can also help protect your lips in the winter. Riboflavin, Vitamin B1 and B6 help provide lips with moisture. Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant to protect essential fatty acids and prevent cracking of lips. Foods rich in these nutrients include whole-grain cereals, bread, brown rice, fortified bread, red meat, egg yolks, and green leafy vegetables.

Breaking the cycle of licking your lips or biting off dry skin can be difficult but regularly applying lip balm and staying hydrated can help reduce temptation and keep your lips healthy and beautiful this winter.