Here is a little low down on our lips....
Did you know that the lips are the only part of the body that we expose to all weathers without thinking about them? They get sunburned in the summer, wind burn or chapped in the winter and everything in between.
The lips are the most sensitive skin we have on our bodies...don't believe me? Try this little test from my high school psychology teacher. Take 2 toothpicks and touch them to your finger. How close can you get them together before you no longer recognize that there are two? Do the same with your lips? Or better yet, have the partner in your life do the test while you sit with your eyes closed or blind folded. I am sure you will be surprised. I know I was...way back a million years ago now (or so it seems).
Most people have about 16 layers of skin on their face....but the lips have only 3 layers. The skin on the body has between 3 and 5 layers of skin with sweat glands, oil glands, and hair follicles. The lips have only 3 layers and depend on your care for their moisture (they have no sweat glands or oil glands to self moisturize themselves...poor things).
It is not too late to change...here is what you can do or stop doing
1. Drink plenty of water. Water hydrates your skin from the inside out including your lips. Caffeine will dehydrate your skin and lips so drink an extra glass for every cup of caffeine you indulge in. Remember..if you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated so drink up.
2. Stop licking your lips. Yes, I am guilty of this too. The thing to remember is that saliva is meant to help you digest food. Do you really want to literally eat your lips? Kinda gross when you think of it that way right?
3. Keep your lips out of the elements. I know this sounds silly, but its a big deal. In the summer, wear a hat that shades your lips. In the winter, cover your face and lips with a scarf. These will make a difference in how dry your lips will be.
4. Don't breath through your mouth. As a mouth breather myself for many years, I know how difficult this one is too change, but every breath in or breath out through the mouth dries out your lips.
5. Exfoliate. There are a couple of ways to do this. A soft toothbrush will work, rub the bristles gently over your lips to loosen dead skins. A lip scrub will also help to remove dead skins, but be cautious. Body scrubs may be too harsh on the lips so get one designed for the lips (I offer a few varieties on my website daniandskye.wix.com/danishomemadeproduct, I also will make custom flavors or scents as well, that are made with either cocoa butter or shea butter)
6. Apply moisture. When possible, use a lip balm that has a SPF of at least 15, but lip balm applied will be a big help. You don't want to put a thick coat on, just enough to coat the lips. Too much and you may be tempted to lick your lips for the flavor...remember this is a NO NO. Find a lip balm that you like and use it when ever you are tempted to lick your lips, or if they feel dry (I offer a few varieties on my website, see link above, and will be offering a chocolate flavored one in the next couple weeks).
Let's stop abusing a very tender part of our bodies. Make your lips kissable for this coming winter and protect them.
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