It might be common to suffer from dry skin during winter, but both the dry atmosphere and scorching heat can lead to swollen, chapped lips, while fasting during Ramadan can also take its toll.
All areas of the body can become dry upon occasion, but the lips are particularly vulnerable because—unlike other areas of the skin—they don’t have oil and sweat glands to keep them moist. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can ensure your lips stay hydrated and smooth this summer.
DRINK MORE WATER
One of the easiest ways to help combat chapped lips is to increase your intake of water to avoid dehydration. Drinking around eight glasses a day will keep you properly hydrated while protecting your lips. This is particularly important during Ramadan when your hydration levels will be at their lowest.
USE SUNSCREEN
Did you know the skin on your lips is 15 times thinner than the skin on your body? This means it needs extra sun protection, so be sure to apply a lip sunscreenat least 10 minutes before you leave the house. We recommend the Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36 PA++ (US $22; AED/SAR 80), which defends your lips against powerful UVA/UVB rays while maintaining an optimal moisture balance. It also delivers hydration to instantly reverse dryness and protect against any loss of radiance. You can opt to wear it alone or underneath your lipstick.
STOP LICKING YOUR LIPS
Licking your lips may appear to moisten them, but it actually does them more harm than good. Any moisture you transfer to your lips evaporates seconds later, creating a viscous circle of lip licking and dryness. If you feel the urge to lick your lips, always have a balm such as the Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment (US $16; AED/SAR 58) close by so you can reach for that instead.
GET EXFOLIATING
Apply a lip scrub such as the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish (US $24; AED/SAR 88) to your lips and then, using a toothbrush, firmly exfoliate your lips. A good scrub will contain moisturizing as well as exfoliating agents, so let the scrub absorb into your lips by leaving it on for a minute or two. Use a damp washcloth to remove any stubborn residue.
REASSESS YOUR DIET
Make a colorful salad every day and add a handful of seeds to finish. We recommend flax, sesame, sunflower, and papaya seeds. Nuts and seeds contain vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids which make the skin soft and supple from the inside out.
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