Do you have a bad habit of taking off your cuticles? You probably do this because they are dry and cracked. By taking care of them you can make them smooth and soft again, so that you no longer feel the need to nibble them. By softening, moisturizing and making lifestyle changes you can promote healthy skin and make your lips brighter and more beautiful and get rid of your bad habit of teasing forever.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating the Lips
Step 1. Make an effort to change your approach to the lips, rather than nibble on them
Do you tend to absentmindedly remove the dead skin that accumulates on your lips? When you feel that they are a bit dry and flaky, it is impossible to resist the temptation to remove the cuticles. However, this does not make them softer or healthier. Instead of making the situation worse by nibbling them, try to make an effort to make them healthier. As a result, you will get soft lips with no more dry and better-looking skin, instead of dry and possibly bleeding lips in the places where you have teased them.
- If this habit of yours is persistent or is a nervous tic, it will take more convincing effort to resolve the problem. Read this link for tips on how to break a bad habit.
- If you think you are unable to overcome the problem on your own, consult a therapist to find out if this "habit" of yours can be linked to some obsessive compulsive disorder or a body dysmorphic disorder. In these cases it is very difficult to resolve the issue alone, so it is important to find the help of someone who is competent and qualified.
Step 2. Brush your lips with a toothbrush
Moisten them with warm water, then take a clean toothbrush and gently scrub them in a circular motion. This removes the buildup of dry and dead skin that makes them chapped and weak. While pinching often removes too much skin causing you to bleed, brushing only removes the top layer of dead skin, keeping the protective layer in place.
- A loofah is also another great tool you can use to exfoliate your lips. The important thing is that it is not too old and worn because it could hide bacteria.
- Do not scrub them too aggressively with the toothbrush. It is not a problem if your lips are still a little rough after brushing. More than one treatment may be needed to completely get rid of dead skin.
Step 3. Try a sugar-based scrub
This is an excellent solution if the lips are really very chapped and painful, since it is a little more delicate than a toothbrush. Make a simple mixture of one teaspoon of sugar and one teaspoon of honey. Spread it a little on your lips and use your fingers to massage it. Doing so removes the top layer of dead skin without damaging the underlying layer. When you're done, rinse your lips with warm water.
Step 4. Apply an emollient lip balm
It is a product that traps moisture in the skin and protects it from dehydration. If your lips are particularly chapped or broken, a simple generic stick may not be enough to help them heal. Look for a product that contains one of the following emollients as the main ingredient:
- Shea butter.
- Cocoa butter.
- Jojoba oil.
- Avocado oil.
- Rosehip oil.
Step 5. Repeat the treatment until your lips no longer have any traces of dry skin
More than one application may be required to allow the lips to return to their original, healthy state. Every 2 to 3 days, repeat the exfoliation process. Between sessions, apply an emollient to your lips during the day and also put it on at night while you sleep. Do not repeat the process more than once a day, as this may irritate the skin.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Lips Hydrated
Step 1. Avoid using products that dry out the lips
Common regular balms found in drugstores or cosmetic stores may contain ingredients that actually make lips even drier over time. Instead, keep applying a good emollient conditioner with natural ingredients. Avoid products (including lip sticks, lipsticks, and glosses) that contain the following irritants:
- Alcohol.
- Scent.
- Silicone.
- Mineral oil.
- Parabens.
Step 2. Don't lick your lips
You may feel compelled to lick them when they are dry, but the enzymes in the saliva cause them to dry out even more. Just as you are resisting the temptation to tear your cuticles, you are also resisting the temptation of licking your lips.
Step 3. Protect them overnight
Do you tend to wake up with dry lips? This can be the result of sleeping with your mouth open. If you breathe through your mouth all night, your lips can become dehydrated quickly. While it can be difficult to change your breathing habits (even more so during sleep), you can relieve the problem by protecting your lips at night. Remember to apply conditioner every night before bed so you'll wake up with moisturized rather than chapped lips.
Step 4. Drink lots of water
Dry, chapped lips are often a consequence of dehydration. You may actually not be drinking enough water during the day. Try to drink whenever you feel thirsty and replace coffees and cola drinks with water as much as possible. In a few days you will notice that your lips will be softer and more hydrated.
- Alcoholic beverages are known to cause dehydration. If you tend to wake up with chapped lips, try to avoid alcohol at least in the last two hours before bed and drink plenty of water before going to bed.
- Always carry a bottle of water with you throughout the day that you can refill continuously, so that you always have fresh water available when you are thirsty.
Step 5. Install a humidifier
If your skin is naturally dry, a humidifier may be the solution you've been looking for, especially during the winter. This device increases the humidity of the air in order to make it better for your skin. Light one in the bedroom and see if you notice the difference after a couple of days.
Part 3 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Eat less salt
Salt builds up on the lips causing rapid dehydration. Changing your diet to introduce less salt could make a big difference in the texture of your lips. When you eat salty foods, wash your lips with warm water afterwards to prevent the salt from settling.
Step 2. Avoid smoking
The smoke is harsh on the mouth, causing dryness and irritation. If you are a smoker, there are lots of good reasons to break free of this habit and having healthier lips is just one of many. At least try to cut down on smoking as much as possible to avoid further damaging your lips.
Step 3. Protect lips from sunburn
Just like all skin, that of the lips is also susceptible to sun damage. Apply a conditioner with SPF 15 or higher to protect them from burns.
Step 4. Cover your face in cold or dry weather
There is nothing like the cold, dry winter air to make lips dry and flaky. If you notice that you tend to take off your lips more often in the winter than in the summer, now you know why. Wrap your face and mouth with a scarf when you go out to protect your lips from the cold.
