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Handy year-round tips for dry skin and chapped lips

<p>Refusing to scratch problem skin irritated by eczema, psoriasis and a multitude of other factors is a medical must-do – and much easier said than done.</p> <p>For the instant relief it gives some skin issues, holding back from scratching is difficult, and extremely problematic when dealing with irritated, itchy and uncomfortable children and adults alike.</p> <p>Medicated treatments, creams and salves free from SLS, petrochemicals, sulphates, parabens and fragrances are a necessary solution to removing the uncomfortable side effect of skin irritation to let the skin heal.</p> <p>According to the Australasian society of clinical immunology and allergy, eczema can be effectively treated and managed, but no cures are currently available.</p> <p>The ASCIA says the “scratch and itch” cycle can be most distressing and having eczema means that when the skin barrier is damaged, moisture evaporates and this makes the skin more susceptible to allergens and irritants.</p> <p>This irritation can trigger the skin to release certain chemicals that make the skin itchy. If you scratch, more chemicals are released and the skin feels even itchier. But there are solutions that can help.</p> <p>Dry and chapped lips are also associated with cheilitis, an inflammatory lip condition that can be caused as a side effect of certain medications or extreme sun exposure.</p> <p>Therefore, caring for our lips all year round is extremely important. There are three simple rules to live by:</p> <ol> <li>Keep yourself well hydrated</li> <li>Avoid licking your lips</li> <li>Keep a good lip balm on you at all times.</li> </ol> <p><em>This article first appeared in </em><a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/handy-year-round-tips-dry-skin-and-chapped-lips"><em>Reader’s Digest</em></a><em>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRN93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></em></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Beauty & Style

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Why you shouldn’t ignore chapped lips

<p>I am a chronic lip-peeling sufferer, and always on the hunt for a solution.</p> <p>The change of season, from autumn to winter is particularly bad. The cold, dry air dries out skin and lips, but there are a number of other culprits to blame for chapped lips. </p> <p>Lips are very sensitive as the skin on them is fine and doesn't contain the natural oil glands that other areas of your skin have. This makes them prone to irritation from common ingredients in lip balm and toothpaste (e.g.. sodium lauryl sulphate, menthol and phenols).</p> <p>Lips balms can create a cycle where your lips feel dry and so you apply more balm, which gives you quick relief, before making them feel even dryer.</p> <p>According to skin guru Melanie Grant the best thing for chapped, peeling lips is to, "gently scrub lips in a circular motion with a teaspoon of coconut oil and raw sugar. Remove and then add a rich nourishing lip balm like Aquafor Lip Repair." I keep a tube in the glove box handy.</p> <p>Good old Vaseline is another great lip fix option. Khiel's Butterstick Lip Treatment is a tinted SPF version with coconut oil, lemon butter and a broad-spectrum SPF 25 sunscreen.</p> <p><strong>Rule of thumb:</strong> if you have sensitive lips always opt for products with simple ingredients.</p> <p><strong>​Other reasons your lips might be chappy</strong></p> <p>Sometimes lip chapping can be a sign of something other than just chronically dry lips.</p> <ol> <li>It could be caused by sun damage (hence you should wear an SPF on your lips daily). Make sure your daily sunscreen coverage goes all the way up to your lips and use a simple lip product with an SPF.</li> <li>You might have a yeast infection that is thriving in saliva created by licking your lips. Drink lots of water and stop licking your lips.</li> <li>You might have an allergy to the lip products you're using, like shea butter, beeswax or castor oil.</li> <li>Dry lips, mouth and eyes are all signs of dehydration that can upset the balance of minerals in the body. This can affect skin and lips adversely.</li> </ol> <p>If your lips are still flaking, get a referral to a dermatologist for a definitive answer on what's going on.</p> <p><em>Written by Stephanie Darling. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Simple ways to prevent chapped lips

<p>When it comes to chapped lips, prevention is better than cure. Keep away from what causes chapped lips and you won’t need to come back to these tips again.</p> <p>The trouble is, the conditions that cause chapped lips are everywhere. Being out in the sun, exposing your lips to cold and wind, dry air from air conditioners, being dehydrated, allergies and even the way you breathe can all cause the lips to become cracked, dry and sore.</p> <p>Try these tips to keep chapped lips under control.</p> <p><strong>Put your tongue away</strong></p> <p>When your lips feel dry it can be a natural reaction to want to lick them to apply moisture. But in fact when the saliva evaporates it takes with it the natural oils that are present on your lips, making the dryness even worse.</p> <p><strong>Whip out the balm</strong></p> <p>Moisturise your lips with natural products such as almond oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter or bees wax.</p> <p><strong>Apply olive oil</strong></p> <p>Olive oil is a natural anti-inflammatory which can help heal your dry lips. Apply it three times a day for several days and you will notice the lips begin to feel much better.</p> <p><strong>Save your tea bags </strong></p> <p>Tea contains antioxidant polyphenols which can help to repair the delicate skin on your lips. Simply press a wet black tea bag (that has been cooled – don’t burn yourself!) to your lips for 30 seconds. Do this 3 to 5 times per week when lips are very sore.</p> <p><strong>Exfoliate your mouth </strong></p> <p>Keep your lips in good shape by removing dry or flaky skin. A simple way to do this is to use your toothbrush on your lips in the shower. Blot dry and then apply a natural balm to protect them. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2015/12/diy-natural-shampoo/">How to make your own natural shampoo</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2015/12/beauty-habits-that-age-you/">3 beauty habits that are ageing you</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2015/11/how-to-use-avocado-in-beauty-routine/">5 ways to use avocado in your beauty routine</a></strong></span></em></p>

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