Kiss Chapped Lips Goodbye

Baby, it’s cold outside. And that inevitably means one thing–the onset of dry, chapped lips. Luckily, it’s easy to keep painful, flaking lips at bay by following a few simple rules. First, exfoliate your pout every few days to gently buff away dry, dead skin. You can simply use warm water and a washcloth or kick it up a notch with a lip exfoliator like Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish ($22.50). Enriched with brown sugar crystals (to remove flakes) and moisturizing oils (to hydrate skin), this treatment smells delicious and leaves lips noticeably smoother and softer.— Regularly apply a moisturizing lip balm several times throughout the day, as well as before applying lipstick or gloss. The best balms contain essential oils and fatty acids that nourish fragile skin and act as a protective barrier against harsh elements (like wind and cold or dry air). Try Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm ($3) or Rosebud Perfume Co. Minted Rose Lip Balm ($7). Remember to avoid artificially-flavored balms, which can cause you to lick your lips and further aggravate the problem. Finally, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. The fragile skin on your lips doesn’t contain oil glands, which means they require extra hydration from within to stay healthy. Follow these simple rules for soft, kissable lips all winter long.