Kiss chapped lips goodbye with these diet boosting tips
As the temperatures begin to plummet and we wrap ourselves from head to toe in our woolly gear, one very vulnerable part of our bodies tends to get left out in the cold - our lips!
“Because of the lack of humidity in winter, chapped lips are a common beauty burden in winter,” says Celebrity skin therapist Louise Thomas-Minns. “In order to remain smooth and plump, your lips require moisture they can hold onto.”
In a study from the British Journal of Dermatology, researchers found that compared with other parts of the face such as your cheeks, lips lose water almost 3 times as fast.
Whilst you can remedy chapped lips by frequently applying a moisturising lip balm that also contains an SPF, nourishing your lips from the inside, is key to protecting your pucker. “Certain nutrients such as vitamins A, B2, C and E plus Omega 3 oils can help strengthen your skin's ability to resist and heal, and can increase your skin's elasticity and moisture level,” says Louise.
Vitamin A
This fat-soluble vitamin is also required to keep skin and mucous membranes healthy. By helping the body to produce natural oils it can help prevent your lips from drying. Fish-liver oil, liver and egg yolk are major sources as well as leafy greens and yellow and orange coloured fruit and vegetables.
Vitamin B2
B2 (riboflavin) helps with metabolism of essential fatty acids that keep skin cells plump and hydrated. Deficiencies in vitamin B2 can cause dry skin around the lips, as well as cracks in the corners of your mouth. Get an adequate supply from foods including milk and dairy products, eggs, sweet potatoes and mushrooms.
Vitamin C & E
These antioxidants can play a huge role in lip health by protecting the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals that we are exposed to in the environment. Vitamin C also helps the body to form collagen - a key component in our hair, skin, nails and connective tissue, providing them with firmness and strength. High vitamin C foods include bell peppers, dark leafy greens and citrus fruits. Foods that contain good amounts of vitamin E include wheat germ, peanuts, soybeans, olive oil, grapes and broccoli.
Omega 3
A healthy diet that includes essential fatty acids is also important when it comes to preventing dry lips. Include omega-3 fats from oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, or take a daily fish oil supplement to keep all of your skin—including your lips—moist during the winter.