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Use an SPF product to protect your lips.

Dry, chapped lips are something we all experience at one time or another. Our lips are sensitive and need to be protected. Elements like the sun, wind, dry and cold weather conditions can really affect our lips. It’s time to take charge and say goodbye to chapped lips!

When I first moved to sunny Southern California, I thought I would be living in the land of eternal sunshine. Boy was I wrong! In the winter months the temperatures drop, the dry winds pick up, and I may as well be back in upstate New York. This unpredictable cold and windy weather can wreak havoc on our skin and especially our lips. And in the summer we can’t relax either – our lips can suffer sun damage and become chapped in hotter weather, too. So, here are my top five tips to keep your lips in their most kissable condition.

How to protect yourself from chapped lips

1. Protection is key

Our lips have a very thin outer layer of skin and they contain little melanin, which is necessary for protection against the sun’s rays. Always protect your lips from the sun by applying a lip product with SPF UVA/UVB protection. I keep one in my bag, one in my car, one at my desk—always within reach. Our lips are so vulnerable, we must remember to keep them protected.

2. Stay hydrated

I drink a lot of green tea and water throughout the day, because chapped lips are an indicator that your body is dehydrated and needs water. So, fill your glass full and drink up!

3. Don’t lick your lips

Our lips lack both sweat and oil glands, making them susceptible to dehydration.

We tend to lick our lips as they begin to dry out. While this may provide temporary relief, the reality is it can worsen the condition. As our saliva quickly evaporates, our lips are left even drier than before. It’s a vicious cycle that we have to break. Try to resist the temptation and keep reapplying your lip product instead of licking your lips throughout the day.

4. Take your vitamins

Believe it or not, vitamin deficiencies can affect our entire body both inside and out. And these deficiencies can lead to chapped lips. Be sure to eat a varied, healthy diet and consider taking a daily multivitamin that includes vitamins B, C and E to nurture your lips from the inside out.

5. Eat healthy

A healthy diet that includes essential fatty acids is also important when it comes to our lips. If we are deficient in essential fatty acids, chances are that our lips will be affected. Some healthy food choices include fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains and olive oil. And I choose to take an Omega 3 supplement, because Omega 3’s are amazing for our skin and lips.

Follow these simple tips and you too can avoid dry, chapped lips—and instead enjoy healthy, happy, kissable lips.