For most of us, dryer, thinner lips are an unavoidable part of the aging process – not to mention a telltale sign of our advancing years!

In spite of this, they’re also often the most neglected part of even the strictest beauty regimes – through dehydration, sun/frost exposure, and wind damage, our lips’ protective barrier thins out with age, and a chapped texture leaves lines and wrinkles looking yet more noticeable.

The good news is that it’s possible to relieve the dryness, flakiness, and soreness of chapped lips. Read on for our useful guide.

Hydrate and Heal

Want to know how to get rid of chapped lips and relieve soreness instantly? One the best and easiest ways is to keep an intensive moisturizer in your purse. A lip balm will form a protective barrier against the elements, locking in moisture to rehydrate the skin. With regular use, especially before you head outdoors, your lips will stay supple, with fine lines becoming less noticeable.

Prevention is Better than a Cure

Just like the rest of your complexion, your lips are susceptible to the elements – whether that’s a strong wind, extreme cold, or the sun’s harmful UVA rays. Protect your lips as you would the rest of your face: don a wide brimmed hat in the sunshine and wear a high-factor SPF, or apply a good lip moisturizer and wrap up in a scarf to protect against icy winds, which can further strip moisture from your lips.

Don’t Lick Your Lips

Licking chapped lips will provide instant relief from that dry, tight feeling. However, in the long term it will actually make it worse: when the saliva evaporates, it leaves behinds digestive enzymes which can cause more severe cracking and only serves to prolong the cycle. Regular use of an intensive lip balm or moisturizer will prevent lips feeling uncomfortable and hopefully should stop your urge to lick.

Exfoliate (Gently!)

While it is oh-so-tempting to pick away at those flaky bits of skin caused by chapping and dryness, try to refrain! Picking at your lips will not only make things worse by pulling away at the delicate skin, but can also transfer dirt and bacteria leading to a painful infection. For a gentler exfoliation, layer on some petroleum jelly and carefully buff lips with a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush.

If You’re Still Smoking, Stop!

We all know that smoking comes with a long list of health-related warnings, but did you know it can also have a devastating effect on the skin on and around your mouth? The repeated action of inhaling causes wrinkles to develop around the lips, while the chemicals present in cigarettes can also thin and dry out the skin.

Now dry, flaky lips is one thing less you can worry about. With these simple tips, you’ll be well armed, knowing how to get rid of chapped lips as soon as the problem strikes.

How do you take care of your skin now that you are a little older? Are there any special products or treatments that you use for your aging skin? Please join the conversation.

This is a guest post by John Brasington.