For some of us, winter means snuggling up in front of the fire with a hot cup of tea or cocoa. For others it could me the dreaded dry and cracked lips! The dry indoor heating, outside cold wind or a combination of both means that some of us end up with dry cracked lips and sometimes leads to infections. Skin issues can also indicate a deficiency in a particular nutrient. Cracked lips can be very uncomfortable, especially for children as they cannot stand the discomfort and can cause pain when eating salty or acidic foods.

There are 2 ways we can prevent and treat cracked lips.  Through Diet and nutrition, and topical treatments.

Diet and nutrition.

A nutrient dense diet is a must for preventing and treating any skin concern. There are a few key vitamins and minerals which aid is skin repair which I recommend including in your diet every day, ideally in every meal.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and helps assist with collagen production. Our bodies need collagen as this is the main structure to form connective tissue which will aid in skin repair. Foods’s rich in vitamin C include red capsicum, kiwi fruit, strawberries, citrus fruits and broccoli.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that plays an important part in wound healing, is vital in preventing infection and protects the skins layers from free radical damage. Food rich in zinc include red meat, pepitas (pumpkin seeds) oysters and chickpeas.

Other nutrient dense foods

For proper skin health, it is also important to include foods high in healthy fats such as avocado’s, olive oil, butter, fish, nuts and seeds and foods containing collagen – my favourite bone broth.

Water

Something so simple as drinking more water can make a huge different to our skin. Many of us don’t get enough water throughout the day and may find it tough drinking water through winter, but it is really important as the dry indoor air or outside wind can really dry us out. Aim to get 2 litres of water per day. If you find it hard to get that much water in you, you can try adding lemon or lime to each glass or drinking warm water. Soups, broths and herbal teas will also count towards your water intake – but caffeinated beverages will not. You can also try to incorporate fruits with a high water content into your diet such as cucumber or watermelon.

Topical treatments

As well as nourishing from the inside, we want to protect the skin from the outside. Try to keep lips covered in a balm to create a barrier from the dry air/wind. My favourite topical treatment is coconut oil and essential oils.

Coconut oil is a budget friendly treatment and can be applied as often as needed. Coconut oil contains antibacterial and antiviral properties to kill any bacteria sitting on the skin and prevent any infections. Coconut oil is readily available from most supermarkets, and it is my number one choice for use on children as it is edible and safe to use. It will not sting when applied and spreads easily when in a liquid form. If your coconut oil is solid (which it usually is during winter) scrape a little oil out of the jar with a spoon and place it in the palm of your hand. The oil will melt with your body’s warmth, then apply to lips and surrounding area.

I absolutely love using essential oils for healing. You can add essential oils to coconut oil for some extra benefits. I love to add 1 drop of lavender oil and 1 drop of frankincense oil to 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Lavender oil is known to have soothing properties and frankincense oil is known for its s healing properties. Both oils also have antibacterial properties. When choosing an essential oil, always ensure it is 100% pure and you are buying off a reputable company. I purchase my oils through Young Living*

*If you would like to know how you can open a wholesale account with Young Living and start getting the benefits of essential oils for you and your family, please send me through an email