1 Check your toothpasteNicola Clayton, a dermatologist at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London and a spokeswoman for the British Association of Dermatologists, says that products containing the detergent sodium laureth sulphate will “strip the skin of oils and can make your lips extra dry”. These can include some toothpastes, so check that yours is free of the drying chemicals. Try Jason Powersmile (£6.49, jasonnaturalcare.co.uk) or Sensodyne Daily Care (£3.50, boots.com). If you use a mouthwash, avoid those containing alcohol or sodium laureth sulphate, which will dry the lips and mouth: Biotène (£8.54, dentaldirect.co.uk) is a good choice. 2 Apply a barrierThe biting cold weather of recent weeks hasn’t been kind to our lips, which, lacking the natural oil glands present in the…

Source: The Times February 05, 2019 00:00 UTC