Even if you don't suffer from dry skin, you may find that your lips become chapped and dry over the colder winter months. Just as your hair and the rest of your skin can suffer so too can your lips. This can leave your lips sore and make you feel self-conscious about how you look. 

While you will probably bundle up over the next few months, especially when venturing outside, it is very rare that you provide any protection for your lips. Cold temperatures, wind, dry air - caused by central heating - and the general rigours of winter can steal moisture from your lips.

Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips have only very thin layers of surface skin, which means they are more likely to become affected by external and internal changes. While the rest of your face might remain dry - although it can also be affected by the cold - your lips are highly likely to suffer.

You actually lose around ten-times more moisture from your lips than from skin on any other area of your body, meaning it is really important to ensure they get all the help and protection they can. As well as drinking lots of water, which is beneficial for all your skin as well as your system as a whole, there are ways that you can improve the feel and appearance of chapped lips.

If your lips are feeling dry or chapped, avoid licking them. Although putting saliva on your lips will help momentarily, it can actually make the problem worse. Saliva will evaporate from the surface of your lips, which can result in more moisture being lost.

Biting your lips to get rid of loose skin can damage them even more, reduce their ability to heal and result in your lips getting sore. Instead, mix some granulated sugar with a small amount of lip balm and gently scrub in a circular motion over your lips. This will get rid of the loose skin, moisturise the lips and allow the skin to heal better.

Carry lip balm with you everywhere as you never know when you might need it. It is best to apply it before going outside, before bed and whenever your lips start to feel incredibly dry. Natural oils are best to use as they compliment the skin's natural oils and won't result in your lips getting dry again when you stop using them.