The pleasantly cold air of "ber" months has its share of inconveniences, including shivers, itchy dry skin, and chapped lips. Lip skin is delicate, so it tends to dry out as temperatures drop. If left to worsen without proper care, this results in flaky, cracked lips. Not so flattering when you’re putting on lipstick before reunion night. If you notice that your lips are drier than they should be, here are 8 tips to help them heal faster and look beautiful again.

Swipe On Some Lip Balm. There’s a good reason lip balm is considered a traveler’s skin care essential. When finding lip balm, choose a stick that is high in emollients, or ingredients which help lock in moisture in spite of cold weather. Some examples are petrolatum, shea butter, cocoa butter, lanolin, beeswax, and plant oils. Dimethicone cream is also a good ingredient, as it seals off painful cracks in dry lips. You may also choose lip ointment. Apply lip balm before wearing lipstick or lip gloss, and reapply it frequently for constant protection. Your lips need roughly six to eight coats throughout the day, so it’s best for you to swipe on some balm right after waking up and right before going to bed. It might help if you have a tube in your purse, one in your car, and another at your desk.

Travelling to a Colder Country? Protect Your Lips. We usually cover the mouth last when we leave the house in cold weather. The lips end up exposed to the elements, even though they actually need more care. The next time you go on vacation in a country experiencing winter, you can protect your lips by wearing a scarf or ski mask that covers your mouth.

Stay Hydrated. There are countless benefits that come with drinking the required 8 glasses of water daily. One such benefit is that it prevents chapped lips by fighting dehydration. Aside from getting enough water, you can try using a humidifier indoors. To replenish your skin while you sleep, leave the humidifier on overnight.

Don’t Lick Your Lips. This habit might appear to help keep your lips wet at first. In reality, though, it does the exact opposite instead. Saliva dries quickly, taking more moisture in the process. This leaves your lips drier than they were at first. If you feel the urge to lick your lips, put on some more lip balm instead.

Don’t Pick at Flaky Skin. You may occasionally feel a dry flake of lip skin ready for you to pull off. Again, your lips have delicate skin compared to the rest of your body. Picking at flakes of skin can cause bleeding and a stinging pain. It will also slow the healing process and irritate the skin more. Instead of picking your lips, reaching for your balm is the best thing to do.

Use Aloe Vera. Aloe vera is known for its soothing effects on burns and wounds. Whether in gel form or part of a lip balm, it helps relieve any pain from cracked skin. It can heal small cuts on your chapped lips, too.

Steer Clear of Allergens. If you’re fond of flavored toothpaste, be sure that the flavoring isn’t synthetic. Otherwise, it can trigger an allergic reaction and cause your lips to become even more dry and flaky. This also goes for the fragrances you wear. Perfumes and dyes can irritate sensitive lips, so keep them away from your mouth.