Foods for Healthy Lips

You may be the kind of person who takes their skin care routine seriously, ensuring that you exfoliate and moisturize on a daily basis. Though many people are interested in keeping their skin looking clear and vibrant, our skin serves other purposes, including helping to protect us against bacteria, dirt, and even ultraviolet rays emitted from the sun.  Taking care of your skin goes beyond having the right moisturizer or routine, it requires a more holistic approach to giving your body the right nutrients. 

In fact, macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) and micronutrients (vitamins) play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin.  But when we think about healthy skin, we may not always think to take extra care of our lips or wonder how our lips can be impacted by the types of nutrients we put into our bodies. Below, we discuss the role of foods for lip health, examining the various vitamin rich-foods you can incorporate into your diet to maintain healthy lips.  

Vitamins and Nutrients for Lip Health

There are many suggestions out there as to how to care for your skin and lips. Most health care professionals would suggest that you avoid smoking, as it can damage collagen and elastin, which are the fibers that help keep your skin strong and elastic.  The foods we also put into our bodies can also have an effect on our lip health. For example, studies have shown that higher intakes of dietary vitamin C (found in foods like citrus fruits) have been correlated to a decreased risk of dry skin and lips.  Furthermore, vitamin E (found in foods like leafy green vegetables) is an anti-inflammatory agent in the skin and several studies have shown that it can reduce skin swelling and skin thickness. 

For healthier looking lips, you can start by adding a few vitamin-rich foods to your diet each day.

Here are some foods to look out for: