I first met Ryan during a bitter cold spell last winter, when dry, frigid air had parched and reddened her fair, delicate skin. However, it was her lips that had first led her to my office in search of help.

"I don’t know whether I need a dermatologist or a therapist," Ryan admitted to me during our initial consultation. "I am literally addicted to lip balm—I can’t live with it and I can’t live without it! " The worst part is I don’t even know if it really helps my lips—they still seemed chapped and dry." Ryan lamented.

Although at first blush, lip balm "addiction" might seem somewhat comical, it is a very real phenomena. Our lips are much thinner than the skin that covers our face and body. This means that the blood vessels in our lips are much closer to the surface, giving them a warm, reddish color.

In addition to being thinner than the skin, the lips have no oil glands. This allows them to become dry and chapped—a vulnerability exacerbated by dry winter air. To counteract the resulting inflammatory response and keep lips moist, we need to apply moisturizing treatments rich in anti-oxidants—nature’s own anti-inflammatories. Common lip balms do not possess these healing properties.

I started Ryan on two topical lip therapies:

First, I prescribed a treatment rich in alpha lipoic acid and DMAE: a combination that smoothes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the lips, helps keep them moist, and enhances their natural color and fullness. I noticed that the skin around Ryan’s lips was beginning to thin, and I knew that the right combination of these antioxidants could increase circulation and tone to the lips creating a fuller, firmer appearance.

Next, to address the chapping, I recommended a targeted emollient lip treatment, rich in olive oil polyphenols. Polyphenols are very powerful, protective antioxidants. One of the polyphenols in this patented formula—perhaps the most powerful—is hydroxytyrosol, an antioxidant found only in extra virgin olive oil.

Together, these two antioxidant-rich, science-based formulas moisten lips and improve their texture almost immediately, and provide far more benefit than any simple lip balm can.

One week later, Ryan stopped by the office. "I can’t believe what a difference I see when I look in the mirror!’ Ryan reported. Her lips were smooth and firm. The cracks and fissures were gone, as was the raw, irritated appearance. In addition, her lips appeared fuller while the contours appeared more emphasized.

Seriously chapped lips can be prevented by following a few simple steps:

• Protect and enhance lips with an anti-oxidant rich formula.
• Keep your body well hydrated by drinking eight to 10 glasses of water per day.
• Never lick your lips to moisten them. Saliva exerts a drying effect that only makes matters worse.
• Don’t forget your nutritional supplements. In addition to high-potency vitamins and antioxidant formulas, essential fatty acids like those found in high quality fish, flax, and borage oil are a must.

Thank you for reading … as always I welcome your comments.

In The Acne Prescription, Dr. Perricone describes his breakthough findings—and delivers revolutionary solutions that clear skin quickly while improving overall appearance.