Let's face it, nobody wants to snog anyone with a mouth more cracked than a Sahara riverbed. Cold or windy conditions can cause vital moisture to evaporate from the surface, drying out lips that can peel and often bleed.

Licking dry lips actually dries them out even more. It's better to get yourself a lipbalm. Many balms contain cocoa butter, which some people are allergic to - so if your lips are still scaly after patient use of balm, try a brand that doesn't contain it. Regularly applying a lip balm is the best way to keep your mush looking magnificent, but if it's already become a problem here's one way to fix it:

• Rest a wet, warm flannel over your lips to soften up the skin.
• Remove after 30 seconds, and apply a layer of petroleum jelly onto your lips. Leave to sink in for three to four minutes.
• Using your warm flannel once more, gently rub away the excess petroleum jelly. This will also serve to peel away any loose skin.
• Finish with an application of lip balm, and check out the results.
• Congratulations. You may have started with lips like a polar explorer, but now you can pucker up with passion and panache.

Dry, swollen, or cracked lips can also be caused by allergies, infections, drugs, and a number of medical problems. If simple methods to help the situation have failed, your GP should be able to sort it out.

Updated: 14/10/2008