Sensitivity

I have been in a vicious cycle and I think it's coming to an end. I have been addicted to Carmex. Seriously addicted. I have at least 9 tubes going. One always in my pocket, one on my night stand, two in the kitchen, one on my desk at home, two on my desk at work and one in my purse. Oh, and one in the car. I would panic if I couldn't reach for one without having to move. Oops, I forgot the one by my reading chair. I put it on unconsciously. And my lips burned. Sizzled. Ouch.

I have been so addicted I would buy all of the tubes on the rack in the drugstore just to keep a stash on hand. I have cleaned out Target's supply. I was worried I couldn't get it if I needed it. What a junkie!

Turns out, it was the ingredients in my whitening toothpaste which started the problem. Something in my new toothpaste made my lips burn. Ouch. So on went the Carmex. And on went the Carmex. Ouch. And then it was time to brush my teeth again. So I went cold turkey with the Carmex, thinking the need to apply would disappear. The withdrawal pain has been intense. My lips cracked, peeled and bled. I looked like I was surviving a winter in Wisconsin. After two days I realized it had to be the toothpaste so I started brushing with baking soda and FINALLY, I am getting some relief. The burn is easing, the cracks are healing and I am feeling better. I have switched to olive oil on my lips for now. I need to find an organic lip balm. Maybe I can get away with no lip balm at all once I get through this. Hm. Maybe I will get enough olive oil on my lips when I cleanse my face twice a day.

And about the olive oil as a cleanser: it's all I use now. A half a teaspoon rubbed on my face and neck does the trick. Nothing fancy there at all. I follow with a rinse and towel dry and a cotton ball of witch hazel. I had someone guess my age at 38 the other day. I was wearing mascara and a touch of blush. Between drinking a half gallon of water a day, the organic food and the olive oil cleanser, my skin is vastly improved. I'll keep doing anything which makes me appear 20 years younger than I am.