Dear Andreas,

I've had a problem with dry, peeling lips for the past 5 years. I've never had problems with my lips or any skin problems for that matter before. Well, about 5 years ago, I was smoking weed when I noticed that my lips were very chapped and peeling. Thats when I started using chapstick. However, since then, my lips never healed and returned to its "normal" state. My lips are always dry and they dry up quickly. Say for instance, I wash my lips. At that instant, my lips might appear to be fine, however, 1-2 hrs later, my lips will have dried up and start to get crusty.

I've tried everything from prescribed creams, ointments, chapsticks, balms, vitamin creams, oils, etc etc

Currently, I break up a vitamin E capsule at night and then apply it on my lips. Then in the morning, I try to clean my lips so to speak and then apply crisco which keeps my lips presentable for and hr or so. Then I have to wash my lips and either apply more crisco or apply some african shea butter so I can exfoliate the lip skin later on during the day.

The problem seems like my lip is unable to moisturize itself. It simply just drys up. My lips will dry up, either crack or get "hard" and then peel. The dried up skin also turns white when in contact with water. It seems to be worst on my bottom lip and on the middle bottom of my upper lip.

This is how it looks if I dont apply anything for couple days:

http://img233.exs.cx/img233/2204/chlit58xq.jpg

Currently, Im trying to order your book and I want to try liver cleansing.

I no longer drink alcohol, smoke or do drugs. I drink plenty of water and I exercise at least couple times a week by running.

This lip problem has taken my "life" away from me. I just want it back.