1. Remember that whatever you put on your lips you are eating. Whether it is lipstick, lip gloss, moisturizers, or lip balm you are eating it throughout the day. There have been many estimates of how many pounds a day of lipstick women eat but they also consume other cosmetics and lip balms.
2. You may no doubt have read in the past to use Vaseline. But Vaseline is petroleum-based and do you really want to eat petroleum? Petroleum is crude oil. It will give you shiny lips but may also cause zits or breakouts as well. Two of its relatives - mineral oil and petrolatum do not penetrate the skin on top of your lips and they will seal in any bacteria that are present. I would not put petroleum on my lips.
3. Make sure to drink plenty of pure, filtered water or spring water throughout the day. Eat lots of fruits because they are high in moisture content. Water will hydrate you from within and keep your lips wet on the outside.