Dry, chapped lips are not only irritating, they can also be uncomfortable. They tend to appear unexpectedly throughout the year, whether it’s from cold winter winds or exposure to the sun on hot summer days. While some are diligent about keeping their lips moisturized every day, many only think about lip health when they start to crack. If you’re one of them, read on to discover effective home remedies for chapped lips and preventative measures.
Most Common Causes of Chapped Lips
- Frequently licking your lips
- Dehydration
- Hot or dry weather
- Cold air
- Sun exposure
- Medical conditions or reaction to a medication
- Vitamin deficiency
Best Ways to Prevent Chapped Lips
Use SPF on your lips outdoors
To protect your lips from sunburn, apply a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before heading outdoors, regardless of the season. It’s important to protect your lips from the sun’s rays, even during the winter months. This precaution is even more important if your lips are already dry and chapped, as they are more susceptible to sunburn.
Apply lip balm throughout the day
To prevent dry lips, it’s important to keep them moisturized. Apply a lip balm regularly throughout the day and at bedtime. Choose a balm that is non-irritating, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic. Avoid ingredients such as camphor, menthol, or eucalyptus, which may irritate your lips.
Stop using irritating products
Some people mistakenly interpret sensations such as stinging, burning, or tingling as a sign that the active ingredients in their lip products are working. However, these sensations can actually irritate your lips and lead to dry, cracked lips. It’s important to stop using any product that irritates your lips in any way.
Don’t lick your lips
When your lips feel dry, the instinct to wet them by licking can make the problem worse. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving your lips even drier. In addition, picking or biting your lips can cause irritation. If you find yourself licking your lips, try applying a non-irritating lip balm instead to help retain moisture and prevent further dryness.
Keep your skin hydrated
To keep your lips from becoming dry and chapped, it’s important to keep your skin hydrated overall. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and consider using a humidifier in your bedroom, especially if you tend to sleep with your mouth open. This will help keep the air moist and can prevent excessive drying of your lips and skin.
Use a Gentle Exfoliator
To keep lips smooth and healthy, incorporate gentle exfoliation into your routine. Use a lip scrub or a soft toothbrush to gently remove dead skin cells once or twice a week. This will help prevent the buildup of dry, flaky skin that can contribute to chapped lips. Be sure to follow up with a nourishing lip balm to restore moisture and protect your lips. Avoid over-exfoliating as this can further irritate and dry out your lips.
Choose a lip balm with healing ingredients
When choosing a lip balm, look for products that contain healing and restorative ingredients such as shea butter, vitamin E, or ceramides. These ingredients help repair and replenish the skin barrier on your lips, providing long-lasting hydration and protection. In addition, look for balms that contain antioxidants such as green tea extract or chamomile, which can soothe irritation and promote overall lip health. Regular use of a balm with these beneficial ingredients will help keep your lips soft, smooth, and less prone to cracking.
Home Remedies For Chapped Lips
Honey has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties that can effectively moisturize and protect chapped lips from infection. It also acts as a gentle exfoliator, helping to remove dry, dead skin from your lips. Choose organic honey and apply several times a day with clean fingers or a cotton bud for best results.
Shea butter has several benefits for the lips. It creates a protective barrier that seals in moisture and keeps lips hydrated. As a natural emollient, it softens the skin, while its fatty acids nourish and moisturize, leaving lips soft and supple. These fatty acids also help repair the skin’s natural barrier, which is essential for lip health. Apply Shea Butter to your lips as often as needed throughout the day to keep them healthy and moisturized.
The skin on your lips lacks a strong barrier function, making it more vulnerable to environmental elements than other parts of your body. Coconut oil acts as both a moisturizer and a protective agent by strengthening the skin’s barrier function. It also offers anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which are especially beneficial for chapped lips. Apply coconut oil with a cotton bud or clean finger as needed throughout the day to soothe and protect your lips.
Before applying any lip treatment, it’s a good idea to exfoliate your lips with a sugar scrub. Dead skin cells can accumulate on your lips, preventing them from absorbing moisture. Gently exfoliating your lips with a sugar scrub will help remove these dead cells, allowing your lips to better absorb moisture from the treatment.
Known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, aloe vera is not only effective for sunburn, but also serves as an excellent remedy for chapped lips. You can use fresh aloe vera directly from the leaf of the plant or opt for a gel form. Apply it to your lips two to three times a day, as aloe vera enzymes also have gentle exfoliating properties. This will help relieve dryness and promote healing of chapped lips.
Cocoa butter is a fantastic remedy for chapped lips due to its emollient properties and rich natural antioxidants. It forms a protective and hydrating layer on the lips, shielding them from harsh temperatures and indoor heaters that can cause dryness. Cocoa butter effectively softens and moisturizes the skin, making it a common ingredient in lip treatment products known for its soothing benefits. Apply cocoa butter regularly to keep your lips moisturized and protected.
White Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
White petroleum jelly, like petroleum jelly, is non-irritating and can be applied several times a day and at bedtime. It is especially effective for severely dry and chapped lips because it creates a barrier that retains moisture longer than waxes or oils. However, if your lips are sunburned, it’s best to choose an alternative. Petroleum jelly can trap the heat from a sunburn, which can increase discomfort and delay healing.
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