Our lips are very susceptible to becoming dry and chapped because they do not contain oil glands like other parts of the skin.
It is especially common to get dry lips during certain times of the year. There are a variety of causes and, fortunately, different home remedies to remedy this issue.
Table of Contents:
- Why Are My Lips So Dry?
- How Can I Get Rid of Dry Lips Naturally?
- Virgin Coconut Oil
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Honey
- Cucumber
- Petroleum Jelly
- Sugar Exfoliation
- Essential Oils
- How Can I Prevent Dry and Chapped Lips?
Why Are My Lips So Dry?
Lack of moisture, low humidity, excessive sun exposure, spicy foods, constant licking of lips are some of the most common causes of dry lips.
When you lick your already dry lips, the saliva from the tongue strips the moisture from it and results in even more dryness.
Certain health conditions can also make your lips dry. According to a study, dry lips are a possible diagnostic sign of appendicitis.
Other examples include actinic cheilitis, angular cheilitis, thyroid disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and low vitamin B complex or iron levels.
How Can I Get Rid of Dry Lips Naturally?
There are many natural ways you can moisturize your lips for longer and remedy your dry lips.
Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil is a natural emollient and has intense moisturizing properties. A study has shown that virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and protects the skin by enhancing the skin barrier function.
Take 4 to 5 drops of virgin coconut oil and massage it on your lips till it is completely absorbed. You may observe softer lips within the first few uses.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It helps in hydrating and soothing dry lips and prevents them from drying.
The polysaccharides present in aloe vera help in binding moisture to your lips for longer and encourage the skin to generate new cells.
Apply a thick coat of aloe vera gel and leave it overnight. Wake up to soft, smooth lips.
Honey
Honey also has moisturizing properties, which makes it extremely useful for treating dry lips. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and can help in preventing infections from developing on dry lips.
Apply a coat of honey with your fingers to your lips. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, rinse with water, and apply a lip balm. Alternatively, you can leave it on overnight and wash it the next morning.
Cucumber
Cucumber has cooling and hydrating properties. It contains many vitamins and minerals which can gently moisturize the lips.
You can either choose a lip balm with cucumber extract or directly apply the juice to your lips.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is a key ingredient in many lip balms available in the market today. It acts as a protective coating on the lips and prevents moisture from escaping.
Since it is an occlusive agent, it can only prevent moisture loss, but it does not provide moisture to the lips.
You can apply a thick coat of petroleum jelly over your favorite moisturizing lip balm.
Sugar Exfoliation
Over time, dead skin cells can build up on your lips and prevent your lips from getting the moisture they need. You can use a gentle sugar scrub to get rid of all the dead skin cells.
Take half a teaspoon of sugar and mix it with a few drops of coconut oil. Mix thoroughly and apply the scrub to your lips.
Gently rub your lips in a circular motion to remove the dead cells. Do this for a minute and wipe your lips clean.
Apply some coconut oil or lip balm to restore the moisture to your lips.
Essential Oils
Essential oils such as frankincense oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, and jasmine oil can also be used for dry lips.
Frankincense oil provides hydration and helps in restoring moisture back to your lips.
Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties.
Peppermint oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids nourish the lips and make them soft, supple, and moisturized. It also contains vitamin C, which protects the lips from sun damage.
Take 2 to 3 drops of your favorite essential oil and mix it with triple the quantity of carrier oil.
Apply it over your lips and leave it overnight.
How Can I Prevent Dry and Chapped Lips?
Here are a few ways you can prevent your lips from becoming dry and chapped.
- Make sure your lips are always moisturized. Keep reapplying your favorite lip balm as often as you need.
- Use a non-irritating lip balm. Make sure your lip balm does not contain camphor, eucalyptus, lanolin, fragrance, salicylic acid, etc. Look for ingredients like castor oil, mineral oil, shea butter, petroleum jelly, zinc oxide, or mineral oil.
- Be consistent with your lip moisturizing remedies.
- Stop licking your lips.
- Drink about 8 to 10 glasses of water every day as this will keep your lips hydrated.
- Picking or biting your lips also makes them dry, so refrain from doing that.
- Avoid sun exposure as much as possible. Whenever you do step out, make sure that you apply lip balm with an SPF 30 or more.
Home remedies like essential oils can help remedy and prevent dry lips. On that note, I would like to recommend you two amazing oils which you can mix and use on your lips.
WOW Frankincense Essential Oil
WOW Frankincense Essential Oil has an intense healing property. It has a spicy and sweet aroma which makes it easier and more fun to use this essential oil.
Use it to bid goodbye to be dry and chapped lips.
Always mix it with a carrier oil. To make it easier, I have mentioned one of my favorite carrier oils next.
WOW Moroccan Argan Oil is a cold-pressed oil blend of natural oils. It consists of Moroccan Argan Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil & Coconut Oil.
It can work very well as a carrier oil to treat dry and chapped oils. Mix it with a few drops of any essential oil and apply it over your lips.
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