Dry lips, or also called chapped lips, are one of the most common problems that can result with sore and unattractive look of the lips. Common symptoms can include dryness, flaking, cracking, redness, and tender or sore lips. A few of the main causes include a dehydration, vitamin deficiency, allergic reaction, smoking, over-licking of the lips, exposure to the sun, or harsh weather.
Natural Home Remedies for Dry Lips
There are numerous commercial products out there for dry lips, however, you can get relief easily and save some money with these excellent home remedies for chapped lips.
1. Green Tea Bag
Green tea was traditionally used for cracked lips. This is probably the best home remedy for dry lips. A wet green tea bag will effectively moisturize your chapped lips.
- Simply put one green tea bag into a warm water and leave it for a minute. Remove it and leave it about 30-60 seconds to cool down a little bit.
- Next, press it against the lips for about 5-7 minutes.
- Repeat the procedure to increase the moisture content of the lips.
- Honey and Rose Water
Honey and rose water together will moisturize your skin, and refresh your lips. This is a perfect remedy that can prevent cracks on your lips.
- Simply mix 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of rose water in a bowl.
- Put the mixture on the lips and leave it for about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the solution with some water and dry it with a clean towel.
- Repeat this regularly until your lips are renewed.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil not just smells good, but it is also one of the greatest natural moisturizers that aid heal dry lips, which are caused by cold or dry weather.
- Take 3-4 drops of pure coconut oil and apply it on the dry lips.
- Do this several time daily to keep the lips moist all the time.
- Alternatively, you can also use olive oil or mustard oil to heal your dry lips.
4. Sugar and Olive Oil
Sugar can exfoliate the dead cells in your dry lips, plus it will restore their natural softness.
- Mix ¼ teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- Next, rub this mixture on the lips really gently.
- Keep it like that for about 10-15 minutes.
- In the end, rinse it with some lukewarm water.
- Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can stop the aging of your skin. Plus, it will nourish the sensitive skin on the lips that will result in smoother and softer lips.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of milk or cream and 3-4 drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice into a bowl.
- Leave the mixture in a fridge for about an hour.
- Take out the bowl and apply the mixture on and around the lips every night before going to bed.
- For best results, do this for 3 days.
6. Aloe Vera
It is an incredible natural moisturizer. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat the pain by calming it. Aloe Vera also has great hygroscopic properties that can be helpful at moisturizing your chapped lips.
- Cut a fresh aloe leaf and get the gel out of it.
- Next, take a little amount of the jelly and put it on your dry lips.
- Leave it on until it dries completely.
- Then, wash it off.
- Repeat this method regularly and your lips will be grateful.
7. Milk Cream
Milk cream contains a high amount of fat, which aids your lips to be moisturized naturally.
- Get some milk cream and apply it on the lips.
- Leave it for about 15 minutes.
- Then, dip a cotton ball into some warm water andrinse your lips gently.
- Repeat every day, in order to get faster relief from your dry lips.
- Cucumber
Cucumber has amazing properties and it is a wonderful moisturizer. Cucumber can make your lips smooth again.
- Just take a slice of cucumber and rub it over your chapped lips. Make sure that the cucumber juice is put all over the lips.
- Leave it on for around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Then, wash your lips with some water.
- Repeat this several times per day to get a fast fix on chapped lips.
- Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil will moisturize your lips by nurturing the cells in the lips. Plus, it can build new skin cells that in turn will repair your skin rapidly. The method is so easy:
- Just take 3-4 drops of the jojoba oil and apply them on the affected area. Leave it on for about 10 -15 minutes. You will feel the difference right away.
Preventive Measures
- Stay hydrated – dehydration is one of the most common causes of dry lips. So, consume plenty of liquids and use a humidifier in your house in order to moisten the air and therefore, prevent dehydration.
- Stay away from irritants and allergens – try to protect yourself from irritants and allergens, like colorants or perfumes in cosmetics and skin care products. Also, stay away from foods as pepper, barbecue sauce, mustard, alcoholic beverages and orange juices. Check as well whether there are any ingredients in your toothpaste or mouthwash that can cause some allergic reaction.
- Always put a lip balm or lubricating cream – use lip balm or cream that contains sunscreen on the lips before going outside in the cold or dry weather. In winter, cover the lips with a scarf when you are outside.
- Consume fresh vegetables and fruits – eat more organic fruits and vegetables of various colors to get the needed nutrition, especially vitamins A, B, B2, C, and E, as well as iron.
- Don’t peel the dead skin off the lips – you should never peel the dead skin off the lips, but clean it with a clean cotton ball, which has been soaked in lukewarm water, or simply use a soft bristled toothbrush.
- Avoid licking the lips – because saliva dries quickly, leaving the lips even drier than before.
- Breathe through your nose – because breathing through the mouth could make the lips dry out.
When to Contact Your Doctor
Contact your doctor if your lips are sore and red for more than a week, and you think they’re infected. Your doctor may prescribe you an antifungal or antibiotic cream that will help you heal the infection. This remedy may also comprise 1% hydrocortisone ( a steroid medication) that will help reduce the inflammation.
In case you have a non-curative persistent sore, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.
Conclusion:
When the lips lose a lot of moisture, the skin that covers them can become really tight and begin to split. In order to avoid using chemicals, you can use some of these excellent natural remedies for dry lips. Don’t forget to read the above mentioned preventive measures because they can help you prevent dry skin in future. In case you are not interested in natural treatment, you can buy a lip balm that contains beeswax or petroleum. However, avoid lip balm that is in the pot, because repeatedly dipping the finger into the balm may introduce germs.
Reference: Nlm.nih.gov 11/2/2014