While some people don’t have the burden of dry, chapped lips, others may suffer it daily. Dry and chapped lips can, often times, result in the cracking of the bottom lip, the sides of the lips, and in the corner of the mouth. As the skin repairs itself, this can leave you with excess dead skin and scarring or an unattractive discoloration of skin on the lips. The lips are one of the first features to be noticed, so it’s important to know how to get rid of dry and chapped lips. Be aware of weather conditions, foods, and habits that can worsen your condition. Instead, use these home remedies to help repair your lips to their natural beauty.
How to get rid of dry and chapped lips fast
You don’t need any fancy creams or a prescription. Once you understand how the skin on your lips work, it’s easier to apply a solution. Consistency is the key. Your lips won’t stay hydrated with the moisturizer applied yesterday. Outside temperatures and wind can affect the skin as well as a harsh sun. When it comes to healing the lips, remember to moisturize, protect, and exfoliate.
Water
When your body is dehydrated, the glands underneath the epidermis won’t have any water to moisturize the skin. The skin on your lips is different and more delicate because it doesn’t have the outer dermis layer that the rest of the body has. Nor does it have glands that keep it moisturized. Saliva is the only source of moisturization that your lips receive naturally. So, by upping your intake of water to the recommended 8 glasses daily, can ensure that the lips are getting the hydration they need. Not only that, but the rest of your body will benefit as well.
Cucumber
Cucumber is one of the miracles foods of healthy living and eating. It can be used for rehydration simply by holding a couples fresh slices to your lips for 5-10 minutes.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera can be used to heal the pain of dry, chapped, and cracked lips while moisturizing them as well. It’s safe and natural, and can be applied several times a day.
Avocado
Avocados are used in many skin moisturizing products since they are effective natural moisturizers. Avocados also contain numerous nutrients that are essential for our body and for our skin as well.
Simply make a paste out of a fresh avocado. Mash it with a fork and apply the paste onto your lips. This remedy will nourish the lips and help to restore moisture. Leave the paste on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains vitamin E and is great for dry lips. It will soften the lips and provide protection. Apply coconut oil onto your lips before bedtime and don’t wash it off. This remedy may repair the dry and chapped lips overnight (depending on the severeness of the lips).
Honey
Honey has great healing properties for the skin. It will moisturize the lips and make them smooth and healthy.
Add a dab of honey onto the chapped lips and leave it there until it dries out. Wash it off with cold water. This treatment will cure the chapped and dry lips quickly.
Humidifier
It may seem like an overkill for a set of lips. But those are your lips and they’re worth it. Not to mention, the skin on the rest of your body will thank you as well. Humidifiers add moisture into the air. This helps to combat dry summers and winters that can leave your skin dry and cracked. An alternative method is to turn on the hot water in your shower and leave the windows and doors closed. Sitting in this steamy enclosed space for 10-20 minutes can rehydrate the skin. Follow up with a petroleum lotion or a jelly that will lock in the moisture.
Protect with a Scarf
Lips can get wind-chapped just like the rest of the skin. Protect them with a scarf or bandana if the wind is especially active.
Lip Balm
Moisturize the lips daily, several times a day. This helps to protect against a harsh weather, temperatures and other irritants. You’ll be less tempted to lick your lips once they are hydrated. Also, before you wash the face with a cleanser, apply a lip balm. Even if the cleanser is gentle, it is designed to remove extra skin and oils which can dry out the skin. Applying the lip balm prior to washing your face helps the lips to retain moisture. You may also want to invest in a lip balm with sunscreen of at least SPF 15 to prevent sunburn on the lips. Other beneficial ingredients to keep an eye out for are coconut oil, jojoba, vitamin E, almond, beeswax, or shea butter.
Avoid Citrus fruits
When repairing chapped lips, avoid citrus fruits. These can irritate your lips further. Citrus fruits contain acids that often react to sunlight with an increased ability to suck moisture from the skin.
Spicy Foods
Spicy foods will irritate the sensitive dry and chapped lips due to the harshness of the herbs used. They may even contain acids that increase the discomfort or pain. When your lips are in need of a repair, take it easy.
Stop Licking your Lips
It might sound like a good idea and it may even provide temporary relief. However, licking your lips only worsen the situation, leading to dry, chapped skin and cracked lips that can be painful. The saliva dries out your lips. This begins a vicious cycles of increased discomfort for every time you lick the lips. It only ends when you begin to properly moisturize your lips.
Toothpaste
Manufactured toothpaste may be the cause of your dehydrated lips. They often times contain ingredients such as Sodium Fluoride, FD & C Blue Dyes 1 and 2, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Triclosan and Hydrated Silica which can irritate and dry out your lips further. Try to find gentler toothpaste or use natural methods such as a brushing your teeth with baking soda.
A Side Note
If you’ve been battling with dry and chapped lips, remember that some medications can cause dry lips. If you suspect that this is the case, before you make any decisions, talk to your doctor about alternative medications.
Some lipsticks can be the cause of dry lips. Some matte lipsticks, while they are long-lasting, don’t provide the moisture or protection that the lips need. Avoid this type of lipsticks when your lips are chapped. Substitute them for hydrating lipsticks containing vitamin E or primrose oil. Another option is to add a layer of lip balm before applying the lipstick.
Exfoliate with a Toothbrush
This can be as simple as using an old or soft bristles toothbrush to gently remove dead or excess skin from your lips. Just be sure to remember to apply a lip balm afterwards. If your lips are already experiencing dryness or cracking, be gentle as not to worsen the situation.
Sugar Scrub
For this simple sugar scrub, you’ll need only 1 Tbsp of sugar and enough honey to make a paste. You can interchange the honey for olive oil or coconut oil. Simply mix the ingredients and apply to your lips, massage them firm enough to remove the excess skin. Don’t over-exfoliate as this can lead to irritated or even damaged skin. Weekly or sometimes bi-weekly is more than adequate. When you’ve completed the exfoliation, let the paste stand for 1 minute before rinsing it off. Follow up with a lip balm application.
References:
http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/7-tips-beautiful-lips
http://www.ebay.com/gds/The-5-Harmful-Ingredients-in-Toothpaste-READ-THIS-/10000000003239604/g.html
http://www.everydayroots.com/homemade-lip-exfoliator/
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