When lips are chapped it is best to avoid further irritating them with the artificial ingredients contained in some lip balms. Fragrances, artificial colors and emollients can exasperate the condition of the lips. Sometimes you may simply not have lip balm available and want to find relief without having to run to the perfumery. Don't worry, you can ease the symptoms and heal your lips with home remedies, without using substances that can irritate them. Plus, learn how to protect and moisturize them regularly with healthy, natural ingredients.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Avoid Irritants
Step 1. Avoid licking your lips
While it may momentarily give relief, it has several disadvantages. In fact, saliva can irritate your lips if you constantly lick them; Furthermore, you will end up removing the natural oils that serve to protect them and retain their natural moisture to prevent them from drying out.
Step 2. Breathe through your nose
The more you breathe using your mouth, the more your lips become dehydrated. This suggests that if you have a cold in addition to chapped lips, a decongestant medication can help you solve both problems.
Step 3. Do not tear dry skin
Instead, try to soften them with an emollient, such as coconut or almond oil, and wait for them to come off naturally. Removing them ahead of time will expose the living skin underneath, which is very delicate, and you may feel pain.
Step 4. Avoid foods that are very salty, acidic or spicy
Foods that belong to these categories can further irritate the lips when they are already damaged. In particular you should avoid:
- Citrus fruits and juices, for example grapefruit or orange juice;
- Popcorn, chips and all pretzels in general;
- Sauces or spicy foods.
Step 5. Don't use toothpastes that contain synthetic flavors, such as peppermint, or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
These are substances that can cause an allergic reaction that would exacerbate the problem of irritated skin. Search online for SLS-free toothpaste.
Step 6. Protect your lips from the sun
Together with the wind it is the main culprit for the lips chapping. When the lips are not in perfect health, the sun's rays can exacerbate the problem. In most cases it is best not to use a lip balm with SPF when the lips are chapped because the protective substances could aggravate the irritation, so the best thing to do is to stay in the shade.
Step 7. Protect your lips from the elements
On very dry or windy days, the skin tends to dehydrate and dry out quickly. Try not to spend a lot of time outdoors so that the lips have a chance to heal.
Part 2 of 3: Helping Lips Heal
Step 1. Apply beeswax or petroleum jelly to your lips
They are two substances recommended by experts. Beeswax contains propolis which have an anti-inflammatory action and promote healing. Vaseline is an emollient agent that moisturizes and protects the lips.
Step 2. Hold or rub cucumber slices on your lips for five minutes
It is an ingredient known for its moisturizing abilities thanks to the vitamin B-5 content. It also relieves the skin and reduces inflammation.
Alternatively, you can apply cucumber juice to your lips several times a day
Step 3. Use almond or coconut oil instead of lip balm
Both have the ability to moisturize the skin as well as making it softer and more supple. They also act as a natural anti-inflammatory. In particular, coconut oil promotes skin healing, reduces the risk of infection and relieves pain, so it is a real cure-all for chapped lips.
The other oils useful to solve the problem of chapped lips are olive, jojoba and mustard oil. They too have moisturizing and protective properties although reduced compared to those of coconut and almonds
Step 4. Use pure cocoa or shea butter
They are excellent thanks to their emollient and anti-inflammatory properties: they trap moisture and protect the lips. Both cocoa and shea butter contain antioxidant substances that protect lips from sun damage.
Step 5. Take advantage of the properties of fresh cream, just a few drops
The fat content makes it effective for moisturizing the lips, although it does not have the same anti-inflammatory and healing properties as oils or shea or cocoa butter. It can be especially useful if you don't have a suitable oil or butter at home. Apply a few drops to your lips and let it sit for ten minutes before rinsing them off with warm water.
Step 6. Use aloe vera
You can buy aloe vera gel at a pharmacy or supermarket or you can make it directly from the plant by carving a leaf and easily extracting it with a spoon. Aloe vera is an excellent anti-inflammatory and promotes faster tissue healing. As some experts believe it can irritate lips if they are very chapped, use the gel with caution.
Step 7. Fill up on Vitamin E and C
When taken together, these two vitamins help damaged lips heal, particularly if they are chapped due to sunburn.
Some sites dedicated to skin care and beauty suggest applying vitamin E oil directly to chapped lips, but according to some experts it could cause them to irritate
Part 3 of 3: Protect Your Lips
Step 1. Use a humidifier in the bedroom
Keeping the air moist while you sleep will help prevent your lips from becoming dehydrated further. This is especially important when air conditioning or heating are on, as both can dry out the air.
Step 2. Drink lots of water
Dehydration is a major cause of chapped lips, especially during the winter as people tend to drink less. To fix this, try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your body hydrated.
Step 3. Avoid lipstick or use a moisturizer
Alternatively, you can apply a nourishing and protective oil to your lips before applying makeup. You can also use a lip balm with an SPF of no less than 15.
Step 4. Protect your lips with a scarf when outdoors
The wind can cause them to crack or aggravate their conditions as it deprives them of their natural moisture. Use a scarf to cover your mouth so your lips are protected and have a chance to heal.
