Dry, chapped lips hurt and are unattractive. Fortunately, it is enough to know which products to use and to abandon some bad habits to have them beautiful and healthy. Drinking more water, using moisturizing balms and lipsticks, and exfoliating them periodically can help plump them up naturally. In the meantime, limit your exposure to elements that can make them dry out and avoid licking them to prevent them from drying out quickly.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Naturally Moisturize Lips
Step 1. Drink more water
One of the most effective ways to prevent lips from drying and chapping is to make sure they are getting the right hydration from within. You should drink at least two liters of water a day (about 8 glasses). As an added benefit, the water will also make them visibly fuller and fuller.
- Keep a bottle or water bottle handy even when you are at school, at work or in the car, to be able to drink throughout the day.
- It's not just the lips that benefit from proper hydration. The whole organism benefits from it.
- Caffeine-free coffee and tea and fruit juices can also help you hit the two-liter daily mark. Conversely, drinks that contain caffeine or a lot of sodium can dry out your lips.
Step 2. Use a humidifier
It aims to increase the level of humidity in the air, so it can be very useful in very dry environments. Turn it on and let it run for a few hours every day. There is a good chance that you will be able to notice the first improvements in a very short time.
Nowadays humidifiers have a rather low cost (generally between 30 and 100 euros), but the benefits offered go far beyond the price
Step 3. Hydrate them with a natural ingredient such as almond or coconut oil or shea butter
Take a small amount with your finger and then massage the product into your lips. Oils and butters moisturize the lips in a natural way and at the same time make them softer and healthier. Apply them 2-3 times a day, instead of the lip gloss.
- Almond oil is hypoallergenic; this means that it is suitable for all skin types in every part of the body.
- Thanks to the high content of vitamins A and E, organic natural oils are capable of rejuvenating the lips if they are used continuously. Try using pure vitamin E oil for even more noticeable benefits.
Step 4. Restore the natural hydration of the lips with cucumber
Cut a ripe cucumber into thin slices and place or pat them on your lips as you take a break on the sofa. In a few minutes the lips will be able to absorb the nourishing and moisturizing substances that cucumber is rich in and the positive effects will last throughout the day.
- You can use cucumber every night. It is a quick and effective treatment to add to your daily beauty routine.
- Cucumber can also help relieve chapped or sunburned lips.
Method 2 of 3: Protect Your Lips
Step 1. Look for a lip balm that will protect them from the elements that make them dry
Look for a product enriched with natural nutrients, such as shea butter, vitamin E, and coconut or jojoba oil. These ingredients strengthen the skin's natural barriers and block external agents that deprive the lips of their moisture making them dry.
- A good moisturizing balm makes lips softer, smoother and less sensitive to wind or cold.
- It is best to avoid products that contain camphor or menthol as they can make the skin even drier and cause burning when the lips are irritated.
Step 2. Purchase a lip scrub
Exfoliating is to remove dead skin cells and skin to expose the healthier underlying tissues. You should make it a habit to exfoliate your lips once or twice a week or whenever you feel the need to. Especially in winter, when the cold makes them dry and chapped, it is important to scrub frequently.
- Lip scrubs are available in perfumery and in all stores that sell cosmetic products.
- Alternatively, you can make a homemade lip scrub using for example sea salt or brown sugar paired with honey and olive or coconut oil.
Step 3. Protect them from the sun
It is often forgotten that the lips are as vulnerable to sunburn as the rest of the body. Fortunately, many lipsticks and lip balms nowadays have SPF (sun protection factor). Choose the product you prefer and remember to always apply it before going to the beach or taking a walk outdoors.
- After a few hours, reapply the protection on the lips. Read the instructions on the label to know how often it is best to use it again.
- Generally, lip products boast an SPF of 15.
Step 4. Moisturize your lips after using a matte lipstick
In order to last long, matte lipsticks must dry the surface to which they adhere. To prevent lips from becoming dry, it is best to use them only occasionally. If you like to use lipstick every day, choose a moisturizer. When using a matte lipstick, moisturize your lips immediately after removing make-up to restore the right level of hydration.
- Shea butter, vitamin E, and coconut or jojoba oil are among the best ingredients to rehydrate lips after using a matte lipstick.
- If you just can't help but use your favorite matte lipstick every day, apply a thin layer of lip balm to create a protective barrier.
Method 3 of 3: Harmful Habits to Avoid
Step 1. Don't lick your lips
When you moisten them with the tip of your tongue, you feel temporary relief, but you are actually worsening their condition in the long term. Over time, the digestive enzymes contained in saliva will corrode the barrier that naturally protects the lips, making them even more sensitive.
- It's best to always have a moisturizing lipstick or conditioner on hand. You will find it less difficult to resist the temptation to lick your lips after applying it.
- Choose a lip balm that is free from fragrance or aromas or else you'll want to lick it.
Step 2. Beware of acidic or spicy foods
There's enough acidity in a plate of spicy chicken wings or a glass of orange juice to make your lips dry almost instantly. Eating or drinking can make them chapped and sore. Fatty foods are the worst culprits as they tend to leave a residue that is difficult to get rid of.
- You should use a straw and fork whenever possible. Also try to eat slowly to minimize food contact with your lips.
- Moisturizing balms made from natural ingredients, such as shea butter or aloe vera, can soothe sore lips.
Step 3. Breathe through your nose
If you are in the habit of breathing through your mouth, from now on make it a point to inhale and exhale through your nose. The air flowing around your lips can make them dry in no time. Keeping your mouth closed also reduces the likelihood of the lipstick smudging.
- If playing sports causes you to pant, open your mouth more than normal to push your lips away from the airflow.
- Breathing with your mouth is a bad habit that causes several negative consequences in addition to drying your lips, for example it makes your mouth dry and causes you to grind your teeth and drool while you sleep.
- If you have trouble breathing through your nose, make an appointment with an otolaryngologist to check the health of your nasal septum.
Step 4. Cover up when it's cold outside
The winter weather is notoriously inclement towards the lips. If you have no choice but to go outside, wear a high-necked scarf or coat that can cover your lower face. In addition to protecting your lips, it will keep you warm.
Heavy and bundled clothes especially on cold and windy days or when you have to spend a lot of time outdoors
Advice
- You can apply lip balm whenever you feel the need. The key to preventing them from drying out is to keep them hydrated.
- Buy several packs of lip balm to always have it on hand. Keep it on your nightstand, in your purse, in your office desk drawer and in your car glove box.
- If you have very chapped lips, you may need to use a conditioner that contains ceramides, you can buy it at the pharmacy. These lipid molecules can help restore the protective barriers of the lips.
