8 Easy Remedies That Your Dry Lips Will Thank You for Using

Chapped lips have been associated mainly with winter and cold temperatures, but they can also appear due to other factors. For example, extremely dry weather can have a bad effect on your lips. And while prevention is always the best tactic, sometimes the issue appears, and we have no choice but to try and solve it. That’s why we’ve prepared a list of easy things you can do at home to treat annoyingly chapped lips.

1. Use aloe vera and honey.

Aloe vera gel is often used for burns, but it can also do wonders on chapped and dry lips. You can easily buy some gel from the store or use the gel straight from the plant if you have one at home. You just need to take off one leaf, cut it open, and remove the gel from it. Make sure that you go easy with it, though, since aloe vera has some mild exfoliating properties.

When it comes to honey, there are many studies that prove how great it is for wound healing. It can also help moisturize your dry lips and exfoliate them slightly, removing some dead skin. Organic honey is the best for this, so try to stay away from store-bought, sugar-loaded forms of honey.

2. Use lip balms that have SPF protection.

No matter if it’s summer or winter, putting on lip balm with SPF 30 or higher is very important in order to protect your lips. Try to find a product that contains either titanium oxide or zinc oxide, and apply the balm every 2 hours if you are outside for too long. Remember that the sun can damage your skin and lips, even in very low temperatures.

3. Use avocado oil.

While many people use avocado oil for cooking, it’s also great as a lip moisturizer. It’s not a major allergen, so it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin that have chapped lips for most of the year. The sterolin this oil contains protects the structure of the skin cells and treats inflammation. After it’s done its reconstructive work, it leaves your lips soft and super moisturized.

4. Use petroleum jelly throughout the day.

Petroleum jelly is very easy to find and quite inexpensive, and scientists approved its daily use for chapped lips. It seals in moisture longer than oils and waxes, and you can apply it to your lips during the day and at night before going to bed. This way, it will have plenty of time to do its job and bring the shine back to your dry, dull lips.

5. Use cucumber slices.

You’ve probably seen many women in movies put cucumber slices on their eyes, and as it turns out, you can do the same thing with your lips. Just take a couple of slices and rub them gently on your lips, and leave the cucumber juice on them for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off. You can also mash the slices, turn them into a paste, and apply it to your lips like a mask.

6. Use green tea bags.

Green tea is known for its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may not be proven to cure chapped lips, but what it will do is tone down the burning sensation of dry lips. Simply put a tea bag in hot water, leave it for a few minutes, and then remove it. Apply the tea bag to your lips for a few minutes, and you will notice that they feel much better afterward.

7. Use a light exfoliating mixture.

There are many scrub recipes that you can find online, and most of them are sugar-based. Something simple including sugar and honey can be very beneficial for dry and chapped lips. You should be very gentle with how you rub the scrub on your lips. A scrub is especially necessary if your lips have flakes of dry skin hanging off of them.

8. Use a balm that contains beeswax.

Beeswax contains many antibacterial properties that help in healing wounds of all kinds, including chapped lips. It will help with the infection and stimulate the skin to start producing new cells. All you need to do is find a good lip balm containing beeswax and continue to apply it on your lips as many times as you want during the day.

Bonus: how to prevent chapped lips

• Avoid holding metal things using your teeth and mouth. If your lips are sensitive, they will get even worse by doing that.
• Don’t lick, bite, or pick your lips when they feel dry. Instead of moistening them, you are making them even drier.
• If you breathe through your mouth, try to stop and breathe from your nose instead.
• Stay hydrated all year long, even on days when you don’t feel dehydrated at all.
• If your home is dry, you can use a humidifier to add some much-needed moisture to the air.
• Exfoliating isn’t only a treatment, but also a preventative method. Do it as often as you feel your lips need it.

Do you suffer from dry lips during the winter? If you do, what methods do you use in order to combat the issue?