How to Prevent and Heal Dry Chapped Lips

Dry, chapped lips can be an uncomfortable and unsightly problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're dealing with flaky, peeling skin or painful cracks and splits, dry lips can interfere with everyday activities like eating, speaking, and even smiling. While there are many potential causes of dry lips, including weather conditions, dehydration, allergies, and certain medications, there are also plenty of simple strategies you can use to prevent and heal this common issue.

In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most effective remedies and prevention techniques for dry, chapped lips. From easy home remedies like hydrating lip balms and natural oils to lifestyle changes like drinking more water and protecting your lips from harsh weather, we'll cover everything you need to know to keep your lips soft, supple, and healthy.

Reasons For Dry Chapped Lips

The skin on our lips is different than the skin on the rest of the body. That is because lips are much more delicate and thin. Besides that, our lips don't have oil glands, which means they cannot produce moisture.

Of course, when you combine this factor with the dry weather, our lips can become chapped and dry. Because of this, one needs to constantly moisturize lips in the winter season to ensure hydration.

Preventing Chapped Lips

If you want to prevent chapped and dry lips this season, you can take a few steps. Most of us don't realize that we tend to chew, lick, or pull on our lips without even thinking. These habits can make your lips worse if they are already dry.

On the other hand, if your lips are dry, you must not peel the skin. When you do this, you also remove healthy skin during the process. However, you can prevent chapped lips by following these steps:

• Staying hydrated at all times
• Frequently exfoliating lips
• Avoiding lip products that contain irritants and allergens
• Avoiding flavored or scented lip products
• Using products with sunscreen
• Quitting smoking 

All these steps can help you prevent chapped lips. It will improve hydration and provide your lip with the moisture needed.

Top 3 Ways To Heal Dry Chapped Lips

Sometimes, no matter what you do, the weather can remain harsh and cause damage to your lips. If the above methods don't work in preventing chapped lips, here are some of the ways you can heal them:

1. Invest in a Good Lip Balm
   
   A good lip balm can save your lips on the driest of days. However, you must remember to check the ingredients before buying one. That is because many popular brands contain ingredients that cause further lip dryness.
   These ingredients include:
   
   • Phenol
   • Camphor
   • Menthol
   • Eucalyptus
   • Flavors such as mint, citrus, cinnamon, etc.
   • Artificial fragrances
   • Lanolin
   • Oxybenzone
   • Salicylic acid
   Avoid all these ingredients by reading the label carefully. Instead, invest in a lip balm with the following ingredients:
   • Beeswax
   • Petroleum
   • Ceramides
   • Castor seed oil
   • She butter
   • Hemp seed oil
   You should also check that the lip balm is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Following this ingredient list will help you select a lip balm that will keep your lips moisturized and shiny.
2. Hydrate Yourself
   
   Dehydration is one of the major causes of dry and chapped lips. However, many of us don't understand when we feel dehydrated. That is why it is crucial to create a habit of drinking water frequently the entire day.
   
   When your body feels dehydrated, it will cause dryness, which will lead to chapped lips. So, always keep a big water bottle with you and ensure that you keep drinking from it throughout the day.
3. Use Natural Remedies
   
   Sometimes, using natural remedies is the answer because such remedies include incredibly healing ingredients. Here are some of the top natural remedies you can use for dry and chapped lips:
   • Honey
     
     Honey can moisturize your skin in no time, which is why it is one of the best treatments for dry and chapped lips. It contains antibacterial properties and antioxidants that also prevent infections in dry lips. Yes, if your lips become too dry or chapped, you might get an infection, which is why honey is excellent.
   • Aloe Vera
     
     Aloe vera has soothing and healing properties that can help hydrate your lips in no time. The plant contains antioxidants, minerals, anti-inflammatories, and vitamins that will rehydrate dry skin and soothe it in no time.
   • Green Tea
     
     If exfoliation is too rough on your dry and chapped lips, you can use green tea instead. It contains many minerals and antioxidants that work to decrease inflammation. It is a simple process, and you don't have to do much.
     
     All you must do is soak a bag of green tea in some warm water. After that, rub the bag on your lips to remove any excess dry skin and soften the lips. It is a natural alternative to exfoliation and much gentler.
   • Coconut Oil
     
     Coconut oil is not just good for hair. It can also help heal your dry and chapped lips. The oil is created from the coconut's flesh, and it is an emollient that helps prevent inflammation in the skin. Because of this, the oil has the ability to soften your skin and soothe it.
     
     You can apply coconut oil to your lips before sleeping and after waking up. Doing this will guarantee that your lips stay hydrated with minimal effort. You can also try other oils that might work better for you.

Control your urge to pick your chapped skin, and instead, use these remedies and techniques. They will help you keep your lips looking fresh at all times. Remember, the first step is prevention, and most likely, you will not get dry lips if you follow the guidelines with consistency.

Related Content:

• 8 Helpful Tips to Keep Your Skin Hydrated and Healthy All Winter