Chapped or dry lips are a common problem that can be painful and unattractive. Common symptoms are dryness, redness, cracking, flaking, and tender or sore lips. Some of the main causes are vitamin deficiency, allergic reaction, dehydration, smoking, excessive licking of lips, sun exposure and harsh weather.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for chapped lips :
1. Sugar
Exfoliating dead cells off your chapped lips will help restore their natural softness faster.
- Mix two teaspoons of sugar with one teaspoon of honey. Apply the paste to your lips and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Then use your fingers and gently rub the mixture around on your lips to loosen the dead cells.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
2. Honey
Honey is a great moisturizer that also has healing and antibacterial properties to treat chapped lips.
- Simply apply pure honey on your chapped lips several times a day.
- You can also make a paste of honey and glycerin and apply it before going to bed to enjoy softer lips in the morning.
3. Rose Petals
The rose plant in your garden can also come to your rescue when suffering from chapped lips. This remedy will help your lips stay moisturized while also enhancing their beautiful color.
- Wash a handful of rose petals thoroughly in water. Soak the petals in milk for a few hours. (If you have issues with dairy products, you can soak them in glycerin instead.)
- Mash the rose petals into a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on your dry lips two to three times a day and every night before going to bed.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer that can help heal chapped lips caused by cold or dry weather. Simply apply pure coconut oil several times a day on your lips to keep them moist. You can also use olive oil or mustard oil.
5. Castor Oil
Castor oil is another good treatment for dry and chapped lips.
- Simply apply castor oil to your lips several times a day.
- You can also make a soothing treatment using one teaspoon of castor oil, one teaspoon of glycerin and a few drops of fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and apply it on your lips before going to bed. In the morning, wash it off with a cotton ball dipped in lukewarm water. Repeat this daily until your lips are healed.
6. Milk Cream
The high fat content of milk cream makes it a great natural lip moisturizer.
- Apply fresh milk cream on your lips and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then gently wash your lips with a cotton ball dipped in lukewarm water.
- Do this daily to help your lips heal faster.
7. Aloe Vera Gel
The healing qualities of aloe vera are well known. Putting a small amount of aloe vera gel on your lips daily will help them heal and relieve the pain. Aloe vera gel has an unpleasant taste but its amazing healing quality is worth it.
8. Cucumber
Another simple and natural solution for chapped lips is cucumber.
- Rub a small slice of cucumber across your dry lips gently so that the juice is applied well over them.
- Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash your lips with water.
- Do this several times a day to help your lips heal faster.
9. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is also very effective in treating dry lips.
- Simply apply some petroleum jelly over your dry lips several times a day to keep them well protected. Reapply before going to bed to keep your lips well nourished during the night.
- You can also first put a light coat of honey on your lips, letit dry for a few seconds and then apply a light coat of petroleum jelly. Wait a few minutes and then remove it with a cotton ball dipped in warm water. Repeat this remedy twice daily.
10. Water
Dehydration can be the reason behind your chapped lips. It’s important to drink plenty of water during the day to keep your body well hydrated. Try to start your day by drinking one or two glasses of water before eating or drinking anything else. Also, before going to bed drink at least one glass of water. In addition to keeping you hydrated, water helps flush toxins out of the body.
These remedies are effective in treating dry and chapped lips. But to prevent recurrence, keep your lips well moisturized and your body well hydrated, avoid extreme temperatures, and eat a proper diet.
Diet for Cracked, Chapped and Dry Lips
Much like the skin on the rest of the body, the lips also must be kept hydrated. Here are some dietary tips which help in relieving cracked and chapped lips.
- Ensure an adequate intake of water and other fluids on a daily basis.
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet comprising of a variety of different foods. The body requires a steady supply of several vitamins and minerals in order to stay healthy. Consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as these are rich in antioxidants. This helps to protect the body from the adverse effects of free radicals which affect the cells. In case you are unable to obtain all your nutrients from the diet, speak to your doctor regarding the intake of nutritional supplements.
- Vitamin A is an especially important vitamin for good health of the skin as it helps in repair and maintenance. You can obtain vitamin A from foods such as milk, apricots, carrots and milk.
- Vitamin C which is contained in citrus fruits and several vegetables helps to protect the body from sun damage and also aids in tissue repair. Vitamin C even increases collagen production and this makes the lips fuller and suppler.
- Nuts, leafy vegetables and eggs contain high amounts of vitamin E which helps to prevent lines and wrinkles. Ageing can also cause dryness of the lips and hence it is important to supply your body with adequate amounts of this vitamin. Vitamin E is also present in many skin care products.
Diet for Chapped Lips
Much like the skin on the rest of the body, the lips also must be kept hydrated. Here are some dietary tips which help in relieving cracked and chapped lips.
- Ensure an adequate intake of water and other fluids on a daily basis.
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet comprising of a variety of different foods. The body requires a steady supply of several vitamins and minerals in order to stay healthy. Consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as these are rich in antioxidants. This helps to protect the body from the adverse effects of free radicals which affect the cells. In case you are unable to obtain all your nutrients from the diet, speak to your doctor regarding the intake of nutritional supplements.
- Vitamin A is an especially important vitamin for good health of the skin as it helps in repair and maintenance. You can obtain vitamin A from foods such as milk, apricots, carrots and milk.
- Vitamin C which is contained in citrus fruits and several vegetables helps to protect the body from sun damage and also aids in tissue repair. Vitamin C even increases collagen production and this makes the lips fuller and suppler.
- Nuts, leafy vegetables and eggs contain high amounts of vitamin E which helps to prevent lines and wrinkles. Ageing can also cause dryness of the lips and hence it is important to supply your body with adequate amounts of this vitamin. Vitamin E is also present in many skin care products.
