Chapped lips, also referred to as dry lips, which occurs when the lips aren't properly moisturized or due to certain illnesses. There are a number of external factors that can cause your lips to crack and peel. Here are a few of the most common causes and symptoms:
Causes:
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Excessive Licking of Lips
• Cheilitis
• Exposure to Sun
• Allergic Reaction
• Smoking
• Kawasaki Disease
Symptoms:
• Redness
• Dryness
• Swelling
• Flaking
• Sore Lips
• Cracking
• Bleeding
10 Natural Remedies to Treat Chapped Lips:
1) Honey - Honey can cure almost anything, including chapped lips. Honey acts as a natural lip balm and moisturizes your lips with its powerful antibacterial properties. Dab a little honey on your lips a couple of times during the day, and an extra dose before bed to prevent chaffing.
2) Sugar - Sugar might not be great for your teeth, but it's certainly an effective treatment for chapped lips! The sugar helps exfoliate dead cells while restoring them back to their natural state. Here's a quick recipe on how to prepare a natural sugar lip balm:
How to Prepare It:
• Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with 2 teaspoons of sugar
• Apply the sugary sweet lip balm mixture to the damaged areas and allow it to sit for several minutes
• Gently rub the mixture around on your lips to loosen the dead skin cells
• Wash the mixture off with lukewarm water
3) Water - One of the most common causes of cracked lips is dehydration. It's extremely important to keep yourself properly hydrated during the day to prevent dry mouth. Try to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day. Make sure you carry a large water bottle when you leave the house, so you can stay fully hydrated no matter where you go.
4) Petroleum Jelly - A little Vaseline can cure those dry lips. The petroleum jelly moisturizes your lips and helps to repair the dead cells. Vaseline also lasts for a long time and comes available in tiny tubes that fit inside your pocket. Alternatively, you can also apply a bit of honey to your lips, wait for it to dry a few seconds, and add a light smear of petroleum jelly. Remove the substance with a cotton ball dipped in warm water.
5) Aloe Vera Gel - Aloe Vera is a multi-purpose skin treatment. It can be used to get rid of chapped lips as well. Place a small amount of the gel to the damaged lips a few times during the day. The aloe Vera keeps your lips fully hydrated, which allows the dryness to heal much quicker. The taste may be a bit unpleasant, but the results are worth it.
6) Coconut Oil - The minerals found within the coconut oil helps to moisturize the uncomfortable dryness, and softens the cracked areas of your lips. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply the coconut oil:
How to Prepare It:
• Mix a teaspoon of coconut oil together with a teaspoon of sea salt into a bowl.
• Apply the mixture all over the chapped lips, by gently using your fingers in a small circular motion.
• Continue the circular motion for about a minute, before rinsing with a warm washcloth
7) Castor Oil - Did you know that castor oil can actually be used to nourish and repair dry lips? Castor oil stops the peeling and works like magic too. Place a dab of the oil over the chapped lips, and cover it with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Glycerin may be used in place of Vaseline, and here's how to prepare the mixture:
How to Prepare It:
• Mix one teaspoon of castor oil, with a teaspoon of glycerin and a few drops of lemon juice into a small bowl.
• Apply the mixture over your dry lips before going to sleep, and wash it off in the morning with a cotton ball dipped in warm water. Repeat this treatment daily until your lips are smooth again.
8) Cucumber - Sliced cucumbers can reduce puffiness in the eyes, and work wonders for flaky or dry lips. Cucumbers are high in ascorbic acid, which stimulates the production of collagen. Here's how to prepare a cucumber lip balm to treat the chapped lips:
How to Prepare It:
• Take a small cucumber slice and gently rub it on your dry lips.
• Let the cucumber juice sit on your lips for around 15 to 20 minutes, and then wash your lips with lukewarm water.
• Repeat this process periodically throughout the day to allow your lips to heal quicker.
9) Rose Petals - Rose petals contain natural oils that provide instant relief against cracked lips. The natural astringent properties of the rose petals offer a soothing effect on the capillaries beneath the skin surface. They also give your lips a beautiful color, while kissing the dryness and inflammation good-bye!
How to Prepare It:
• Grab a handful of rose petals, and clean them thoroughly in water.
• Allow the petals to soak in milk for a few hours.
• Mash the petals in the milk until they begin to form a thick paste.
• Apply the paste to your cracked lips a few times per day, and every night before bed.
10) Milk Cream - The high-fat content found inside milk cream is used to eliminate chapped lips. Put a little milk cream on your dry lips, and let the thick heavy cream go to work for about 10 minutes or so. Gently wash your lips afterward with a cotton ball dipped in lukewarm water. Try adding a little lime juice for twice the relief and twice the nourishing benefit!
A Bonus Tutorial Video:
Cover image: Flickr / Symic
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