How to help chapped lips

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

In cold weather, chapped dry lips are one of the most common problems. Using chapstick or balm does help, but it's far from the only way to avoid cracking and chapping.

If the trouble has already happened, you need to act quickly, and here our advice will help you.

123RF / puhhha

Causes of chapped lips

The influence of the environment is very great when it comes to such a delicate part of the body as the lips. The biggest problems are dry air and temperature. Most of the time, lips are chapped in winter, but high temperatures can also cause moisture loss, which makes the skin of the lips soft and smooth.

The habit of licking your lips can also cause problems because the enzymes in saliva cause dry lips. Certain medications can also cause dryness and cracking, so if you are receiving treatment, check to see if the medications have a similar side effect.

Lip exfoliation

If you are determined to deal decisively with cracks and dry lips, you should start with exfoliation, then all subsequent hydration will go to nourish healthy cells, and not get stuck on dead tissue. If you suffer from painful deep fissures, exfoliating can be uncomfortable, but it is a must.

The easiest way to exfoliate your lips is to rub them with a damp toothbrush. It is important that the brush is not too hard and the movement is not rough.

Other simple recipes will work for your lips.

Brown sugar and olive oil. Mix a small amount of these ingredients to a paste, then apply to lips and massage gently in circular motions.

123RF / joannawnuk

Oatmeal and low-fat cottage cheese. Crush the flakes, mix with curd and massage onto lips.

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Here are some other lip peels you can make at home:

• mix coffee grounds with kefir or sour cream;
• mix honey and soda;
• mix honey and semolina;
• mix fine salt and cream;
• mix together fine sugar, cinnamon and grape seed oil.

Honey without the addition of other ingredients can be an excellent exfoliation (it is better to choose a slightly candied one). In addition, it not only removes dead skin particles, but also nourishes the lips thanks to its beneficial properties - more on that later.

If the cracks on the lips are too large, and even bleed, if there are sores or herpes on the lips, such peels should not be used.

Moisturizing lips

Even a simple warm water compress can help the lips regain lost moisture, but if the lips are in poor condition, it is better to resort to more powerful products, such as natural oils. It is best to mix castor oil, flaxseed oil, coconut oil and olive oil and apply a couple of drops of this product to your lips. Aloe vera gel perfectly moisturizes lips and perfectly heals cracks, but you should not apply it to deep wounds.

Honey, which we have already talked about, is an excellent antiseptic that also has moisturizing properties. When mixed with a drop of glycerin and orange juice, you have a wonderful deep moisturizer. However, do not use orange juice for cracked lips.

Remember to apply moisturizers throughout the day and before bed.

Moisturizing masks

Lip masks are good because they are easily prepared literally from improvised products that every housewife always has. They are quick to prepare, easy to apply, and the effect is noticeable and noticeable almost immediately.

123RF / Gennadiy Poznyakov

Here are some homemade mask recipes.

Grind your favorite fruit (apple, apricot or banana) into the gruel and mix with half a teaspoon of butter. Apply to lips for a few minutes (15-20), rinse with water.

Also for masks you can mix:

• cottage cheese and cream;
• cottage cheese and grated carrots;
• carrot juice and olive oil;
• sour cream, honey and orange pulp.

It is necessary to apply masks to the lips with a grip - about half a centimeter going beyond the contour.

What to avoid

The best way to speed up the healing of cracks is to avoid contact with irritants. Acid from food, especially freshly squeezed citrus juice, can cause discomfort in the same way as spicy foods. Other irritants to avoid include toothpaste, makeup, and even saliva if you haven't gotten rid of your lip-licking habit.

123RF / Roman Samborskyi

Use the right lip balm

Sometimes the right balm can be the best solution to dry and chapped lips. You should not use products containing camphor, it is better to prefer organic balms, they are less irritating to the skin and better help against dryness.

Using products with panthenol and lanolin is also a good choice, but if your lips are too sensitive, start with natural products.

And don't forget to choose foods that provide maximum sun protection.

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