Many people regularly suffer from dry and chapped lips, especially when faced with very high or low temperatures. This is a symptom that, although it may be mild, it is also possible that it generates intense pain and bleeding if there are wounds or fissures. In addition, the lips show a significant lack of hydration and look very dry, rough, and flaky, full of cracks and little skin. It is essential to pay attention to the care of the lips in the same way we do with other parts of the body because in many cases, the damage they suffer could be avoided through simple care and personal habits.
At FastlyHeal, we explain the causes of dry and chapped lips and which home remedies are the most effective to treat and hydrate them.
Dry lips: causes
Dry and chapped lips are, in most cases, a mild symptom that is caused by environmental factors or certain personal and care habits. However, they can also be associated with some underlying conditions or diseases.
Here are the leading causes of dry and chapped lips:
- Low temperatures: the cold and wind of the winter season are one of the main causes of chapped lips, and that is that, unlike other areas, their skin does not have natural oils that allow it to protect itself from these weather conditions. At these low temperatures, the skin of the lips loses water and, consequently, becomes weak.
- Sun: the UV rays of the excellent star also negatively affect the skin of the lips since they contain very little melanin and cannot thicken. UV rays can cause the appearance of cracks, burns, wounds, etc., on the lips if you expose yourself to the sun without adequate protection.
- Excessive exposure to air conditioners.
- Environmental factors, such as pollution or cigarette smoke, generate a series of toxic substances and free radicals harmful to the skin, including the lips.
- Allergic reactions to certain products such as lip balms, cocoas, lipsticks, etc.
- Dehydration: when the body does not have enough water to stay well hydrated, it is common for the skin to lose elasticity and the lips to appear dry and cracked.
- Get in the habit of biting or licking your lips frequently.
- Lack of vitamins, especially vitamins A, B, C, and E, are essential to keep the skin in perfect condition, including that of the lips.
- Tobacco and alcohol
- Consumption of certain medications can cause dry skin.
- Underlying diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes, etc. When chapped lips are not caused by any of the above factors, it is essential to consult with your doctor to determine the exact cause and initiate the appropriate treatment if more severe pathology is diagnosed.
How to heal dry and chapped lips
To heal dry and chapped lips and to be able to conserve the moisture of their skin, it is essential, first of all, to hydrate them correctly with the right products. These products, sold in pharmacies, are repairing lip balms that create a physical and biological barrier on the lips thanks to natural waxes or lipids that protect the skin of the lips and isolate them without preventing the cells from breathing correctly. Those contain ultra-repairing substances such as panthenol, oils, lipids, ceramides, glycerin, and vegetable butter.
In addition to the use of these products to hydrate dry lips, measures such as the following should be followed to prevent the skin in this area from being damaged again:
- Dehydration is, as we have pointed out, one of the leading causes of dry lips and their cracking excessively. This is why it is so important to increase your water consumption and keep your body well hydrated, drinking at least 1.5 to 2 liters a day. In addition, this can be complemented by taking other healthy liquids, such as natural juices and infusions; All this will prevent the skin from losing its elasticity and the lips from being damaged, presenting irritation, cracks, wounds …, or other conditions that affect their health and appearance.
- Protect your lips with lip moisturizers that have a sun protection factor of 15 or higher whenever you go outside and expose yourself to the sun’s rays.
- Exfoliate your lips at least once a week to remove accumulated dead cells and keep them soft. Do it gently and with the right products like the ones we show in the homemade lip scrub article.
- Follow a balanced daily diet that does not lack, above all, foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E.
- Avoid biting or licking your lips frequently, as saliva contains digestive enzymes that can damage and dry out your lips even more.
- Avoid the use of poor-quality lipsticks or permanent ones that have a long duration, as these favor the appearance of cracks on the lips. It is best to choose good quality cosmetics and pre-apply a balm or cocoa.
- Try to keep the air in your home moist by using a humidifier to prevent lips from drying out.
Home remedies for chapped and dry lips
There are also many home remedies for dry and chapped lips that can help you regenerate your skin and regain softness on your lips more quickly. Among those that will provide you with the best results, we find the following:
- Honey and Vaseline
- Aloe vera
- Olive oil
- Almonds oil
- Coconut oil
- Shea Manteca
Discover below how you should apply each of these natural remedies.
Honey and Vaseline for chapped lips
Nature gives us one of the best ingredients that we can have to hydrate the skin, including that of the lips deeply, and this is honey. In its composition, multiple essential vitamins and minerals allow the damaged tissues of the dermis to be rebuilt and regain moisture and elasticity lost in the lips. We also have to add the effects of its antiseptic properties, which are excellent for keeping the lips protected against external agents that could compromise their health.
In this case, we recommend a treatment that combines honey with petroleum jelly, a classic product to improve dry and chapped lips.
Treatment
- Apply a generous amount of honey to dry lips.
- Next, put on a good layer of petroleum jelly.
- Let the mixture work for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Repeat the procedure for a whole week, and you will see how you notice the difference instantly.
Aloe vera for dry and chapped lips
When the lips need more moisture and extra hydration that allows them to recover from extreme dryness, aloe vera or aloe vera can be, without a doubt, your best ally. This plant offers many beneficial properties for the skin of the lips, allows the damaged tissues to be regenerated entirely, and favors the healing of wounds, if any. Its antibacterial effects are also excellent for protecting the lips from possible infections. In short, it is a natural product with which you will be able to show off a healthy and prettier mouth again in a short time.
Treatment
- Cut an aloe vera plant at home if you have an aloe leaf.
- Apply the liquid inside it on the lips directly.
- If the previous option is not within your reach, you can also buy an aloe vera gel as pure as possible and place a little on the lips about twice a day.
Natural oils for parched lips
Dryness and dehydration on the lips can also be effectively combatted by applying natural oils, such as olive, almond, or coconut. You will only have to use a few drops of one of them on the lips to provide the tissues with the moisture they need. Here’s why they’re good home remedies for chapped and dry lips:
- Olive oil: contains essential fatty acids that repair damaged skin and provide hydration and many vitamins. In addition, the vitamins E and K have been magnificent in preventing the aging of the area from being treated.
- Almond oil: hydrates, deflates, and fights damage to the lips caused by the cold or the sun. The result is much more nourished and soft lips.
- Coconut Oil: It is a great natural moisturizer that contains high amounts of vitamin E and K and is perfect for relieving chaps that form on the lips.
Another option is to add a few drops of some of these oils to your lip balm to enrich its formula and multiply its effectiveness.
Lip balm with shea butter
Coming from the fruit of a tree in the African savannah, we find shea butter, an ingredient that has emerged as one of the best products to care for the skin naturally. It stands out for its incredible repairing, nourishing and moisturizing properties. When applied to the lips, it creates a protective barrier that prevents them from being excessively damaged by external aggressions or high and low temperatures. It also favors the healing of minor wounds and cracks that have formed.
Treatment
- Dab some store-bought shea butter on chapped lips.
- You can also prepare a lip balm based on this ingredient; you just have to melt 15 g of shea butter in a water bath, and when it is melted, add one tablespoon of olive oil and mix so that both ingredients are integrated. Let cool, and then you can hydrate your lips with this homemade preparation.
Honey and olive oil mask for dry lips
To finish this list of home remedies for dry lips, we recommend a mask that combines honey with olive oil, two of the most moisturizing and hydrating ingredients. In addition to hydrating and softening them, you will give them a beautiful shine.
Treatment
- Mix a little honey with a few drops of olive oil.
- Apply the mixture to the lips.
- Let it work overnight.
- The following day, rinse your lips with warm water.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Dry and Cracked Lips: Causes and Home Remedies, we recommend entering our Skin, Hair, and Nails category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.