Chapped Lips Making You Cranky? Lip Service: Chapped Lips Remedy
The coming cold weather can be very hard on all parts of your body. Faces flake, hair dries, hands redden, and feet crack. And for young girls especially, lips chap. Just as the harsh winds whip and the humidity plummets, we figure the time is right to offer some chapped lips remedy advice.
Chapped lips are caused by overexposure to wind, sun, or dry conditions in any season, but winter is especially problematic. Lips are vulnerable since they have an extremely thin outer layer. They retain less moisture than other parts of the body, so they tend to dry out quicker. The automatic remedy when your lips feel like the desert is to lick them. Unfortunately when the saliva evaporates, they'll feel even worse.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the best chapped lips remedy for your aching lips is to first protect them from the elements.
- Apply an unflavored lip balm with sunscreen wherever you go. Petroleum jelly, Vitamin E oil, aloe vera gel, or even a skin moisturizer will work to keep your lips greasy and properly moisturized, and prevent them from drying out. Emollients like lanolin, oils of any kind, shea butter, and vitamins are other useful ingredients to look for in a lubricating balm. Slick it on often during the day.
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
- Another chapped lips remedy is to wear scarves or jackets that block the wind from getting to your lips.
- Ask your parents to invest in a humidifier to moisturize the air in your home after they turn on the heat. Everyone's skin is happiest when the relative humidity in your house is 50% or higher.
- If you wear lipstick, make sure it's glossy; matte lipstick tends to dry out your lips. Before applying your lipstick, dab on a very small amount of lip balm or petroleum jelly.
- If your lips are badly chapped, remove the dead skin by rubbing a wet, warm washcloth over your lips to gently loosen the flakes. You may need to do this more than once as your lips heal.
- To keep your lips smooth and soft, slather on a bunch of petroleum jelly, then use a toothbrush, in a circular motion, to massage your lips. Wipe the excess off with a tissue.
- Avoid flavored lip balms. They can be more fun and certainly taste better, but they also give you an excuse to keep licking your lips, making them wear off quickly and are not a good chapped lips remedy. Choose one with all natural ingredients; pure vegetable oils and butters with beeswax provide a safe barrier. Coconut oil is mild and soothing, and coconut butter is rich and creamy; both are perfect for the lips.
- Medicated lip products sound good, but they usually contain menthol, peppermint oil, or other additives that can further irritate your lips. Be sure to read the ingredients on the side of the tube before you buy one.
- Avoid anything that's drying. That includes long hot baths and showers, deodorant soaps, and any product or cleanser that contains alcohol.
