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With the arrival of winter’s chill, it is time for self-care, especially for dried, chapped lips. The cold air outside and the dry heating indoors combine to create conditions for lips to become dry, cracked, and painful. While there are many commercial products available, natural home remedies are effective at healing and protecting lips; and these gentle, healthy options use organic ingredients that may already be in the kitchen!
Chapped lips, medically known as cheilitis, occurs when lips' delicate skin becomes dry and irritated, according to WebMD. Unlike other skin on the body, lips lack protective oil glands and are especially vulnerable to environmental stressors like cold weather and dry air. Symptoms can range from mild dryness to burning, painful, cracking and, in some cases, bleeding lips.
Prevention is crucial for long-term lip health. To maintain soft, healthy lips, drink lots of water and avoid the urge to lick your lips as saliva increases dryness. Another tip is to create a protective barrier by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly on top of your natural treatment, recommends Business Insider. Here are five proven home remedies to restore and protect your dry lips.
Start with gentle exfoliation
Before any moisturizing treatment, proper exfoliation can significantly enhance healing. A simple lip scrub can be made at home by equal amounts of sea salt or sugar with honey or oil, advises Healthline. Gently massage this mixture onto your lips in a circular motion, then wipe off with a damp cloth.
Honey's healing touch
This sweet, golden remedy proves particularly effective for chapped lips, notes Business Insider. Honey has special humectant properties that draw moisture from the air into your lips. It also works as an exfoliator to remove the dead and dried skin. Honey’s natural antibacterial properties help prevent infection resulting from cracks in lips.
Apply a thin layer of organic honey before bedtime, allowing this ancient remedy to work overnight. Or, apply it during the day and wait half an hour before gently removing it.
Aloe vera's natural relief
Aside from being a home remedy for sun burns, aloe vera has impressive healing properties when it comes to lip care, according to Healthline. This plant's natural enzymes provide gentle exfoliation, while its anti-inflammatory compounds soothe irritation.
Apply aloe vera gel directly from the plant or use a pure aloe product two to three times daily. Limit use as it is a mild exfoliant.
Coconut oil's soothing protection
This versatile oil offers both moisture and protection, explains Business Insider. Applying organic coconut oil to dry lips creates an effective barrier and actively heals damaged lip tissue.
As it also has anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil is particularly effective for cracked lips, reducing discomfort while supporting natural healing processes. Its anti-bacterial properties offer protection from open sores on chapped lips that could become infected. Simply apply a small amount throughout the day whenever dryness occurs.
Amazing avocado butter
Consider using avocado butter for chapped lips, suggests Healthline. It offers excellent emollient properties that deeply moisturize without feeling greasy. Avocados also contain antioxidants and fatty acids that help heal skin.
For best results, apply a small amount of organic avocado butter throughout the day as needed. Or, place organic avocados in a food processor and make your own avocado butter!
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