By Updated: 10/25/2019
Contents
I. Overview
Chapped lips often occur in winter, but for some people, this happens all year round. Be it winter or summer, their lips are always flaky, dry, or even cracked, which causes them pain and discomfort. Furthermore, as for women, chapped lips can prevent them from wearing their favorite lipsticks, causing their makeup to be incomplete and imperfect all the time. Regarding people in general, chapped lips may make them lose confidence when it comes to communicating with others. As listed above, chapped lips can affect people's lives in some aspects; therefore, this post will suggest some easy ways on how to treat chapped lips naturally at home for adults and babies. Continue reading this article on Beauty Talk to discover these natural ways and then find one way that is suitable for you and your lovers.
II. What Are Chapped Lips?
Dry lips are usually called chapped or cracked lips, depending on the condition of the lips. The term of chapped lips is generally used for dry lips condition that happens to a few people. However, for most people, this condition may lead to a more problematic form of chapped lips called cheilitis that can result in lips inflammation.
III. The Foods You Should Eat
1. Foods Contain Omega-3 Fats
Omega-3 fatty acids boost the process of replacing old skin cells and regulate the process so it can happen constantly. The fatty acids also fight against skin inflammation and help to avoid dry skin. Some of the foods that contain high omega-3 fatty acids are cold-water fish, such as halibut, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and salmon. Other rich sources of omega-3 that can be easily added to your daily meals are flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, or soybeans.
2. Foods Contain Vitamin A
Vitamin A protects the lips from pollutants, infections, and viruses that cause the lips to dry out. Some of the foods high in vitamin A are sweet potato, kale, carrots, beef liver, spinach, broccoli, butter, and egg yolks.
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3. Foods Contain Vitamin B3
Niacin is another name for this vitamin, and it supports moisturizing the lips. Any aching caused by cracked lips can be eased by supplementing this vitamin. It assists in the healing process by transferring and gathering nutrients, oxygen, and blood to the lips. Here are some foods high in vitamin B3: sunflower seeds, liver, avocado, mushrooms, chicken breast, and peanuts.
4. Foods Contain Vitamin B12
Another name for Vitamin B12 is Cobalamin. Dry, cracked lips can be treated by Cobalamin, as this vitamin has the power to heal and moisturize the lips. Some foods high in this vitamin are clams, mussels, oysters, crab, milk, and eggs.
IV. 8 Ways On How To Treat Chapped Lips Naturally At Home For Adults
1. Carrier Oil And Essential Oils
As we all know, oil is a substance often used for lubricants. Therefore, the top natural moisturizers and lubricants are carrier oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and almond oil[1]. These oils have many beneficial fatty acids that give your lips the oils they require to make them soft and kissable. Moreover, essential oils even prevent your lips from getting infections.
Process
To make this special mixture, you just need to blend 1-2 drops of essential oil and carrier oil you have and then apply the blend to your lips. Let it do the job. You can apply it two or three times during the day or apply it right before sleeping and leave it overnight.
Note: People can have a potential allergic reaction, so best to skin test first.
2. Honey And Vaseline
Honey is one of the best healing agents in nature, thanks to its antibacterial properties[2] [3]. Petroleum jelly or usually known as Vaseline is commonly utilized to soften and nourish the skin, saving it from the dryness and locks in all the oils to moisturize the skin[4]. By combining the two ingredients, we get a perfect mixture to heal chapped lips at home.
Process
- Put on a coat of honey on the lips.
- Put on a coat of Vaseline over it.
- Leave these on for 10-15 minutes.
- Use a wet wipe or a damp cloth to remove it.
- Repeat this daily for a week.
3. Rose Petals
Vitamin E in rose petals provides beneficial properties for the skin. They also help maintain the pinkish color of your lips. Furthermore, the lactic acid bacteria in milk[5] [6] helps remove dead skin cells on the lips. Apart from that, milk contains crucial fats, minerals, and other beneficial vitamins, all of which help moisturize and nourish dehydrated lips.
Process
- Steep the petals in milk for 2-3 hours.
- Lightly grind the petals to get a puree texture.
- Apply this blend to your lips.
- Leave it on for around 20 minutes.
- Rinse it off with cold water.
Do this daily in a week to get the best result.
4. Cucumber
Cucumber is well-known for its 90% water, so it can act as water transportation for the skin and body. Therefore, with the gigantic amount of water in fresh cucumber, it can help keep the lips moisturized. Moreover, cucumber contains many nourishing components that can improve the condition of the lips. Surprisingly, this vegetable has an abundant amount of vitamin C or called ascorbic acid. This acid speeds up the production of collagen, a protein that makes skin tissues more structured and supple. Furthermore, another agent is caffeic acid in cucumber has an antioxidant effect[7] [8] that helps fight against ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. In a nutshell, this commonly used vegetable turns out to be quite beneficial when it comes to healing chapped lips, as it moisturizes the lips, enhances lip plumpness, and fights against bad effects of the sun.
Process
Remedy 1
- Rub one cucumber slice gently on your lips for 1-2 minutes.
- Wait for about 10 minutes and then rinse it off with water.
Remedy 2
- Mash 1-2 cucumber slices.
- Apply the blend as a mask on your lips.
- Leave it on for about 10 minutes then wash it off.
- Repeat the remedy once or twice every day for the best result.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera not only helps to ease chapped lips, but it also gently removes dead skin cells on the surface of the lips. Besides, it increases the cooling effect on the skin[9] and supports the sheer protective layer on the lips.
In fact, Aloe vera is a humectant that helps to moisturize the skin[10]. For that reason, when applied to dry, flaky lips, the hygroscopic mechanism of aloe vera will act as a magnet for attracting all moisture to the lips.
Process
- Cut the aloe leaf along the side and scrape its gel into a container (with a sealed lid).
- Put the gel on your lips and leave it on during the night.
- Store the left-over gel in a sealed container. Keep the gel in cool temperature if you live in a hot and humid climate.
- Apply the gel overnight frequently.
6. Cocoa Butter
As the lips are highly vulnerable to environmental factors such as dry, cold weather and the sunlight. Cocoa butter – a fatty substance obtained from cocoa beans – helps improve the situation by moisturizing your dry, chapped lips[11] [12]. The soothing properties in cocoa butter help strengthen the protective barrier by providing and maintaining the moisture in the lips. Apart from that, cocoa butter contains antioxidants such as vitamins E, C, and A, which can help slow down the aging process. In fact, cocoa butter and shea butter contain essential fatty acids that nourish dry lips.
Process
- Put an efficient amount of either cocoa butter or shea butter on your lips
- Leave it on during your sleep.
Repeat this daily for a couple of days.
7. Sugar
Sugar is proven to be one of the top natural exfoliants, which helps to remove dead skin cells without side effects[13]. Therefore, using sugar to scrub your lips will eliminate the dry, peeling layer on your lips. Therefore, the lips will turn out to be soft and smooth. Also, this method brings back the original color of your lips, as it boosts blood circulation to the lips.
Note: It must be good quality, slightly large-grained sugar.
Process
- Mix sugar, olive oil, and honey to make a paste.
- Put this paste on your lips and rub it gently in circular motions.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Do this scrub one or two times per week.
8. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla is a widely known remedy to heal cuts and injuries; that's why it is used in the list of ways on how to treat chapped lips. Besides, this extract is a rich source of B-vitamins such as thiamin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, and niacin, all of which help to maintain strong and flawless skin. Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of the vanilla extract protect your skin from harmful environmental elements.
Process
- Mix 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil or olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
- Put a small amount of it on your lips.
- Gently rub it on your lips for about 1 minute
- Rinse it off with water
You can store the lip scrub in an airtight container and use it for a maximum of 7 days. Repeat this process once every 3-4 days.
V. How To Treat Chapped Lips Naturally At Home For Babies
Breastmilk
Breastmilk is proven to be the natural thing for babies that a mother owns. In this case, it is a treatment for their chapped lips! Leave the lips area of the baby wet with a little breastmilk, without smearing it. The breastmilk will heal and shield the baby lips from harmful bacteria. Alternatively, you can also delicately put some breastmilk on the baby lips with your small finger to treat their chapped lips.
VI. When To See The Doctor?
If you have been treating your chapped lips for 4 or 5 days, and they are getting worse, or you have noticed open cracks and yellow discharge, you might develop an infection. Remember to see a dermatologist or a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment for the issue.
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Above are the top 9 ways on how to treat chapped lips naturally at home for adults and babies. If you want to know more about the natural treatments for other health condition, please visit our Health page. Feel free to leave your comments in the form below to show us your thoughts.
