20 Ways To Get Rid of Dry, Chapped Lips

Aloe vera gel is a natural remedy for dry and chapped lips. The gel contains minerals and antioxidants which help to recover damaged skin and give a protective barrier against further injury.

Use a small amount of fresh aloe vera gel directly from the plant in the lips and wait for a minute till the lips absorb. Applying aloe vera gel hydrates the lips and boosts the healing process, by making your lips smooth and soft.

Applying honey for dry lips is a better and simpler way to improve dry and chapped lips. Honey acts as a natural humectant that helps to draw moisture in the skin. Moreover, honey can also heal damaged tissues in the body which can be beneficial to recover the affected lip cells.

The properties in honey like antioxidant and antibacterial help to defend against a lot of problems naturally. Applying a small amount of honey for 10-20 minutes and rinsing off with lukewarm water for a day results in healthy and smooth lips.

You can mix honey with beneficial olive oil, or coconut oil, which enhances the moisture as well as nourishes your lips.

Shea butter and cocoa butter contain more moisture. The mixture is rich in vitamins and fatty acids. It brings back the skin’s natural color. Take a mixture of shea butter and cocoa butter and gently rub into the lips.

When the butter melts, lips easily absorb it. Apply the mixture multiple times a day before going to bed. Continue using the mixture to reduce cracking and bring smoothness and softness to the lips.

Green tea contains polyphenols which help to lower inflammation. They are very rich in minerals. Keep the green tea bag in warm water and slowly rub it on the lips daily. Green tea maintains the softness and removes the excess dry skin from the lips. Taking green tea every day is the best home remedy for dry skin and chapped lips.

The anti-inflammatory property of the hot teabag reduces redness and skin irritation. Regular use of these techniques can regain the moisture and smoothness of the lips.

Using Virgin coconut oil is one of the ways to preserve moisture in in any parts of the body. It contains various types of properties that are rich in fatty acids. It helps to maintain moisture and repair the dead skin of the lips.

Use a little amount of virgin coconut oil on the lips before going to bed. The oils have natural properties to protect the lips from unwanted damage and make the lips glow and smooth.

The mixture of rose petals and milk is best for discoloration and dark patches on the lips. Take around 6 petals of rose, and ½ cup of milk, soak the petals in milk overnight, and mix them. Apply the paste of the petals and milk to the lips and rest for 15-20 minutes than rinse off with the water.

The oils and sugars in the petals help to moisturize your dry lips. The colors of the petals will be absorbed by the lips and give color to the lips by making them smooth and soft.

Papain enzymes in the papaya help to exfoliate the dead cells from the body. Whereas, honey helps to absorb and keep moisture in the human body. When they are mixed, it can be a good remedy for dry and chapped lips and skin as well.

Take a small piece of papaya and 1 spoon of honey and smash it. Apply the mixture to your lips and hold it for 20 minutes. After that, rinse off with warm water.

The mixture of honey and papaya helps to hydrate and recover your dry and cracked lips by making them soft and smooth.

Cucumber juice is one of the remedies for dry or chapped lips. It is naturally hydrating as it contains more than 90% of water. Not only water, the juice is packed with vitamins and minerals which can further help to smooth the skin of the lips.

Except for applying juice directly on your lips, you can also take a sliced cucumber to rub it gently over the affected area. Using cucumber juice every day helps to keep lips moist and keep them soft and smooth.

Yogurt and Kiwi also help to heal the chapped lips. It is a simple and effective way to remove dead skin on the lips.  Yogurt and kiwi make a great combination that helps to reduce the dryness and chapped of the lips.

Mix 1 teaspoon of kiwi and 2 spoon yogurts gently and use it on your lips for 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

The lactic acid contained by the yogurt removes the old skin cells and gives shine to the lips likewise, a kiwi contains vitamin C and antioxidants which help to repair the skin of lip's and hydration as well.

Ghee is also considered the old remedy for chapped and dry lips. It is one of the most secure and chemical-free lip balms. Fatty acids in the ghee hydrate the lip's skin and maintain moisture.

Apply ghee to the lips before going to bed and keep it overnight. With the daily use of ghee, its natural healing properties help to regain cracked skin and maintain hydration. In the long run, the application will make your lips soft and smooth and maintain moisture.

During winter people usually stay in the dry air for a longer period, which removes the moisture from the skin and the lips. For the proper moisture, do not stay in the dry air.

Drinking water during the winter will keep our bodies hydrated. People use humidifiers to add moisture back into the air to avoid cracks and drought on the lips and skin.

Exfoliate helps to grow new and healthy skin. You can use your toothbrush to remove dead skin by gently brushing the lips with warm water. Removing unwanted skin layers can make soft and smooth skin. 

You can make a paste by mixing sugar, honey, and olive oil and scrub your lips using your fingertips or a brush. Over exfoliating makes your lips dry and chapped so try to do it once or twice a week.

Avoid removing the unwanted skin, if they have open cuts and sunburn. Use lips balm after removing the unwanted skin.

Lip slugging is the process of applying a thick layer of jelly, cream, glycerin, and lip mask over the lip before going to bed. 

The process helps to absolve the moisture and create a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss during the night heals the crack and prevents dryness.

Good lip balm plays a vital role in absorbing moisture and provides softness and smoothness to the lips. Shea butter, sunflower oil, vitamin E, jojoba oil, etc in the lip balm helps to keep the lips moist. Moreover, lip balm also helps protect against sunburn and harmful UV rays.

Applying a lip balm every two hours helps to maintain the lips. Continue using lip balm helps to maintain the proper moisture in the lips and prevents chaps and dryness.

Smoking cigarettes can ruin the appearance of lips. The chemicals in the cigarettes like nicotine lead to dry and cracked lips. As a result, people who smoke frequently seem to have wrinkles around their mouths and darkened lips.

It's best to avoid smoking to manage the overall condition of your skin and lips. For nicotine-addicted individuals, visiting a nicotine replacement therapist and getting support from cessation can help them quit smoking habits. Your simple step towards quitting smoking can help your lips become less dry and more supple.

Spicy and salty foods are the opponents of healthy lips. These foods can irritate your lips and cause dryness and chapping. These types of food can absorb the moisture away from your lips which causes dehydration.

To avoid this circumstance, try not to consume foods, that are overly spicy and salty. When avoided completely, moisture in the lips is maintained resulting in smoothness.

Lack of water causes dry, chapped lips. Drinking water helps to maintain moisture of overall body cells. Drinking around eight glasses of water a day can be a perfect way to keep your body and lips hydrated. Furthermore, you can add a slice of lemon and cucumber as well for soft and refreshing water.

Lipstick helps to protect your lips from different external elements like cold, wind, and pollution. Using excessive lipstick can cause lip cracks, dryness, hyperpigmentation, and burning. It is recommended not to use too much lipstick.

So, remove the lipstick very gently. You can remove lipstick with a lite cotton pad, and makeup remover very carefully. Scrubbing the lips can damage the skin of the lips which can chap and crack the lips. After removing you can apply lip balm to create moisture.

The simple step helps to keep the lips hydrated, soft, and smooth.

Lips biting or lips rubbing can make small wounds and swelling around lips. Moreover, it causes the lip's skin to crack. Biting, rubbing, and brushing your lips with your teeth or fingers should be avoided. 

It can also cause pain, and make lips dry as well as red. Instead of biting, rubbing, and brushing the lips, you can use a good lip balm that will soothe and help to recover your chapped lips.

Touching and licking the lips frequently can cause dryness and chapping of the lips. The saliva present in the mouth after getting in contact with the lips evaporates quickly by leaving the lips very dry. 

Irritation as well as bleeding may occur during that time. So, it is better not to touch your lips with your hands or tongue again and again. If you accidentally touch the lips, use lip balm which keeps moisturizing. Always try to maintain to recover your lips with natural moisture.

Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis, can be caused by various factors. Understanding these causes can help you take the right steps to prevent and treat this uncomfortable condition. Here are the most common causes:

1. Environmental Factors

External factors such as freezing temperatures, increased wind speeds, sun exposure, and indoor heating can dry out your lips. Cold weather and wind can strip moisture from your lips, while the sun's UV rays can cause damage even in cooler temperatures.

2. Lip-Irritating Habits

Bad habits like excessive licking, touching, or picking at your lips can worsen dryness. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier than before. To break these habits, try setting a timer on your phone to monitor how often you lick or pick at your lips. Being mindful of these actions can help you avoid them and promote healing.

3. Allergies

Contact cheilitis, an allergic reaction affecting the lips, can result from pigments in lipsticks, fragrances, and flavoring agents in foods. If you suspect an allergy, consult a dermatologist for patch testing to identify the specific irritant and avoid products containing it.

4. Deficiencies

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12, can cause chronically dry lips. If you suspect a deficiency, consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, which may include dietary changes or supplements.

5. Skin-Care Products

Everyday skin-care products can inadvertently cause lip irritation. Acne treatments containing acids or exfoliating agents can dry out the lips if they come into contact with them. Apply vaseline or balm to your lips before using these products to create a protective barrier and prevent dryness.

6. Smoking and Drinking

Smoking and alcohol consumption can significantly dry out your lips. Alcohol dehydrates the skin, while smoking exposes your lips to harmful chemicals that strip moisture. Caffeine can also contribute to dehydration. Reducing or eliminating these habits can improve the condition of your lips.

7. Medications

Certain medications, such as retinoids, chemotherapy drugs, and topical acne treatments, can cause dry lips. Hypothyroidism, acne, or high blood pressure medications may also contribute to dryness. If you suspect your medication is the culprit, consult your doctor for alternatives or additional treatments.