Cracked lips or chapped lips are a common issue that can be seen at any time of the year. This could be due to the cold or dry weather in the winter, the harsh effect of the sun in the summer, or cosmetic products you used on your lips that dried and cracked them.
Cracked lips can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but they are a common problem, especially during the colder months. Fortunately, there are several natural remedies you can use to heal and prevent cracked lips. This article will guide you through effective, natural ways to get rid of cracked lips and keep them soft and smooth.
What is the reason for lips cracks ?
Understanding the Causes of Cracked Lips
Lip skin differs from other skin types in that it is thinner and more delicate, and it lacks an oil gland. Before diving into the remedies, it’s essential to understand the reasons behind cracked lips:
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can lead to dryness and cracking.
- Weather Conditions: Cold, dry, or windy weather can strip moisture from your lips.
- Frequent Licking of Lips: Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier than before.
- Allergic Reactions: Some lip care products contain ingredients that may cause irritation.
- Vitamin Deficiencies: Lack of essential vitamins like B vitamins, vitamin A, and C can lead to dry, cracked lips.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions like cheilitis, hypothyroidism, and diabetes can contribute to lip cracking.
There are several external factors responsible for dry and chapped lips. Cold or dry weather, sun damage, and frequently licking your lips are the common causes of cracked lips.
How can you get rid of cracked lips naturally?
Lip balms are a simple way to treat cracked lips, but there are also a number of home remedies or DIYs that can help.
Lips cannot produce moisture to moisturise themselves because they lack oil glands, but natural moisturisers can assist in moisturising them to achieve soft and smooth lips.
- Hydrate from Within
Drink Plenty of Water
One of the most common causes of dry, cracked lips is dehydration. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your lips hydrated from the inside out.
Eat Hydrating Foods
Include water-rich items in your diet, such as cucumbers, watermelon, oranges, and strawberries. These meals help keep your body hydrated and promote lip health.
- Use Natural Lip Balms
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a fantastic natural moisturizer. Use a small amount of coconut oil on your lips several times per day to keep them soft and nourished.
Honey
Honey has natural healing properties. Apply a thin layer of raw honey to your lips and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off. Repeat this process daily to heal and moisturize your lips.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its calming and restorative properties. Apply fresh aloe vera gel to your lips to reduce irritation and soothe and moisten the lips.
- Exfoliate Gently
Sugar Scrub
Make a light lip scrub with sugar and honey. To make a paste, mix one teaspoon sugar and a few drops honey. Apply this mixture to your lips in circular motions for a few minutes, then thoroughly rinse. This removes dead skin cells and promotes fresh skin growth.
Bakeing Soda Scrub
To make a paste, mix a tiny amount of baking soda with water. Apply this mixture to your lips to gently exfoliate and smooth them.
- Protect Your Lips
Use a Humidifier
If you live in a dry climate or spend a lot of time in heated indoor environments, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. This can prevent your lips from drying out.
Avoid Licking Your Lips
Licking your lips can actually make them drier. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving your lips more dehydrated than before. Use a natural lip balm instead of giving in to the urge to lick your lips anytime you feel like it.
- Apply Natural Oils and Butters
Shea Butter
Shea butter is an excellent natural moisturizer. Apply a small amount to your lips to keep them soft and prevent cracking.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that can help heal and protect your lips. Apply a drop of olive oil to your lips before bed to keep them moisturized overnight.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil closely resembles the natural oils in your skin. Apply a few drops to your lips to provide long-lasting hydration.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet
Increase Vitamin Intake
Ensure your diet includes plenty of vitamins, especially vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are essential for skin health and can help keep your lips soft and crack-free. Foods high in these vitamins include carrots, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and leafy greens.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your diet by eating foods like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds. These healthy fats help maintain skin hydration and elasticity.
What is the fastest way to heal cracked lips naturally?
There are several fast and effective natural home remedies for chapped lips. For a moisturising and soothing effect, apply these remedies directly to your lips.
Honey:
- Honey‘s highly moisturising properties aided in the quick healing of cracked lips.
- Apply honey directly to the lips and gently massage for some time. Then clean it. Do this 1-2 times a day.
Ghee:
- Every kitchen has ghee, which has greater healing power for cracked lips.
- Apply ghee directly on the lips and leave it. Do this at least once a day.
Aloe Vera:
- The gel from aloe vera leaves soothes and hydrates your lips.
- For best results, remove the inner gel from the leaves and apply it directly to the lips 2-3 times per day.
Coconut oil:
- The oil has the ability to soothe and moisturise cracked lips.
- Apply coconut oil with a cotton pad and gently massage the lips. For best results, apply coconut oil at night.
Can you use commercial lip balms for cracked lips?
While commercial lip balms can provide temporary relief, they often contain ingredients that can further dry out your lips. Natural remedies are a safer and more effective long-term solution.
How often should you exfoliate your lips?
Exfoliate your lips 1-2 times a week to remove dead skin cells and promote healthy skin regeneration.
By adopting these natural remedies, you can effectively manage and prevent cracked lips, ensuring your lips remain healthy and hydrated.
What can you do to prevent chapped lips?
Before proceeding with the treatment, we should consider chapped lip prevention, which includes the following:
- Don’t lick your lips
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid lip products that contain irritants like fragrance and colours
- Protect your lips
- Avoid breathing through your mouth
Video:Healing chapped lips by simple practices by a Dermatologist
FAQ’s
How can I get rid of chapped lips permanently?
You can permanently eliminate chapped lips by taking proper precautions against dry lips and using regular moisturizers. Because the lips lack an oil gland to moisturise themselves, we must care for them externally and drink plenty of water to ensure proper hydration of the body.
How to treat dry lips overnight?
Ghee and coconut oil are the common treatments for overnight results from dry lips. Apply ghee or coconut oil at night and leave it overnight for the best result.
How can I heal my cracked lips in one day?
Exfoliate your lips gently and apply a thick natural moisturiser like honey, ghee, or coconut oil to heal your cracked lips in a day.
You can also apply non-irritating lip balm for a quick result.
Conclusion:
Some people suffer from chapped lips only during the winter, while others suffer from it all year. Simple preventative measures and common natural remedies can help heal cracked lips and smooth them.
Getting rid of cracked lips naturally involves a combination of proper hydration, using natural moisturizers, gentle exfoliation, and maintaining a healthy diet. By following these tips, you can keep your lips soft, smooth, and crack-free all year round.
Save this pin to Pinterest for easy access next time!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the product links provided in this blog post. This implies when you choose to use the link, I might receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you.
Disclaimer: The only goal of all the content on greenspacelife.com is informational. It is not meant to replace any medical guidance, diagnosis, or treatment.
Also read:
- Lip Scrub: A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving Soft and Healthy Lips
- How to Fix Cracked Heels at Home in the Winter
Sources:
Greenspacelife’s articles are supported by high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- The efficacy of a lip balm containing pseudo‐ceramide on the dry lips of sensitive skin‐conscious subjects. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.12351
- 7 dermatologists’ tips for healing dry, chapped lips.
https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/dry-skin/dry-and-chapped-lips - Chapped lips: What’s the best remedy?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/expert-answers/chapped-lips/faq-20057819 - Review on natural lip balm.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301204451_Review_on_Natural_Lip_Balm - Honey: A therapeutic agent for disorders of the skin. https://doi.org/10.5195/cajgh.2016.241
- Using aloe vera has multiple benefits. https://www.bcm.edu/news/skin-and-hair/benefits-of-using-aloe-vera