Nobody likes to suffer from chapped lips. While it’s not particularly life-threatening, chapped lips can make us feel embarrassed when we are out and about. Or imagine a situation where you’re on a date night or attending an important meeting with your client… and you might give people a bad impression because of your visible chapped lips. While a chapstick or a lip balm does come in handy, these commercial products might inflict more damage than cure. Alternatively, why not give some of these 8 home remedies a try to get rid of your chapped lips?
1) Honey
Honey isn’t just a home remedy for sore throats, coughs and colds. This natural sweetener also benefits for those who suffered from chapped lips. Thanks to its antibacterial and humectant properties, honey work by moisturising your lips. It has essential B-vitamins that help nourish your lips as well. So, the next time you have chapped lips, simply apply a dab of honey few times a day. If possible, use raw organic honey than commercial varieties for better results.
2) Sugar
So, you think sugar is just for sweetening your drink? Think again. Sugar actually helps exfoliate the dead skin cells and restore your lips to its original condition. All you have to do is mix some white or brown sugar (remember to use granulated, not coarse varieties) with one teaspoon of honey and make a paste. Apply the mixture gently on your lips and leave it on for a few minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and repeat this process at least twice a week for visible results.
3) Coconut Oil
Coconut oil doesn’t come cheap. But they are one of the best home remedies for treating chapped lips. It acts as both natural moisturiser and exfoliator to remove flaky dead skin cells and promote softer and suppler lips. Just apply some coconut oil on your lips few times a day to lock the moisture and prevent dryness. Since coconut oil is edible, you don’t even have to worry about accidental licking.
4) Aloe Vera
From treating minor skin problems to promote healthy digestion, aloe vera is a versatile plant that brings numerous benefits. Aloe vera is also good for chapped lips. It helps moisturise your lips while easing soreness and pain at the same time. Use an aloe vera leaf and slice it sideways to extract the gel into an airtight container. Apply the aloe vera gel gently on your lips on a daily basis before bedtime. You might need to get used to its unpleasant taste of the aloe vera gel upon application.
5) Cucumber
A cucumber contains a whopping 96% water content. Which is why it’s good to hydrate your lips. Just slice a cucumber and rub across your dry lips gently for few minutes, twice a day. Let the juice sit on your lips for at least 10 minutes before you wash it off with water.
6) Green Tea Bag
Most of us familiar with the health benefits of drinking a cup of green tea every day. But did you know that green tea also alleviates chapped lips as well? This is because green tea is packed with tannins, which helps minimise the pain from your chapped lips and promote healing at the same time. You can use a green tea bag — fresh or used — already dipped in hot water, lie down and place it on your lips for few minutes. Repeat this process once or twice a day until you see visible results.
7) Rose Petals
Rose petals contain natural moisturising and healing properties for chapped lips. Use a few rose petals (the fresh ones, of course) and wash them in clean water. Then, soak them in milk or glycerin for few hours. Blend and mash them altogether to form a thick paste. Apply the paste to your cracked lips few times a day, as well as prior to bedtime. Rinse it off with water.
8) Castor Oil
Here is another essential oil for treating chapped lips. Castor oil contains beneficial properties that help moisturise and rejuvenate your lips. You can apply a thin layer of castor oil to your chapped lips and cover it with petroleum jelly a.k.a. Vaseline. Alternatively, you can mix castor oil with few drops of honey, lemon juice and glycerin to form a mixture. Apply them on your lips and let it sit for few minutes before rinsing it off with water.
