Chapped lips are one of the most common complaints when the cold comes. Your chapped lips can come in different forms from dry, cracked, flaky, to sometimes even bloody. This happens because the skin on the lips is thinner, more delicate, and more exposed than the skin on the rest of the body. There are many factors that can affect the health of your lips. Because the skin of the lips is so thin, it can easily be affected by sun exposure and dry air. In addition, your saliva can also cause chapped lips, so constantly licking your lips will only add to the problem. Health conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as certain medications can also cause your lips to become chapped.
Now onto the good news! There are many ways to treat and even prevent chapped lips, so you can actually have supple and pillow-soft lips year-round. Here, we will break down all the tips and tricks you should follow to make sure that your lips look and feel fabulous all the time!
Tip #1: Stop licking your lips.
As previously mentioned, saliva is one of the biggest factors that contribute to chapped lips. If your lips are already cracked, chances are you are tempted to lick them to relieve the uncomfortable feeling of dryness. However, it is very important that you avoid doing so because you will only be making them worse! If you are not currently experiencing chapped lips, try to still be conscious about not licking them in order to prevent drying them out.
Tip #2: Hydrate.
Ultimately, chapped lips are just dry lips. Therefore, if you are not hydrating properly, your lips will inevitably pay the price. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is the key to staying hydrated. It is not only great for your whole body, but it can help prevent and relieve cracked lips.
Tip #3: Apply lip balm.
If you are hydrating and avoiding licking your lips, chances are that your chapped lips will heal on their own in a couple of days. However, using a lip balm can help speed the process. Lip balm formulas usually combine oils and waxes which serve as a protective seal on the skin. There are many good lip balms on the market to choose from. Or if you’re looking for a 3-in-1 try our Radiant Lipgloss; the vibrant color pigments give you the coverage of a lipstick along with the high shine finish of a gloss, and the hydrating benefits of a moisture-rich serum keep your lips looking soft and smooth.
Tip #4: Gently exfoliate your lips.
If lip balms don't seem to be working, it is probably because the damaged layer of the skin is preventing the healing ingredients from properly penetrating. To fix this, you can gently exfoliate your lips. Lip scrubs are usually made with a sugar base and are great at removing all the dead and dried-out skin from the lips. The good news is we are launching our next product, the Radiant Lip Scrub which will leave your lips feeling pillow-soft! Use your finger to massage your lips with it until your lips feel nice and soft, and remove the excess. Over scrubbing can also dry out the lips, so make sure to only exfoliate when needed.
Tip #5: Protect your lips from the sun.
Sun damage is another huge factor that contributes to cracked lips. In order to protect your lips from the sun, try to look for products that contain SPF. There are many treatments on the market that have it, but if your favorite doesn't, don't worry- you can always apply a thin layer of your regular sunscreen on your lips under your other lip products. Whatever you chose, make sure to make it a habit and apply it every day.
Tip #6: Try natural remedies.
Just like there are many over-the-counter remedies for chapped lips, there are also many natural alternatives. Kitchen ingredients such as aloe vera, coconut oil, cucumber, honey, and green tea all have healing properties that can help moisturize and soothe chapped lips. In fact, coconut oil, honey, and aloe vera also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help prevent infection. We specifically chose ingredients that provide anti-inflammatory properties in our Radiant Lipgloss such as Acai Berry and Kpagnan Butter. See our Ingredient list here.
Tip #7: Avoid smoking and drinking.
Lifestyle choices can also affect the health of your lips. Alcohol is extremely dehydrating, and therefore will cause and worsen the condition of chapped lips. As for smoking, cigarettes have a lot of chemicals that can not only irritate your lips but also suck moisture out of them.
Tip #8: Know which ingredients to avoid.
Just as there are many ingredients that are great for your lips, there are also ingredients that you should avoid. If your lips are already chapped, make sure to steer clear from using lip products containing camphor, eucalyptus, lanolin, menthol, phenol, and salicylic acid. These ingredients can further dry and irritate the skin on your lips. We can proudly say that none of those ingredients are included in our products.
Tip #9: Protect your lips from cold weather.
If the reason for your chapped lips is the fact that the weather is dry and cold, there are a few things you can do to make them better. First, consider turning on a humidifier at night. This is a great way to add some moisture into the air and avoid making your chapped lips worse while you sleep. If you are spending a lot of time outside, wearing a scarf over your mouth can help shield your lips from the dry air.
Tip #10: Know when to see a dermatologist.
If you follow the steps previously mentioned, chances are that your chapped lips will heal within a couple of days. However, if you notice that your lips are not getting any better after 2-3 weeks, you should consider making an appointment with a dermatologist. Chances are that your cracked lips are a result of dry weather, but there is also a possibility that they are a sign of a health condition or a reaction to a medication. Therefore, it is better to consult with a professional just to be safe.