Chapped lips: why do we have dry lips?

The lips are one of the parts of the body most exposed to external aggressions (cold, UV, pollution, etc.). Indeed, the lips are very sensitive because unlike the skin, they do not have a greasy film or melanin, this pigment produced by the skin cells which helps it protect itself from the sun’s rays. Lips dry out faster and more easily. It is therefore necessary to take special care of it.

Dry lips can be the result of too large a temperature difference. Switching from a heated interior to outdoors in winter will inevitably affect the lips. Contrary to what one might think, moistening your lips is not recommended because it will dry them out even more. Biting your lips is also a bad habit to be avoided if you want to avoid having chapped and painful lips..

Finally, some medications can dry out the lips. This is the case with certain products treating acne or even cortisone-based drugs.

How to properly hydrate your lips?

We cannot repeat it enough, but prevention is essential when it comes to beauty. The beauty of your lips and your skin, in general, depends on good hydration. To fight against dry lips, always have your lipstick handy, especially in cold seasons. Brush your lips and repeat this gesture as many times as necessary. When you are out in the sun or go skiing, take a stick with an SPF to protect you from UV rays.

Also, make sure you drink enough water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated properly. It is recommended to drink at least 1,5 liters of water per day. You can abuse tea or herbal teas of all kinds, to hydrate you but also to enjoy their benefits on the body. Food also plays an important role, which is why we must focus on fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits.

Chapped lips: grandmother’s remedies

Having chapped lips is not inevitable. Even with lips in terrible condition, some grandmother’s remedies can catch up!

Exfoliate dry lips to remove dead skin

In order to hydrate your lips properly, you can start by performing a sugar honey scrub once a week. Mix honey and sugar then gently massage your lips in circular motions. In addition to the exfoliating aspect of sugar, honey has moisturizing, healing, softening and anti-oxidant properties. Ideal for regenerating dry lips! Shea butter and vegetable oils (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, etc.) also work wonders on chapped lips.

Make a homemade lip care with lemon

To hydrate your lips and give them a boost, there’s nothing like a 100% natural homemade treatment. In a bowl, mix a teaspoon of crème fraîche with a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey. Apply this treatment to your chapped lips delicately, using circular movements, then leave on for a few minutes. Then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Balm with shea butter and sweet almond oil

To take care of your lips, you can make your own lip balm from natural products that are very effective for dry lips. To make your lip balm, start by melting 15g of shea butter in a double boiler, to which you will add a drop of lemon essential oil and 10ml of sweet almond oil. Mix the preparation and let it cool until it hardens. Store your balm in a small airtight jar that you have sterilized beforehand. You can apply this balm on your lips as soon as you feel the need. It can be stored for 3 months, away from heat and humidity.