Chapped lips are not a serious medical concern.
However, these can cause pain, discomfort and embarrassment.
This condition, which refers to dry, scaly and sore lips, can make it difficult to talk, eat or drink [1].
It occurs because the lips do not have any oil gland, and that they are constantly exposed to natural elements like dry air [1].
Mayo Clinic recommends the use of a lubricating balm or cream with sunscreen to prevent moisture loss.
Other than this, here are some quick solutions to this common skin problem.
11 Ways to Get Rid of Chapped Lips Naturally
1. Petroleum Jelly
A combination of mineral oil, paraffin and microcrystalline wax, petroleum jelly is an age-old beauty secret that women have been using since the early years.
Not only does it keep the skin moisturized, it can also efficiently treat minor skin injuries such as wounds, scratches and cuts.
When it comes to chapped lips, experts say that one of the quickest ways to treat this condition is to protect the lips against dry air and at the same time, lock in moisture.
Petroleum jelly is an effective emollient that can do all these and more for you.
Several studies have shown that natural emollients such as petrolatum help establish a barrier against dry air, preventing skin from drying out [2, 3].
According to a study featured in the Journal of the German Society of Dermatology, the use of petroleum jelly can help in the restoration of skin elasticity, boost skin hydration, and prevent skin itchiness [3].
What You’ll Need:
- 1/8 teaspoon of honey
- 1/8 teaspoon of petroleum jelly
- 1/4 cup of warm water
Recommended Directions:
- Apply a thin layer of honey on your lips.
- Let it sit for five seconds.
- Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly.
- Dip a cotton ball in warm water.
- Remove mixture on the lips with the cotton ball.
- Do this remedy twice a day for one to two weeks.
2. Water
Do you know how dangerous dehydration is?
The body requires water to function properly.
Other than fluids, it also needs the electrolytes from fluids for bodily processes to be carried out normally.
When the body loses more fluids than it takes in, the body is put in danger.
WebMD says that dehydration is also one of the most common causes of chapped lips.
This makes it important for you to take sufficient fluids throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated and your lips moisturized.
Water is indeed one of the quickest remedies for this problem.
What You’ll Need:
- 8 glasses of water
- Slices of fruits
Recommended Directions:
- Drink eight glasses of water throughout the day.
- Do this everyday.
- If you don’t like the bland taste of water, try adding slices of fruits to make it more delicious.
3. Jojoba Oil
Here’s an interesting fact about jojoba oil: it’s the only oil in the world that’s very similar to the human sebum.
Sebum refers to the substance that’s produced by the skin’s oil glands.
Actually, jojoba oil is not really an oil but more of a liquid plant wax extracted from a nut of a shrub commonly grown in America.
It’s no wonder this oil is a popular ingredient in natural products for skin and hair care.
Apart from treating skin disorders and injuries such as psoriasis and sunburn, it can also be used to put an end to chapped lips.
Jojoba oil is in fact one of the best natural moisturizers that can help keep skin soft and supple [4].
It is an excellent solution for chapped lips as it can prevent lips from becoming dry, thanks to its skin-softening properties [5].
Naturally emollient, jojoba oil can help seal moisture in the lips and stop it from escaping.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/8 teaspoon of jojoba oil
Recommended Directions:
- Apply liberally on your lips.
- Repeat several times a day.
4. Sugar
It’s true that sugar has been declared a number of times as a health villain.
We’ve been told to stay away from sugar as much as we can to avoid chronic ailments like diabetes.
However, it’s a different story when it comes to skincare.
Sugar is a natural exfoliant that scrubs out the dead skin cells to leave your skin fresh and rejuvenated.
With its fine texture, it can do this without leaving residue to clog the pores and cause skin problems.
Topical application of sugar is another brilliant solution for dry lips.
The Huffington Post reports that as a natural exfoliant, sugar can therefore get rid of the dead skin cells on top of the lips.
Moreover, it is also a great humectant that can draw and lock in moisture inside the lips to prevent it from drying out.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Recommended Directions:
- Combine honey and sugar.
- Rub mixture gently on your lips.
- Rinse off with lukewarm water.
- Do this three to four times a week to treat chapped lips quickly.
5. Honey
If people warn you against sugar, honey on the other hand is recommended for various uses for the health.
This by-product of bees is loaded with vitamins, minerals, trace enzymes and amino acids that work well in combating bacteria, fungi, and the cellular damage caused by free radicals.
For those who suffer from chronic coughing, honey is an excellent solution that’s even more effective than over-the-counter medications.
It has many other amazing benefits such as for treating wounds and burns, aiding in sleep, alleviating energy and boosting energy levels.
Honey has also been used by the earliest civilizations not only for its therapeutic effects but also for dermatological purposes [6].
It is a popular ingredient in many skincare products including lip ointments due to its emollient, soothing and humectant properties [7].
A few studies indicate that the presence of honey in lip balms and other lip products make them more effective in sealing moisture [8, 9].
In a clinical trial published in the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 30 female patients with cracked lips used for two weeks a lip balm that included honey as one of the key ingredients [9].
Results show that the lip balm worked in retaining moisture in the lips, and preventing cracking and dryness [9].
What You’ll Need:
- 1/8 teaspoon of honey
- 1/8 teaspoon of glycerin
Recommended Directions:
- Combine two ingredients.
- Apply mixture on the lips.
- Leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Wipe off with a towel.
- Do this once a day.
6. Coconut Oil
Throughout history, coconut oil has been used for its numerous health benefits.
As it contains natural saturated fatty acids, it can help lower the bad cholesterol and at the same time, increase the good cholesterol in the bloodstream.
By doing so, it can help in reducing the risk of heart disease.
For the skin, it also has a wide variety of positive effects.
Coconut oil is another natural emollient that keeps the skin smooth by filling in the gaps between skin flakes [10].
It helps resolve many types of dry skin problems including chapped lips.
It does so by establishing a powerful “epidermal barrier function” to prevent excessive water or moisture loss in the skin [11].
What You’ll Need:
- 1/8 teaspoon of coconut oil
Recommended Directions:
- Apply coconut oil on the lips.
- Do this several times a day for one to two weeks.
7. Almond Oil
Don’t you just love snacking on almonds?
Once you get started, you can’t get yourself to stop.
Derived from almonds is an oil that’s rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, proteins, potassium, zinc and many other vitamins and minerals.
This oil, which is used in the Mediterranean regions and in Southeast Asia, is an excellent remedy for the skin and hair.
In fact, it’s another effective solution for dry and sore lips.
This oil, which has also been used as an alternative medicine for years, is known for its skin rejuvenating properties [12].
It is one of the herbal remedies that can efficiently hydrate the skin and at the same time, restore its viscoelasticity properties [13].
Almond oil is what you need to apply on your lips to prevent it from drying and chapping.
What You’ll Need:
- 3 to 5 drops of almond oil
Recommended Directions:
- Apply almond oil on the lips several times a day.
8. Castor Oil
Have you tried using castor oil on your skin?
If you haven’t, it’s about time that you try it.
It’s true that it’s often overlooked when it comes to skincare.
It usually takes a backseat to coconut oil, jojoba oil and olive oil, but what many do not know is that this oil is packed with skin beneficial vitamin E, proteins, omega 6, omega 9, minerals, and ricinoleic acid, among many others.
In a study conducted in St. John’s University, it was shown that castor oil is among the natural ingredients that can decrease transepidermal water loss [14].
As researchers emphasize, proper hydration is important in the maintenance of skin smoothness and elasticity [14].
Using castor oil on your lips can therefore prevent water loss and in turn, skin dryness.
This explains why this oil is also an efficient solution for dry and chapped lips that you want to get rid of once and for all.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 teaspoon of castor oil
- 1 teaspoon of glycerin
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Recommended Directions:
- Mix castor oil, glycerin and lemon juice.
- Apply on your lips at night before sleeping.
- The next day, wash off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat everyday for one to two weeks.
9. Aloe Vera Gel
Dubbed by Greek scientists as the “universal panacea” since 2,000 years ago, aloe vera is touted worldwide for its health and beauty benefits [15].
For centuries, aloe vera has served these purposes in Greece, China, Egypt, India, Japan and Mexico [15].
In fact, historical records show that it was used by Christopher Columbus and Alexander the Great in treating the wounds of their soldiers [15].
The gel that can be extracted from the aloe vera leaf contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes, saponins, amino acids and salicylic acids [15].
Its valuable use in the treatment of dry skin conditions has also been demonstrated in various studies [16, 17, 18].
In 2003, researchers from Chicago, USA conducted an experiment involving 30 female with dry skin on their hands [16].
The individuals were asked to use an aloe vera glove only on one hand for eight hours a day for 30 days [16].
There was a 90 to 100 percent rate of improvement in the aloe vera treated hand after 10 days [16].
The use of this herbal solution can immediately heal dry lips.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 aloe vera leaf
Recommended Directions:
- Break off the leaf.
- Squeeze it to release gel.
- Apply gel on the lips.
- Do this everyday.
10. Olive Oil
As it is a good source of monounsaturated fats, olive oil is praised for its ability to lower heart disease risk and assist in maintaining proper levels of blood sugar and cholesterol.
These fatty acids added with phenolic compounds make olive oil a frequently used raw material in cosmetic products [19].
In a 2009 study published in the Clinics in Dermatology Journal, it was revealed that olive oil is one of the ingredients used for a natural treatment for dry skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
For chapped lips, it can also work wonders by locking in moisture.
It’s a sure way to get rid of chapped skin, and give you soft and kissable lips that you’ve always wanted.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 3/4 teaspoon of honey
Recommended Directions:
- Blend all ingredients.
- Put in a small glass jar.
- Apply solution regularly on the lips everyday.
11. Lavender
Lavender is commonly used in soaps and other skincare products, which is only apt as its name is derived from a Latin word that means “to wash” [21].
People love it for its fragrance, and the plethora of wonderful things that it can do not only for your skin but also for your physical health and emotional well-being [21].
Inhalation of lavender oil has been proven many times in scientific research as effective in alleviating anxiety, depression, fatigue, and insomnia [21].
Aromatherapists also use this oil to relieve painful conditions [21].
Apart from all these, lavender can also be used to soothe lip dryness and chapping.
What it does is to keep dry skin moisturized to prevent it from flaking.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 drops of lavender oil
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil
Recommended Directions:
- Dilute lavender oil in carrier oil.
- Put oil blend in a jar.
- Shake well.
- Apply oil mixture on your lips.
- Repeat three to four times a day until chapped lips are cured.
Wrapping Things Up
Bring back the moisture on your lips with these proven home remedies for chapped lips.
All these are effective in healing chapped lips, and keeping the skin from drying out.
Feel free to share your experience and feedback in the comment section.
