Lips are having very thin skin in the body and not having oil glands; they are easily prone to dryness. Not only seasons, but also a few harsh cosmetic products and sunlight, which act as the main culprits in causing dry lips. Dry lips may not seem to be a big issue, but sometimes it may indicate some medical condition. However, everyone’s dream is to get smooth, soft, and supple lips. It can be achieved through using good lip care products.
Symptoms of dry lips
Dry lips can also have the following symptoms:
- Cracks on lips
- Flaky skin on lips
- Swelling
- Redness
- Sometimes bleeding on lips.
Why do dry lips occur?
- It’s not only dry air or cold weather that causes dry lips; many factors contribute to getting dry lips. Even the harmful effects of sunlight and using cosmetic products.
- Lips have more contact with external things like food, temperature, and sometimes clothes.
- Dehydration, frequently licking the lip, yeast infection, and allergic reactions will dry out the lips.
- Vitamin B2 deficiency can also make lips dry. Test your blood to know about the status of your health and vitamin levels.
- The problems in the digestive system and gut health may reflect in your lips. When the body is unable to absorb the nutrients properly, it may cause chapped and dry lips.
- Many chemically formulated lipsticks start to dry out the lips. Matte finish and long-stay lipsticks remove the natural moisture in the lips and leave the lips dry.
- For women, pregnancy brings so many changes to them. Many pregnant women are getting dry lips and skin because of the fluctuations in the hormones.
What can contribute to dry lips?
Some ingredients are acting as a reason for causing dry lips.
- Lanolin
- Eucalyptus
- Flavours like mint, citrus, cinnamon, and peppermint may lead to irritation and dryness in the lips.
- Camphor
- Menthol
- Phenol (or phenyl)
- Fragrance
- Salicylic acid
- Propyl gallate
- Octinoxate or oxybenzone
How to protect dry lips naturally?
Following are some of the natural ingredients which work effectively on dry lips.
- Coconut oil acts as an emollient which assists to lock moisture in lips and works well for dry lips.
- Shea butter contains antioxidant properties which naturally helps to heal the lips and is widely used in lip balms.
- Honey has antibacterial properties which helps to heal and moisturize the lips.
- Almond oil is also an emollient which makes the lips more nourished and moisturized.
- Aloe vera has polysaccharides which helps to heal the sore lips and the lips remain hydrated.
- Bees wax naturally protects lips from dryness and locks the moisture in it.
What can help to heal a dry lip?
Lip treatment for dry lips starts with choosing good lip care products. It should be hypoallergenic and free from any fragrances. The following ingredients are highly effective for dry lips.
- Shea butter
- Castor seed oil
- Dimethicone
- Mineral oil
- Petrolatum
- Ceramides
- White petroleum jelly
- Sun-protective ingredients, such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide
- Hemp seed oil
While choosing a lip care product, ensure to note that the ingredients present in the product is skin friendly and shouldn’t cause any harm to lips. Using lip balms, lip serum, lip oil and lip butter helps to provide smooth and supple lips.
To protect the lips from dryness, it is necessary to include the following instructions and guidelines in your lifestyle.
Lip Balm
For cracked and dry lips, it is a better choice to choose lip balm with natural ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and natural oils, as it doesn’t further affect your dry lips. Always prefer to use non-scented lip balm. The wax-like consistency of the lip balm helps to retain the moisture and offer relief from chapped lips. Do take preventive measures before going out in the sun. You can use a lip balm with SPF 30 or above in order to protect the lips from the harmful effects of the sun. Choose the lip balm with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, as it works best for the lips. When you are outdoors, it is necessary to use lip balm for every two hours. Lip balm offers instant protection and relief to the lips during the dry or hard weather.
You need to care for your lips all year around according to the need. In winter, lips become dry, and using a lip balm can help the lips get rid of dryness. It is optimal to use lip balm before going out.
Lip Moisturizer
Generally, lip moisturizers focus on long-term care for lips; it helps to hydrate, nourish, and revitalize the lips. Lip moisturizer helps to control the moisture loss on lip in winter or cold temperature. It may contain carnauba wax, beeswax, lanolin, camphor, paraffin, cetyl alcohol and petrolatum. Lip moisturizer is good to use both during the day and before going to bed.
Lip Oil
Lip oil is non-sticky and lightweight which keeps the lips hydrated and provides nourishment to the lip. Lip oil can play a dual role in both skin care and makeup. Lip oil helps dry and flaky lips and combines the properties of both lip balm and lip gloss. Natural ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba and vitamin E makes lip oil more effective. Use lip oil, if your lips need moisture and hydration. It is optimal to use lip oil in the morning and night.
Lip Butter
Lip butter with hyaluronic acid makes the lips plump and soft. Most of the time lip butter is colourless and made with the extracts of fruits, plants and flowers, and essential oils. It prevents moisture loss in the lips and enriches the nourishment. Lip butter can be used to prep the lip before you start using your colour products.
Before using a lipstick, it is good to use lip balm, lip butter, lip oil or lip moisturizer, as they act as a protective layer for the lips.
Lip-lightening balm
Lip-lightening balms have the properties of both balm and scrub. The regular use of the balm reduces the pigmentation and lightens the lip.
Keep yourself hydrated
Drink enough water and always maintain the body hydrated, and it will prevent the lips from dryness.
Don’t lick your lips frequently
Most people have a habit of licking their lips frequently whenever they feel like having dry lips. It will have an adverse effect on the lips, and it makes the lips even more flaky and dry. Avoid licking your lips and start to apply a quality lip balm, which will act as a good solution for dry lips.
Do exfoliate the lips regularly
Dryness on the lips will lead to flaky lips. To remove the dead cells from the lips, gently exfoliate the lips. Exfoliation helps lip balm and lip moisturizer deeply penetrate into skin and protect the new skin.
Use humidifier
The humidifier helps to treat the issues caused by dryness, and it works well to treat dry and cracked lips. Use a humidifier in the bedroom when you are sleeping, and it will also be helpful for people who have the habit of breathing through the mouth.
Take nutritious food
A whole nutritious diet always makes your skin look healthy, so make sure to include nutritious, rich food in your daily life.
Conclusion
To have healthy lips, stay away and protect your lips from harsh products. Use lip care products which are made of more natural ingredients. Find time to care for your lips and make it feel fresh. Simple and effective home remedies, lip care routine and preventive measures will offer you soft, and supple lips. Define your lip’s beauty with little care. Cheers to healthy and nourished lips.