Practically everyone knows the pain and agony of rough, dry, chapped lips. They ache, they burn and they cannot be easily relieved. This usually occurs during winter when the outside (and inside) air is dry and cold. Your lips get dry because of the lack of humidity or because of the wind drys out your lips and the only thing to do to moisten them is to lick them. The moisture left behind by the tongue evaporates quickly because of the dryness in the air or with the motion of the wind. It causes the lips to become irritated, to crack and even bleed and peel in some cases.
How do you prevent this from happening? There are several ways the to prevent and ease the pain of chapped lips:
- Apply vegetable oil to the lips several times a day.
- Wet lips 10 to 20 times a day with cool water for 30 seconds. Then apply a thick coat of petroleum jelly.
- Use a sunscreen on your lips. This might sound funny but your lips may become chapped because they are sunburned. That is why some people get chapped lips during the summer.
- If you normally wear lipstick make sure to apply it before and after you go outside during the winter. A creamy lipstick will prevent chapped lips.
- Drink more fluids. Dehydration can contribute greatly to getting chapped lips.
- Humidify your home or office in the winter.
- Rub a slice of cucumber on your lips. It will cool and ease the burning of chapped lips.
- Take vitamin B2 and brewer's yeast. Not only wind and cold cause chapped lips. Nutritional deficiencies do as well.
- Avoid using toothpaste as it dries out the lips. Use your toothbrush and baking soda instead.
- Apply tea tree oil or aloe vera juice to the lips.
- Use a commercial lip balm. Stay away from the flavored ones, however, as they are a temptation to lick off. They taste so good.
Try making your own lip balms. These recipes have come down from generation to generation and are still used today. You too, can make them as they work just as well today as they did in the past.
Beeswax and Honey Balm
Melt one and a half ounces of beeswax in a double boiler over hot water. You can also use a saucepan placed in a pot off shallow boiling water. Stir in one ounce honey and then beat in two ounces of olive oil by hand. Stir until cool. Place in a wide mouth jar. Apply as needed to prevent chapped lips.
Tastie Lip Balm
In a double boiler melt one to two ounces beeswax. Add one cup almond oil and mix in. Add three tablespoons honey. Remove from heat and add one teaspoon of essential oil. Suggestions: Lavender, rose, bergamot, or lemon verbena. You can also use vanilla, lemon, orange, or strawberry extract.
Use these remedies to replace the pain and burning with soft smooth lips. These remedies will get you through the coldest and driest weather winter can dish out.
Sources: Family Cookbook, Ultimate Cosmetics , MotherNature.com
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