From too much dry air to medical conditions, we’ll discuss what causes chapped lips, plus home remedies that show you how to get rid of chapped lips and heal.
It’s important to match the right remedies for dry lips so you heal as well as treating the symptoms. Remember – good health starts from the inside out.
1. Exposure
Chapped lips tend to get worse in winter, but can be a problem any time of year. The skin of your lips is thin and delicate, so dry air and sun exposure can easily damage it.
Coat your lips with protective lip balm to prevent sun damage, and add a scarf or face mask if you’ll be outside longer in winter.
Inside, add a humidifier to increase humidity levels.
2. Dehydration
Many of us don’t drink enough water. We also don’t eat enough fresh vegetables and fruit, which are high in liquid.
Drink plenty of liquids, but go easy on the booze and coffee, which can make dehydration worse.
How do I naturally moisturize my lips?
Healing soups and broths are great for hydrating (plus the collagen in broth is also good for skin and nails). Make veggies a big part of meals.
Keep a reusable water bottle close at hand. If you need more inspiration to stay hydrated, try the bottles with built-in fruit infusers to flavor your water.
3. Lip Licking
Alas, the relief of licking your lips is short-lived. Saliva evaporates quickly, and the same chemicals in our saliva that kick off digestion will eat away at your lip skin with excessive licking.
There’s no magic bullet for this step – you just need to stop! Apply a lip balm every time you feel the urge to lick.
4. Mouth Breathing
We’re designed to breathe through our noses. Sleeping with your mouth wide open will not only lead to drooling on your pillow, it’ll dry out your lips.
You might also notice that when your nose is stuffy and you’re forced to breathe through your mouth, your lips get chapped. It’s not a coincidence.
Do your best to keep your mouth closed and breathe through your nose if possible.
5. Not Enough Healthy Fat in the Diet
Your body produces sebum, our natural lubricant, from fatty acids. Not enough good fat = not enough skin lube. Solution – don’t fear the fat!
Enjoy high-quality coconut oil and olive oil, walnuts, MCT fatty acids, schmaltz, grass-fed butter, and other nutrient-dense fats.
Don’t use more vegetable oil! Most commercial vegetable oils are blends of soy, corn, and canola, which are loaded with omega 6 fatty acids.
