Chronic Lip-Sucker: Remedies for Dry, Chapped Lips
I am a chronic lip-sucker and have been for many years. So, for me, that means constantly having Vaseline on hand. This was working perfectly for me but i think it has come to a point where Vaseline is giving up on me. No matter the season, no matter the weather, no matter the time or the occasion, my lips CHAP! I have come to a point where i have accepted this and have included lip TLC into my regimen. But, i know i am not alone. I know that there are many of you out there who are in the same, painful boat as me. Like, i don’t even know whats wrong with me, am i addicted to the taste of my own lips? Because even when i have Vaseline on, i eat it off my lips, LOL. It sounds so weird when you say it out loud. So, to my chronic lip-suckers out there, this one is for you… us.
REMEDIES FOR DRY/CHAPPED LIPS
EXFOLIATE
This is probably the answer for every single thing. No, seriously, this works like magic and i don’t know how or why i manage to stay for so long without doing it. We all know the purpose of an exfoliant; removes dead skin and reveals smoother supple skin. That is exactly what we want for our skin, right? It is so simple, all you need is sugar or salt (not table, salt, guys. that thing will dry you out and its just not healthy) you want Himalayan or Dead sea salt. Mix your sugar or salts in some carrier oil, add a drop of raw honey and Viola! Now, all you have to do is use this mixture once a day, everyday. You will feel results immediately, or at least i do. I make mine using fine pink Himalayan Salts, i love these bad boys because they exfoliate and introduce minerals into your skin. Also, if you do this, make it grainy and not runny, just a drop of carrier oil for a teaspoon of salt should do the trick.
MOISTURISING LIPS BEFORE CLEANSING
This highly depends on the type of cleanser that you use. I use glycerine soap on my face so i am not affected by this at all. But, if you use a cleanser that you know is drying, apply some barrier moisturiser before you cleanse. This will prevent the cleanser from from further drying out your lips. Small trick but useful.
SUNSCREEN
Also the answer to everything. If your lips are behaving, to prevent them from chapping again, smooth some sunscreen over your lips when you are applying it on your face.
RAW HONEY
Honestly, bees are a gift to our planet in every aspect of the word. I love doing this before sleeping so i don’t lick it off. I don’t even like the taste of honey (me and sweet things is like oil and water) but i lick it off anyway. So, after you cleanse at night, take some raw honey and smooth it over your lips. Literally an amount smaller than a pea will suffice. Raw honey is a humectant so while you sleep, it will draw moisture into your little lips.
ALOE VERA GEL
Another Holy Grail. Listen, if you have not invested in some of this, then i do not know what you are doing with your life. After exfoliating your lips, moisturise it with some of this gel. Or, you could just add the gel into the exfoliant, whatever you prefer. It has all sorts of healing powers that will do you good ESPECIALLY if your chapped lips are peeling and bleeding.
DON’T (TRY NOT TO) LICK YOUR LIPS
Don’t lick your lips (“Omg, but its so hard”) I know, but we need to try. The best way to combat this is to make sure that your lips are always moisturised I know that i lick my lips less when i have some balm on. Your saliva is full with all sorts of acids and enzymes that break down FOOD. So, constantly licking your lips can pose as an irritation to your delicate skin.
WAXES
The best types of balms are those with waxes, in my opinion. Petroleum jelly just doesn’t do it for me, yes its smooth but it leaves your lips within minutes. I have had experience in making my own balms using waxes such as beeswax and it really does work far better. Unfortunately, i know that not all of us are equipped with the knowledge of creating your own balms. But, next time when you are shopping for a balm, look for one with beeswax. Beeswax is derived from honeycombs and also acts as a barrier for your chapped lips, its all-natural and healthy for your skin. Not only does it draw in moisture, but helps to lock it in.
CUCUMBER
Cucumbers are packed with water and are a great source if hydration. Grab one and slice it, place the slice in between your lips and let the moisture penetrate your lips. do this as often as you can for about 5-10 mins at a time.
NO TO SALTY FOODS
Like i said above, salt is dehydrating and will dry you out. lay low on the chips and crisps until you are fully recovered.
NO TO CITRUS
Yes, even fruits. They have a drying effect since they are astringents. Eating an orange or grapefruit whilst chapping is going to do you NO good!
DRINK WATER
Last but not least, H2O. Seriously, this is our life source. Do you know that dry and chapped lips are one of first signs of dehydration? seriously, think about it. In every single movie that i have watched when people are stranded on an island or desert of some sorta and running low on water, THEY ALWAYS HAVE DRY LIPS WHICH APPEAR CHAPPED. think about it. Drink water, i cannot tell you how much because that is different for everybody. Do not listen to this 8 glasses/2L a day nonsense.
And that is all folks! Hopefully one of you really needed this and are like ” OMgosh, thank you so much, lifesaver” and since you probably are saying that, my response is “hehe, i get that a lot”. But seriously, i love sharing this information and i really do it to serve the greater good. The greater good meaning that all my content is geared toward uplifting people through health and wellness. Every time people talk about skin, it is always about beauty. We fail to recognise its important as a FUNCTIONAL ORGAN. Yes, we all love looking good, but in my opinion, being healthy is better. So, love your skin, with all of your might. Take care of it as much as you can and in return, it will remain radiant, youthful and supple.
*Side note: Enter my Giveaway. I am giving away really awesome skin care products including a body balm and a lightweight face lotion. Both of which will be tailored to your skin type. I say it again, I am passionate about my craft and would love to share it with you.
All love 🙂
