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This article was co-authored by Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD. Dr. Margareth Pierre-Louis is a board certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist, Physician Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Twin Cities Dermatology Center and Equation Skin Care in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Twin Cities Dermatology Center is a comprehensive dermatology clinic treating patients of all ages through clinical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and telemedicine. Equation Skin Care was created to provide the best in evidence-based, natural skin care products. Dr. Pierre-Louis earned a BS in Biology and an MBA from Duke University, an MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed a residency in dermatology at the University of Minnesota, and completed a dermatopathology fellowship at Washington University in St Louis. Dr. Pierre-Louis is board certified in dermatology, cutaneous surgery, and dermatopathology by the American Boards of Dermatology and Pathology.
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We all want soft, lustrous lips, but sometimes Mother Nature isn't as keen on handing us moisturized kissing machines on a silver platter. If cold, harsh weather or bad habits are taking a toll on your lips, try implementing some of the suggestions below to improve the overall look and feel of your lips.
Steps
Wear a moisturizing lip balm, as needed. Use a balm with shea or cocoa butter for the best results. Reapply it only when your lips feel dry.- If you use lip balm too often, it can make your lips more chapped.[1]
- Apply lip balm underneath any other lip products that you use, including lipstick, lip gloss, and lip stain.
- Choose the product that sounds most appealing to your condition. Some lip balms are medicated and others contain strong mint extracts that might be irritating to some. Read the label of a lip balm before buying it to ensure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.
- Common lip balm brands include: Burt's Bees, Blistex, Carmex, Chapstick, C.O. Bigelow, Nivea, Softlips, and EOS.
- You can easily find lip balm at Walmart, Target, or at your local pharmacy.
Avoid lip balms with fragrances, flavors, or dyes. These can be drying or potentially trigger irritation in some sensitive users. Choose lip balms with all-natural ingredients (no chemicals) that are free from unwanted additives.[2]Advertisement
Wear moisturizing lipstick. Most makeup brands carry a line of moisturizing lip balms, including Clinique, Jouer, Dior, Benefit, Revlon, Bobbi Brown, and Laura Mercier.- If your style is more drugstore than department store, simply look for lipstick labels that claim to be moisturizing.
- Check the ingredient list for shea or cocoa butter extracts and any type of moisturizing oil such as coconut and/or olive oil. Make sure that the ingredients don't include salicylic acid, which can cause your lips to peel.
Use products that contain at least SPF 15 to avoid damage caused by the sun. Your lips are very susceptible to sunburn and sun damage. Be sure to wear lip protection when going outdoors.[3]
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Rub sugar on your lips. You can really use any coarse food product, but avoid irritants like salt that will actually dry out your lips.
Make a honey, sugar, and olive oil scrub. Combine a tablespoon of honey with two teaspoons sugar and one teaspoon olive oil. Rub the mixture on your lips and allow it to sit for several minutes.[4]
Make a coconut-citrus conditioner. Mix 2 teaspoons coconut oil, 3 drops lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon beeswax into a saucepan and melt it over low heat stirring constantly. You can also use lime juice if you don't have any lemon juice on hand. Pour the mixture into a glass container and allow it to cool and harden. Apply it to your lips as you would a regular lip balm.[5]
Rub butter, neem oil, ghee, or milk cream on your lips before going to bed. These substances are very deep moisturizers that especially help calm chapped lips. Rinse the product off in the morning.
Make a paste with baking soda and water and rub it on your lips. Let it harden and then rinse thoroughly with water.
Apply aloe vera gel to red, cracked, and/or sunburned lips. Aloe vera is extremely soothing and helps you get rid of harsh damage from the sun.[6]
Rub cucumber slices on your lips. The phytochemicals found in cucumbers tighten the collagen in your lips, making them appear plump and hydrated. Massage your lips for several minutes with freshly cut cucumber slices.[7]
Use a toothbrush to apply any of the scrubs above for a more vigorous exfoliation. Only use a soft or medium bristled toothbrush to avoid making your lips raw. You can simply use warm water or use the toothbrush to spread an external exfoliant on your lips.
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Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. One of the best things you can do for your lips, in fact for your skin in general, is to make sure to drink a lot of water. Water not only hydrates your body, it nourishes your skin and promotes new cell growth. In fact, dry lips can be a sign that your body is not getting the amount of water it needs.[8]
Refrain from licking your lips. Although it might be counterintuitive, wetting your lips by licking them with saliva actually causes drying.[9]
Try not to bite your lips. If you tend to bite your lips when nervous or without realizing it, try using chewing gum to satisfy an oral fixation. Biting your lips causes cracking and can create open sores that may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Eat a diet heavy in fruits and vegetables. Foods that contain vitamins B and C are especially good for your skin. Consider taking a supplement if your diet lacks these vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids are also extremely good for your skin and can be found in foods like fish, avocado, and almonds. You can also take a daily Omega-3 supplement.
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Expert Q&A
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- QuestionHow do you get dead skin off your lips?
Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistThere are two effective methods. One is making a simple scrub with oil and sugar and rubbing it gently or the lips. The other is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently slough off dead skin. - QuestionHow do I make my lips soft?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistDrink plenty of water and apply a thin layer of coconut oil before going to bed at night. You should also wear a lip balm during the day if they feel dry. If you'll be out in the sun, select one with SPF. - QuestionHow do you get your lips unchapped?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistChapped lips are dry. To fix the problem you'll need to hydrate your lips with an emollient product that helps trap your natural moisture. You can also exfoliate gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove the flaking skin.
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Tips
- Makeup, including lipstick, dries out your lips. Wearing less makeup on your lips will help you avoid dryness. Alternatively, you could wear moisturizing lipsticks.Thanks
- Give your lips time to breathe by periodically taking a break from lip products.Thanks
- If you are exfoliating every day, this is too much. Lip skin is very delicate and chaps easily. Cut back to exfoliating less often.Thanks
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Warnings
- Do not brush your lips too hard, or they will become raw and sore.Thanks
- Don't share your lip balm, as it can spread germs.Thanks
- Throw out lip balms that you've had for one year or longer. They can store bacteria.Thanks
- Matte lipsticks dry out your lips more than other lip products.Thanks
- Don't use cheap balms with flavors, because they will make your lips dry and you might be tempted to lick it off.Thanks
- Try not to lick your lips as the saliva will make them dry.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-signs-your-lip-balm-use-is-just-a-bad-habit/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-signs-your-lip-balm-use-is-just-a-bad-habit/
- ↑ https://www.today.com/style/put-down-lip-balm-doctor-approved-list-chapped-lips-do-t69466
- ↑ http://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/natural-lip-scrub-cure-for-chapped-lips/
- ↑ http://www.ourbestbites.com/2013/05/coconut-lime-sugar-scrub-plus-printable/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/kids/skin/skin-cancer/treating-sunburn
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/
- ↑ https://www.today.com/style/put-down-lip-balm-doctor-approved-list-chapped-lips-do-t69466
- ↑ https://www.today.com/style/put-down-lip-balm-doctor-approved-list-chapped-lips-do-t69466
About This Article
Board Certified Dermatologist
This article was co-authored by Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD. Dr. Margareth Pierre-Louis is a board certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist, Physician Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Twin Cities Dermatology Center and Equation Skin Care in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Twin Cities Dermatology Center is a comprehensive dermatology clinic treating patients of all ages through clinical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and telemedicine. Equation Skin Care was created to provide the best in evidence-based, natural skin care products. Dr. Pierre-Louis earned a BS in Biology and an MBA from Duke University, an MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed a residency in dermatology at the University of Minnesota, and completed a dermatopathology fellowship at Washington University in St Louis. Dr. Pierre-Louis is board certified in dermatology, cutaneous surgery, and dermatopathology by the American Boards of Dermatology and Pathology. This article has been viewed 1,183,059 times.
Co-authors: 68
Updated: July 30, 2023
Views: 1,183,059
Categories: Featured Articles | Lip Care
Article SummaryX
If you want to have soft lips, apply a moisturizing lip balm with shea or cocoa butter whenever your lips begin to feel dry. Try to avoid flavored or dyed lip balms, as they can be drying. If you like some color on your lips, you can try a moisturizing lipstick in your favorite color. Once every 1-2 weeks, exfoliate your lips with a sugar, olive oil, and honey scrub, and condition them with a natural moisturizer like neem oil or milk cream. For tips on making your own lip scrub and developing healthy habits for better skin, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
"A simple reminder not to exfoliate, be on the full portion of the lip and when first testing, give yourself several days before going in public in case of over-exfoliating."..." more
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