Chapped lips occur due to excessive dryness caused by moisture loss through lip licking, frequent use of alcohol based cosmetics and illness. Dry air contributes to the loss of moisture experienced by your lips, as well. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, sun exposure is also responsible for causing chapped lips. Chronic chapped lips are painful and unsightly to the sufferer, requiring treatment to replace moisture and smoothness.
Step 1
Apply lip balm to your lips to protect and soothe the pain and cracking. According to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies," apply lip balm after eating, drinking or wiping your mouth. Apply it several times throughout the day.
Step 2
Drink eight to 10 glasses of water per day to stay hydrated, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Inadequate water intake can cause the skin on the lips to dry because you aren’t hydrating yourself properly. Drinking plenty of water will help keep your lips moisturized naturally.
Step 3
Apply zinc oxide lip ointment to your lips before bedtime. Zinc oxide provides a barrier for your lips from saliva that may escape through your mouth as you sleep, according to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies."
Step 4
Keep your tongue inside your mouth and avoid licking your lips. Excessive lip licking causes the lips to become drier and promotes chapping, according to the Mayo Clinic. Avoid flavored lip balms to prevent licking your lips.
Step 5
Apply beeswax or petroleum jelly to your lips frequently, suggest the University of Maryland Medical Center. Beeswax and petroleum jelly absorb into the skin providing a higher level of moisturization.
Step 6
Apply a sunscreen to your lips to protect them from the sun's damaging UV rays. According to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies," the sun can fry lips causing dryness and excessive scaling. Lip balms and lipsticks containing SPF 15 or higher sunscreen is recommended for use when going outdoors during any time of the year.
Things You'll Need
- Lip balm
- Water
- Zinc oxide ointment
- Beeswax lip ointment
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