Chapped lips can be a source of pain throughout the dry winter months or after spending the day in the sun. They also cause cosmetic problems; they are unattractive, and they prohibit lipstick from going on smoothly for many women. Luckily, you can heal chapped lips fast by using the right products and some handy home remedies that will remove the dead skin and heal your lips so that they are kissably smooth once against. Exfoliating and moisturizing are your best weapons against dry, chapped lips.
Step 1
Mix an exfoliating paste made with 2 parts petroleum jelly and 2 parts sugar. Mix well to combine. Apply the mixture to an old, clean, soft-bristled toothbrush and run the toothbrush over your lips. This will exfoliate and remove the dead skin that has peeled away from the chapping. Brush gently, and to stop if you notice pain or bleeding. Rinse after one minute.
Step 2
Apply an antibiotic ointment after the exfoliating scrub. Dermatologist Joseph Bark, M.D., of Lexington, Kentucky notes in "The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies" that chapped lips can easily become infected, so using an antibiotic ointment twice daily can cut back on your chances of it becoming infected and causing further problems.
Step 3
Use a homemade quality, old-fashioned lip conditioner that contains beeswax and phenol as part of its ingredients. These less modern lip conditioners soothe lips with a cooling sensation and protects them from any further damage by coating them in a layer of beeswax, which is nature's lip balm.
Step 4
Avoid doing further damage to your lips while they are healing. Licking your lips may give your lips moisture, but it dehydrates them when the saliva dries, which makes chapped lips worse. When going out in the cold, cover your lips with a scarf, and add lip conditioner frequently throughout the day, no matter where you are.
Step 5
Use a high-quality lip balm as your every day protection from chapped lips once they heal. Choose one that has a built-in sunscreen to protect your lips from the sun, as well as your other favorite cosmetic ingredients. If you catch yourself licking your lips often, choose a lip balm with a medicated or unpleasant taste to stop you.
Things You'll Need
- Sugar
- Petroleum jelly
- Toothbrush
- Antibiotic ointment
- Lip balm
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