Last Updated on January 22, 2019 by Marc Seward
If you suffer from chapped or dry lips, then you will know how uncomfortable it can be not to mention how unattractive. Chapped lips are usually associated with cold weather or wind exposure but it is not only the weather that can cause your lips to chap.
Causes of Chapped Lips
1. Lack of Protection
The majority of us are very careful with our skin and are unlikely to forget to apply sunscreen but many people forget to protect their lips in the same way. You should always protect your lips from the sun with some type of balm. Lip balms with sunblock as an ingredient can give you some additional protection.
Try to keep your lips well moisturized during the day. Natural ingredients like beeswax or essential oils can help prevent your lips from drying.
Your lips may be especially vulnerable in certain weather conditions but they can become chapped and dry in any number of situations whatever the weather or time of year.
2. Licking the Lips
People with dry and chapped lips have a tendency to lick their lips which seems to be a logical response. Unfortunately, it does not work and they will feel dry again almost as soon as you have finished licking them. In fact, when the saliva evaporates, even more moisture will escape from your lips causing them to become even drier. This also causes a rough and dry upper layer which is separate from the more moist layer beneath. Biting your lips or chewing them can have a similar effect.
3. Dehydration
Make sure that you are well-hydrated and taking on enough water during the day. Unlike your skin, the lips do not have oil glands meaning they get chapped and dry more easily. Dry lips can actually be a symptom of overall body dehydration.
4. Certain Medical Conditions
Chapped lips can be a symptom of certain medical conditions. If you suffer from frequent or constant dry lips, it is best to see a doctor to rule out some of these more serious medical issues.These include autoimmune disorders that cause skin and lip sensitivity to UV rays and a thyroid complaint called psoriosis. Other conditions that can cause chapped lips include angular cheilitis, actinic cheilitis and diabetes.
Tips to Avoid Chapped Lips
Before we go on to look at the best essential oils to prevent and treat chapped lips, there are some other tips that are worth noting.
- Lip Balm: Using a good quality balm can help protect your lips from exposure to the elements. A good balm should contain plenty of emollients and help lock in the moisture. Ingredients like petrolatum and dimethicone help retain moisture and seal splits and cracks.
- Apply Protection Frequently: Apply your protective balms or oils before applying lipstick. You should apply early in the morning and at least 6 times throughout the day.
- Stay Well-Hydrated
- Do not Lick, Chew or Bite your Lips
Essential Oils for Chapped Lips
If you are familiar with our site, then you will know that we value the natural healing abilities of essential oils very highly. These volatile oils can help treat countless physical and emotional conditions in a natural way. As long as you use them correctly, they are also a safe alternative to potent pharmaceuticals laden with potentially dangerous chemicals.
Many essential oils are used to help skin health from moisturizing and cleansing to treating chronic conditions. It is not surprising then that essential oils can be used to protect your lips and prevent them from chapping.
Why Essential Oils for Chapped Lips?
There are several good reasons why essential oils can help you retain healthy lips.
- Moisturizing Qualities: A number of essential oils have a wonderful moisturizing effect on your skin. They can help to lubricate and seal moisture in the lips keeping them looking healthy and feeling soft.
- Healing Properties: Many essential oils have excellent natural healing properties for the skin. They can help regenerate the skin and speed up the healing of wounds.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: The natural anti-inflammatory properties possessed by many essential oils can help relieve inflammation and also protect your lips from discomfort and pain.
- Analgesic Properties: Plenty of essential oils have well-researched analgesic properties that help ease the pain that your chapped lips may be causing.
The Best Essential Oils for Chapped Lips
1) Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is the most popular oil of all. It is also one of the mildest acting and diverse with regard to its huge range of healing abilities. Lavender essential oil can also be used to help treat your chapped lips and ease inflammation and peeling.
2) Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil is another popular oil that can work wonders on your lips. It has excellent anti-inflammatory abilities as well as the ability to moisturize and soften your lips.
3) Rosehip Essential Oil
Rosehip essential oil is known to be excellent for your skin. It helps promote collagen production and improve skin elasticity. It can also play a part in treating your chapped lips and protecting them from the elements.
4) Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil has excellent anti-inflammatory abilities as well as analgesic properties that are perfect for treating dry and chapped lips. Applying a few drops of peppermint oil combined with a suitable carrier oil a few times a day can do wonders for your lip appearance and health.
5) Jasmine Essential Oil
Jasmine essential oil has a delightful, warm fragrance that can do wonders for your emotional health but it is also great for the lips. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe swelling while combined with a suitable carrier oil it can also help moisturize the lips.
6) Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil is probably best known for its soothing and calming abilities but it is another excellent oil to protect the lips from damage. If your lips are chapped or dry, the anti-inflammatory properties of the oil can help reduce swelling while it is also able to re-hydrate the lips keeping them soft and moist.
7) Blue Tansy Essential Oil
Blue tansy essential oil may not be as well known as some of the other oils in our list but it is equally as effective when it comes to lip care. Blue tansy oil can help protect your lips from exposure damage while also helping to relieve irritation and swelling.
How to Use Essential Oils for Chapped Lips
- Essential oils may be natural but they are also extremely powerful and should be treated with respect. It is very important that you do not apply essential oils neat to your lips because it may cause further irritation or allergic reaction.
- Make sure that you dilute your chosen essential oil with a suitable carrier oil before you apply it to your lips. The best carrier oils for chapped lips are oils with their own moisturizing qualities such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil and almond oil.
- After you have diluted your essential oil, apply the mixture to your lips several times a day. Apply it first thing in the morning and several times throughout the day. You can also apply your oil before bed to keep your lips hydrated through the night.
Which essential oil or combination of oils do you find most effective for protecting your lips? Let us know and we can add it to our list.
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