When your lips are dry and chapped, the skin can begin to lift and flake. Gently exfoliating your lips can remove dead skin cells that can otherwise prevent your lip balm from reaching and moisturizing the new skin underneath the flaky areas. You can make your own lip scrub with ingredients you already have at home.
Reach for your lip balm instead. Don't peel or bite flaky skin. The skin on your lips is thin and delicate. Picking at it can cause it to bleed and hurt, slow the healing process, and cause more irritation.
Chapped lips are the result of dry, cracked skin on your lips due to cold or dry weather, sun exposure, frequently licking your lips or dehydration. You can treat chapped lips at home with the use of lip balm or ointment to ease any discomfort.
Vaseline is an affordable, easy-to-find option in most grocery stores and pharmacies, and it's said to relieve dry skin, help heal wounds , and even help moisturize chapped lips.
But repeatedly applying lip balms and products may not help your case. Lip balms provide only temporary comfort, and some types can make scaly lips even drier. That's because, in part, when the thin film of moisture from the lip balm evaporates, it dehydrates your lips even more.
Apply a non-irritating lip balm (or lip moisturizer) several times a day and before bed. If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment, such as white petroleum jelly. Ointment seals in water longer than waxes or oils. Slather on a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors.
Sugar and honey
The sugar and honey lip scrub (recommended by none other than lip balm brand Nivea) was by far the simplest of the DIY options — and they were all pretty easy. Thanks to my love of tea, I already had both of these ingredients on hand. Simply mix the ingredients in a 2:1 sugar-honey mixture.
Honey can help moisturize your lips and protect cracked lips from infection. It also works as a mild exfoliator and can help remove dry, dead skin from your lips. Choose organic honey, and apply to your lips throughout the day using your fingers or a cotton swab.
“Cinnamon actually irritates the lips and causes blood to rush towards them giving a more plushed and plumping effect,” she tells Teen Vogue. (Most lip-plumping glosses on the market also rely on irritants, derived from the likes of chili peppers and other ingredients, to achieve this effect.)
They come in tasty flavors like Strawberry Gum, Rootbeer, Mojito, and Pumpkin Spice Latte, so honestly I'm not surprised. If you've been consuming your scrub like candy, don't worry – it's basically just sugar, oil, flavoring, and dye. According to the website "yes, it's edible." So do you, guuuurl!
Serious cases. If you find that your lips simply won't heal, there may be an underlying condition to blame and you should see a doctor. Chapped lips can get infected, as bacteria can enter through cracks and abrasions. This is known as cheilitis and must be treated by a doctor.
Causes of dark lips
excessive exposure to the sun. lack of hydration. cigarette smoking. allergic reactions to toothpaste, lipstick, etc.
Does licking my lips often make it pink? No. Saliva contains many enzymes. Licking your lips more often would make your lips dry, so try not to lick your lips and apply a good moisturizer instead.
“You have to reapply it regularly after eat and drinking,” says Dr. Waldorf. Water left on the lips from food or drink can also evaporate, adding to dryness.
Vaseline® Lip Therapy® Original for soft smooth lips. Instantly softens and soothes dry lips. Made from pure Vaseline® Jelly. Clinically proven to help relieve and prevent dry lips by locking in moisture. Give lips a natural, glossy shine.
Carmex is a moisturizing and soothing lip balm for dry and chapped lips. It contains several emollients that form an occlusive barrier on the lips that soothe and softens dry lips. These emollients form a protective barrier that traps moisture in the skin to keep the lips hydrated.
Apply a layer of petroleum Jelly to your lips before going to sleep every day. The jelly will dissolve any un-welcome pigmentation and over a few weeks' time you will notice soft, smooth and naturally pink lips. Wipe off jelly in the morning and go about your day.
The next time you're brushing your teeth, you may also want to try brushing your lips. Brushing your lips with a soft toothbrush can help exfoliate flaking skin and may help prevent chapped lips. It also has the potential to stimulate blood flow and may give your lips a smoother appearance.
Using a lip scrub is a safe, natural way to plump your lips. Exfoliating your lips also removes dead skin cells and makes your lips smoother (ahem: extra kissable).
Happ recommends using a scrub every day to help “maintain healthy, smooth lips even throughout harsh weather or travel.” It's important to note, however, that you should be mindful of avoiding irritation. “Don't scrub cracked or bleeding lips,” Happ notes.