Although coconut oil can be used as an alternative to daytime lip balm, coconut oil can also work well as an overnight treatment mask.
Other benefits of coconut oil include potential disinfecting and antimicrobial effects. Such benefits may keep your lips germ-free, and subsequently, help protect any cracked skin from becoming infected, too. Further, coconut oil is an anti-inflammatory, which means it may also help reduce swelling.
Coconut oil is definitely a lot safer and will actually add moisture to your lips.
As with many other cosmetic products, coconut oil is an excellent substitute for artificial lip balm. Its proven moisturizing, antibacterial, and nurturing properties are ideal for proper lip care.
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.
Unfortunately, most lip balms are made from a wax base. They coat the lips and provide temporary relief, but they don't provide any long-lasting benefits. Lip oils are different because they are made from natural oils that can penetrate deep into the lips to add moisture that lasts for hours without reapplying.
"You mix equal parts coconut oil, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon—everything is natural," says Wilson. "Put it on your lips, tap it off with a warm cloth, and your lips get plump." I mixed up a batch at my desk—which is totally acceptable when you work at Allure—and my lips are still looking a little fuller an hour later.
Plant-based oils and butters commonly found in natural hand soaps and natural lip balms include coconut oil, which moisturizes, softens, and fights bacteria; shea butter, an emollient and anti-inflammatory; and argan oil, which is an antioxidant that helps protect against sun damage.
The primary benefit of coconut oil is its moisturizing effects. This makes it ideal for chapped lips. Your lips are particularly sensitive to moisture loss because the skin is thin, and they're exposed to the elements more so than other parts of your skin.
It can be used as a cooking oil in the kitchen, to treat damaged hair, and even as a moisturizer for the skin on your body; however, I do not recommend using coconut oil on your face. Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it clogs the pores on your face.
Blood vessels in the lips help give them color, and massaging them can boost blood flow to the area. Use a good quality almond or coconut oil as a natural remedy for dry lips. Gently rub the oil into the lips a few times per day. The effects should be noticeable within a day or two.
"Many of us sleep with our mouths open, which dries out our lips. A humidifier can make the air a little healthier." On that note, if you're going to apply lip balm, don't just go for it in the daytime; apply it before bed, too. "Look for ingredients like shea butter, glycerin or natural oils," advised Fishman.
For an overnight lip treatment, mix a small amount of olive oil and honey together. Honey has been proven to have antibacterial and wound-healing properties, and the olive oil will help to moisturize. Apply the mixture to your lips before you go to bed, and your lips will be soft and smooth in the morning.
Lip oils not only give your lips a beautiful glossy shine, but they also nourish, soften, and protect your lips from dehydration and cracking.
Does brushing your lips with a toothbrush make them bigger? There's no evidence that brushing your lips will make them permanently bigger. Brushing your lips might cause a temporary increase in blood flow. However, brushing your lips for the purpose of trying to make your lips fuller will likely irritate your skin.
Lip oils create a protective barrier from the harsh, cold winds and each use will improve the texture and moisture content of your lips. You can even sleep with your lip oil on to let the product sink into the skin overnight.
B vitamins
Chapped lips are a common symptom of deficiencies, especially in folate (vitamin B9), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and vitamins B6 and B12 ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ).
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.
Chapped lips are typically caused by environmental exposures that lead to irritation, including saliva and licking your lips, spicy foods, and cold, dry weather, says Dr. Zeichner. The common cold and sun damage can also cause chapped lips, he adds, as well as medication like cholesterol-lowering agents.