How to Cure Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are a universal problem that most of us will have suffered from at some point in our lives, it tends to be more prevalent in colder climates but the way we treat our lips can also have a big impact. Chapped lips can be annoying, uncomfortable and unsightly. But the good news is that there are some very easy steps to take to banish dry chapped lips for good. Follow our essential five easy steps to curing chapped lips, for a soft hydrated smooth mouth. One of the steps involves using our healing and nourishing Lip Treatment Balm, which is an award-winning lip product that is packed with amazing natural ingredients. The other four steps are very easy to execute and are simple lifestyle measures. Find out more about them below.

Five Easy Steps to Cure Chapped Lips

1. Stop licking and biting lips
2. Exfoliate dry skin on the lips with a muslin cloth
3. Stay well hydrated
4. Use a good natural lip treatment for chapped lips
5. In extreme weather conditions cover lips to protect them

The Science Behind Healing Chapped Lips

We look deep into the causes of chapped lips in detail below. But first we want to summarise why following our five steps are a simple cure for chapped lips. We placed at number one on the list to stop licking and biting lips because saliva contains digestive enzymes, like amylase and maltase and they can be eroding to the skin on the lips and cause chapping, splitting, flakiness and skin peeling. Likewise biting lips causes more damage to the skin, and makes them susceptible to irritation from saliva. Having said this, we know that stopping this is easier said than done. Licking and biting lips is essentially a habit, so it’s all about breaking the habit. We often do it without realising, sometimes when we are stressed. We suggest paying close attention to find the cause of biting and licking lips, and then addressing this. If it is stress for example, try to work through the problem. It takes about three weeks to break a habit, and there is lots of help to do this from specialists.

When lips have flaking and peeling it’s a good idea to exfoliate them, as it gets rid of the dead skin, so they look better. Getting rid of any dry peeling skin means that lip products like our natural anti-ageing lip balm are better able to reach the lips to heal them. Chapped dry lips is often a problem that is worse with age, so a good anti-ageing lip balm helps to keep lips youthful, line and wrinkle free. We recommend to always keep exfoliation natural, and there is no need to buy a scrub. Instead exfoliate dry skin on the lips away with a muslin cloth, simply wet the muslin cloth with luke-warm damp water and exfoliate in small circular motions, or use it in the shower.

Staying well hydrated may not seem obvious for lip care. However, lips are still skin and will therefore benefit from the moisture boosting and plumping powers that drinking lots of water has. Just like our skin, when we are dehydrated our lips become more likely to get dry.

Use a good natural lip treatment for chapped lips like our Nakin Lip Treatment Balm. This gives lips an intense boost of nutrients and hydration to repair and comfort. It also provides an occlusive layer on the lip surface to seal moisture in and gives protection to them from external environmental exposure. Dry air, cold temperatures, and wind all have a drying effect on skin by drawing moisture away from the body. So, using a good protecting lip balm is essential.

When we go out we often do not think about protecting and covering lips like we do the rest of our body. But it is really important. So, when going out in extreme weather conditions cover lips up. This could be with a snood or scarf, and a large hat in summer-time.

The Cause of Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are a universal problem, that most people will have suffered from, although it is more prevalent when it is colder. The cause of chapped lips is when your top lip (the labium superius oris) and bottom lip known as the labium inferius oris become dry, cracked and uncomfortable. The top and bottom lip together form an enormously sensitive and flexible part of the body, and because they are so exposed and used constantly throughout the day when talking and eating, they are really vulnerable. Added to this the skin of your lips is different from the rest of our face. Our skins outer layer is called the epidermis and it has a protective covering called the stratum corneam, then underneath the epidermis is another layer of skin which is the dermis doubled up. Like the rest of our skin lips have a pink pigment that comes from the underlying blood vessels. These red blood- filled capillaries on lips do not have the oil and sweat glands though, that help to protect the rest of the skin. So, they do not have the moisture that the rest of skin has, except from saliva. This is why lips become chapped so easily. One of the main cause is not enough hydration in the lips, which is why you need a lip balm for dry lips like Nakin’s Lip Treatment Balm.

We usually find that we experience chapped lips in cold weather, because he outside air tends to be drier. A habit that many of us has is biting and licking lips, and this can also contribute significantly to dry cracked skin. This is because the saliva evaporates quickly taking with it any moisture that was already on lips, and leaving them even drier, especially in winter. Too much sun exposure can also cause dry lips, in the same way that it does for the rest of our skin. The air inside our homes can also cause chapped lips, if it is a low humidity environment.

Treatment for Chapped Lips

If we look at the treatment for chapped lips in more detail, then we can see the abundance of measures that we can take to defeat and prevent this problem. As mentioned, a big issue to overcome is biting and licking lips, a habit that many of us do. If it is a real problem then the cause of the biting and licking needs to be addressed, generally it happens when we are stressed or deep in concentration, and specialist help might be needed to overcome the issue.

If lips have dry and flaky bits then it’s good to exfoliate them with a muslin cloth either in the shower or with a tiny bit of lip balm, the smooth more bare surface of lips will not only look nice, but losing a layer of dry flaky skin will allow lip products to reach deeper levels and the active ingredients will be much more effective.

At Nakin we developed our Lip Treatment Balm especially for dry lips, and it works to hydrate, condition and comfort lips. It is a 100% natural healing treat for chapped lips.

Baobab oil delivers hydration and superb protection from the environment. Shea Butter is an amazing therapy for lips as it is a natural salve made of fats that provides healing and softening. Shea butter is from the Shea Tree and is essentially a fat that in addition to many nonsaponifiable components it contains oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, arachidic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic acid. These are a composition of fatty acids that dry chapped lips absolutely love. It absorbs into lips and has staying power, as well as having hydration binding benefits. Another special ingredient in our treatment is argan kernel oil, a lovely thick plant oil which is well known for being amazing for skin and hair as it helps protect skin, it is non-greasy and heals lips from the triterpenoids that are naturally found in it occur in it.  Lips also get a plumping boost from the mint that stimulates the circulation under the skin to improve the fullness. Lips are then further conditioned with the smoothing natural lipid benefit of beeswax, which also protects superbly from everyday life and environmental damage; important for the vulnerable thin structure of lips. This stunning anti-ageing lip balm is a saviour for dry lips, and helps soften lines and wrinkles for comforted lips and a soft smooth plumped look.

Many customers have advised us that they tried lots of different remedies for their dry chapped lips, and that they were so pleased to find our lip balm and a product that finally worked for them. Just to mention that it does not contain SPF as it is designed to be used at any time, including at night, and we only recommend using SPF when you are going to be exposing lips to the sun. Our formula is also scent and colour free, as these two ingredients are unnecessary and have no benefit for dry lips, instead it contains 100% natural plant goodness for lips.

The air inside our homes can also cause chapped lips. So, if you have very dry air in your house, consider investing in humidifier. When outside consider using a scarf, snood or high neck coat to cover lips, and smoother them with a good lip balm. In the hot sunshine try a hat or SPF on top of our lip balm. Our anti-ageing lip balm contains the best natural plants and butters for superb lip healing, as well as beeswax to provide a barrier for lips and ensure they have the ultimate protection. We do not recommend using unnatural products and those with petroleum jelly, which is found in many lip products. It does form a barrier on lips and is very cheap. However, it is a by-product of oil and is not eco-friendly, there is also some controversy on the safety. At Nakin we are massive advocates of using a 100% natural lip balm like our Lip Treatment Balm.

Chapped lips can be an uncomfortable and persistent issue, but there are several effective methods to alleviate this condition. Firstly, staying hydrated is crucial; drinking enough water helps maintain moisture levels in your skin, including your lips. Applying a high-quality lip balm like ours that contains ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, and plant oils will provide a healing treatment and a protective barrier against the elements. It's also advisable to avoid licking your lips, as this can exacerbate dryness. Gently exfoliating your lips with muslin cloth can remove dead skin cells and promote healing. If your chapped lips are severe or persist despite these efforts, consider seeking advice from a healthcare professional.

Another important factor to consider is your diet. Consuming foods high in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, such as avocados, nuts, and leafy greens, can help nourish your skin from within. Vitamin deficiencies can also contribute to chapped lips, so incorporating a well-rounded and nutrient-rich diet into your routine may help prevent this condition.

In addition to external factors like hydration and diet, certain habits can also exacerbate chapped lips. Be gentle with your lips. Avoid picking or biting at any flaky skin as it can further damage the delicate skin on your lips. Instead, use a soft cloth or tissue to gently wipe away any loose skin.

It's also essential to protect your lips from the sun's harmful UV rays. Just like the rest of your skin, your lips can get sunburnt, which can lead to dryness and peeling. Using SPF protection on top of your lip balm when spending time outdoors can help prevent this.

If you would like to find out more about Nakin then take a look at our website www.nakinskincare.com Nakin is a British skincare brand dedicated to producing the best face products available. The full skincare collection includes all you need for a good face care regime with cleansers, moisturisers and treatments for the face, eyes and lips. Nakin only use the finest natural active ingredients in our products to ensure they are as high performing as possible, but without causing irritation. The products are so kind to skin that they are even suitable for those with sensitive skin, and all skincare products are cruelty free and registered with the Leaping Bunny Scheme.