Chapped lips are an aesthetic nuisance that is considered trivial but that is good to take care of, both to look more beautiful and to avoid complications.
We have all suffered from it at least once, even if for someone having chapped lips is so frequent as to suggest that it is a physiological fact determined by one’s constitution! Yet, dermatologists suggest paying attention to cuticles and cracks because an irritation or allergy can hide behind that often unsightly annoyance.
CHAPPED LIPS: CAUSES
It is not only due to the lack of external hydration, but the causes of chapped lips are really many:
1. Climatic factors
Sun, wind, and cold are among the main causes of chapped lips. These atmospheric agents can affect the very thin hydrolipidic film of the lip mucosa making it even thinner. The sun and the cold (particularly associated with dry climates) involve the evaporation of the liquids that make up the natural oily film that protects the lips. Hence, cracking and various dryness.
2. Dehydration
Lips crack when the body is dehydrated. If you drink little or take little water through food, the epidermal tissues tend to dry out. In the case of the lips – which have a very thin layer of skin – the lack of hydration leads precisely to dryness and cracking.
3. Wet your lips frequently with saliva
In the long run, this gesture leads to dryness and cracking, even if it can give a momentary sense of hydration. In fact, the tongue eliminates the thin protective veil found on the surface of the lips.
4. Allergic reactions
Sometimes dry, chapped lips can be a manifestation of allergies to substances found in cosmetics and lip products, such as lipsticks and lip glosses.
5. Colds and flu
You find yourself with chapped lips when you feel unwell: flu states tend to dehydrate the body.
6. Vitamin deficiency
In the absence of substances such as calcium, iron, and vitamins B, C, and A, you will most likely experience cracked, dry and chapped lips.
CHAPPED LIPS: REMEDIES
What are the remedies for chapped lips? First of all, we need to start with the simplest behaviors, such as drinking lots of water regularly and following a balanced diet that includes the right amount of fruit and vegetables.
Avoid wetting your lips often and using lipsticks with a very dry consistency without having first applied a veil of specific nutrients.
The cosmetic attentions do the rest: protective oils and natural emollients protect the lips, helping to keep them soft and free from cracks. The most nutritious substances are shea butter, almond and coconut oil, beeswax, and glycerin.
As for lip balms, the best formulas are those enriched with UV filters and natural oils. Why not slip one in every bag? You won’t risk suffering discomfort and itching that unfortunate day when you forgot to bring your nourishing stick with you!
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR CHAPPED LIPS
In addition to the aforementioned rules, to solve the root problem there are some ancient grandmother’s remedies that constitute real evergreens. The first is to perform a light exfoliation that detaches the cuticles and prepares the lips to receive a generous dose of nourishment. How do you do it? On a soft toothbrush put a little bicarbonate and natural oil (sweet almonds, wheat germ, and rosehip among the most effective), and then gently rub it on the lips. You will notice that even the lipsticks will hold longer.
The softening balm
As a second remedy, you can “make” your own ready-to-use natural ointment for extreme dryness relief. Get 6 g of cocoa butter, 2 g of beeswax, and 2 g of shea butter and melt them in a bain-marie. Add a drop of calendula essential oil, mix well and leave cold. Store the mixture in a glass jar with a lid.
The emergency remedies
In case of a sudden lack of various lip balms, find your “saving” ingredients in the kitchen. Massage your lips with a mixture of olive oil and honey, and leave the protective film without rinsing. In short, you will feel like another.
HOW TO REMOVE LIP FLAKES
To get rid of the fur on the lips, it is good to follow a careful routine which, in addition to including good hydration, must not also eliminate the exfoliation part and the scrub. To be done weekly, they can also be used before a make-up session to prepare for lipstick application.
In addition to the products that are easily found in perfumery or large retailers, it is possible to make a DIY lip scrub.
HOMEMADE LIP SCRUB
To make the homemade lip scrub it is important to remember that there must be a cream part and an exfoliating part, which in this case will be represented by a mechanical part that will eliminate all the cuticles. The options for a DIY lip scrub are:
- HONEY AND SUGAR
- LIP BALM AND SUGAR
- COCONUT OIL AND ALMOND FLOUR.
