We’ve turned back the clocks and in other words, Winter Is Definitely Coming with its accompanying dryness.
Our lips are often most vulnerable; after all, they get the most exposure to rain, wind, and freezing temperatures. Lips potentially suffer because that area of skin is very fragile, essentially an extension of the skin inside the cheeks—it doesn’t even have oil glands!
In winter, cracked lips develop due to the following reasons:
A cold, dry climate, plus indoor heating exacerbates dry lips.
Dehydration due to low water intake causes dryness everywhere, especially on your lips.
Licking lips can lead to severe dryness and even peeling (saliva evaporation, plus digestive acids, eat away at the delicate skin).
This winter, to keep your lips looking lush, do a little pre-planning:
Splurge on a humidifier. You need to offset the dry heat with a cool mist humidifier.
Dry lips are one of the first signs you’re not drinking enough water, so make use of that new water bottle you just bought.
Do not lick your lips, especially if your lips are chapped.
Moisturise your lips every night, especially if you sleep with a heater on. Coat your lips pre-bedtime with a natural lip balm or salve.
Lip balm tends to be the most common weapon we use against ‘the elements’, however, there are more things we can do to keep those lips soft, smooth, and kissable. Here are the simple steps to getting—and keeping! —soft lips. Try our natural remedies shared below.
In the morning, wash your face and gently rub off any dead skin from your lips with a natural and honey+oil-based lip scrub.
Luscious Lip Scrub
1 tsp Grape Seed Oil
1 tbsp sugar (I love panela)
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp cocoa powder
Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Rub it into your lips with your finger —but be especially gentle with super dry lips. There’s no reason to rinse it off, just keep the honey on your lips. (Or eat it if you want, we won’t judge.) Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Reapply every few days as needed to keep flakes at bay.
Tackle those cracked heels even if you are wearing your fuzzy socks… maybe on the couch while watching something or reading. You deserve it.
Every night I slather lips with coconut oil. It sinks in faster than you can wipe it off! It’s probably the world’s easiest way to make your own homemade lip salve. You can combine this with a little Manuka honey (antibacterial and anti-inflammatory) and essential oils too, and your lips will be noticeably softer by morning. SOS remedy for instant results!
Lips Rescue Salve
1 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp Manuka honey
1-2 drops lavender or chamomile essential oil
1 tsp Vitamin E or 3 capsules
Heat the coconut oil until barely melted. Add the honey and essential oils and stir well. Continue stirring until the oil has solidified and honey is well-mixed, then transfer to a lip balm container. Use within 2-3 months.
Who doesn't love a gingerbread that doesn't add you weight on? Honey is a natural humectant that draws moisture into skin and it has proven wound healing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal dry, split lips. A 2015 study looked at the suitability of several essential oils, including ginger oil, for use in antiwrinkle cream. Ginger oil, along with other essential oils, was found to have high antioxidant activity as well as anti-inflammatory response.
Restoring Lip Balm
1 tbsp shea or cocoa butter
1 tsp honey
1 tsp almond oil
1 tsp macadamia oil
1 tsp grated beeswax
3-4 drops vanilla extract
2 drops ginger essential oil
This winter beat dry, flaky, or even painfully chapped lips, with our natural ways to heal them and keep them soft and moisturised.
Read our related blog post and keep those lips plump and healthy all year long.
Keep Glowing Naturally,
Sonia x