With a full season of soaking up the sun and cooler weather right around the corner, dry chapped lips can be a constant struggle. Anyone who gardens or plays outdoor sports knows exposure to the elements is especially hard on delicate lip skin. For one, the skin here is much thinner than in other areas of the body. And unlike the rest of your skin, lips don’t have oil glands to provide protection and moisture.

Chapped Lip Causes and Symptoms

Known medically as cheilitis, chapped lips can be worsened by dehydration as well as eating spicy, salty, or citrusy foods. Symptoms of chapped lips include:

• Dry or scaling lips
• Cracking, peeling, flaking skin
• Mild pain

How to Heal Lips Naturally

From makeup to kissing, eating, and more, we put our lips through a lot. That’s why you need natural options to protect your pucker. So, get ready to kiss chapped lips goodbye with these better-for-you choices.

• Calendula Ointment: Medicated lip balm may be your go-to, but Calendula Ointment is a superior solution. Calendula flower is the active ingredient that heals and relieves irritation.* It has a rich, moisturizing texture and is free of drying ingredients like flavorings and fragrances found in other lip balms.  
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a natural lip moisturizer. It contains healthy omega 3-fatty acids and nourishing vitamin E that aid in hydrating and softening skin. It also has a nice natural scent and pleasant taste.
• Aloe vera: Skip the stuff in the bottle at the store. Instead, use fresh, raw aloe vera directly from the plant. The gel-like substance has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other natural compounds that help rehydrate drying lips and skin.
• Honey: Cracked lips are not only uncomfortable but are also prone to infection. Honey has been used for centuries to treat burns and wounds because of its antimicrobial properties. This makes it a great choice to use on painful, cracked lips.
• Green Tea: Aside from its rich antioxidant profile, green tea is abundant in polyphenols, which are natural anti-inflammatory compounds. While it won’t prevent or heal chapped lips, green tea can soothe soreness and irritation. Simply soak an unflavored green tea bag in warm water and gently rub over the lips.  

These natural remedies can easily be paired with a DIY lip scrub, such as this one from the folks at MindBodyGreen, to remove dead skin and speed healing.  

To further explore ways of keeping your skin healthy and protected, visit BoironCalendula.com.

*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.