how to fix dry lips

How to Heal Cracked & Chapped Lips

THE FOUR CRUCIAL ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE CHAPPED LIPS TREATMENT

When your lips reach next-level dry and become cracked or chapped, simple fixes like a swish of lip balm or a big glass of water, aren't likely to be enough. Next time you are looking for a chapped lips cure, follow our simple four step guide below.

Cracked lips aren't likely to be repaired in a single day but, with a bit of discipline, patience and persistence, you can replenish the health of your lips.

1. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS

Keep up your water intake. Your lips are one of the first places to show dryness when you are dehydrated.
Loading up on water-dense veggies will help boost your hydration levels as well.

2. COVER YOUR LIPS WITH AN EMOLLIENT (MOISTURE LOCKING) LIP BALM

Look for a gentle lip balm that contains natural moisturising ingredients like:

Beeswax
Shea butter
Coconut butter
Olive oil

Applying a lip butter will also provide your chapped lips with much needed relief.Enriched with a fruity strawberry aroma and Hydra IQ,

NIVEA's Lip Care Strawberry provides instant hydration and long-lasting moisturisation.

3. APPLY OILS TO ULTRA-TENDER LIPS

Gently rub a small amount of soothing oil on your lips to provide great relief for cracked and chapped lips.

Oil helps to moisturise your lips and protects them from further damage. Choose natural nut oils and seed butters, including:

Coconut oil
Olive oil
Almond oil
Jojoba oil
Shea butter
Rosehip oil

NIVEA's Lip Care Strawberry contains natural ingredients such as jojoba oil and shea butter, and is 100% free of preservatives.

4. CONSIDER A HUMIDIFIER

Consider buying a humidifier if you work or live in a building with excessively dry air.

Humidifiers help to moisten the air, and in turn, your damaged lips.

THE THREE FUNDAMENTALS OF A DRY LIPS CURE

Keeping dry lips soft and smooth may seem like a constant battle, but there are ways to keep your pout from drying out.

Keep your lips healthy in three simple steps:

1. Exfoliate

Gently rub your lips with a homemade mixture of olive or coconut oil and sugar and wipe clean with a face washer or a splash of warm water.
Exfoliating helps to remove the dead flaky, top layer of skin on your lips to reveal the fresh, young skin underneath.

2. Wear lip balm regularly

Apply and reapply a good quality lip balm, often:

NIVEA's Lip Care Strawberry is enriched with shea butter and Hydra IQ, to provide your lips with intense long-lasting moisturisation
NIVEA's Sun Protect Lip Balm effectively protects your lips against harmful UVA and UVB rays with SPF30 while keeping your lips hydrated with Hydra IQ

Moisturising lip balms help lock in hydration and protect your lips from drying out.

3. Apply a dry lips treatment overnight

Replenish your lips' moisture while you sleep with NIVEA's Repair and Protection Lip Balm. Formulated with Hydra IQ shea butter, bisabolol and wheat germ oil this dry lips treatment rehydrates your lips, leaving them healthy, soft and nourished.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR DRY LIPS

Treating dry lips can also be done using a few common ingredients from home. For a quick natural fix, experiment with one of these three simple and natural dry lips remedies:

1. Coconut oil

Spread pure coconut oil over your lips for instant hydration.
Coconut oil helps to boost the overall health of your skin including the skin on your lips. It contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), making it easier for your skin to absorb.
Coconut oil also helps your body absorb more vitamin E, which works to prevent the production of cell-damaging free radicals.

2. Aloe vera

Apply the gel from a fresh aloe vera leaf to your lips to soothe sore or tender lips.
Aloe vera has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe your skin and relieve stinging sensations.

3. Rose water and honey

Mix honey and rose water and apply to your lips for about 15 minutes before washing off. Honey and rose water help prevent cracking and provide deep moisturisation.

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use.