Most store-bought chapped lip remedies contain petroleum jelly and medication that is generally safe to use. However, if you ever run out and can’t get to the store, there are a few different home remedies that are also effective, all-natural and safe to use. Take a look at the following recipes and test them out to see which ones work best. You can make some batches of the ones that you like the most and store for a rainy day.
Honey and Petroleum Jelly
Mix equal parts of bee honey and pure petroleum jelly and apply to the lips with your finger. Allow the ingredients to soak into the skin for about 15 minutes. Remove by soaking a Q-tip or cotton ball in warm water and gently wipe away some of the material, but don’t worry if some of it remains behind because it will also help to soothe the skin. Repeat a few times a day until the lips heal.
Coconut Oil
Take some pure coconut oil and apply it to the lips. This will help to moisturize the skin and promote the healing process. Apply the oil a few times a day and repeat until your lips begin to heal. This remedy seems to work particularly well during cold and dry days.
Aloe Vera
The Aloe plant is well-known for its medicinal properties, and it also works wonders on chafed skin. You can simply tear a stalk from the plant and extract some of the liquid. Apply it directly to your lips and allow the juice to soak into the skin. Do this a couple of times per day until the pain and chafing goes away.
Cucumbers
Cucumber facial remedies have been around for years, and most of us have seen pictures or videos of people putting a couple of slices over their eyes to get rid of bags and dark spots. You can take a piece of cucumber and apply some of the juice to the lips repeatedly to help the skin heal. However, the liquid will quickly dry, so this remedy may not be as effective as some of the others, but it’s worth a try nonetheless.
Coconut Oil, Vaseline and Aloe Vera
You can make a balm with two parts of Vaseline and one part of coconut oil and aloe. Mix the ingredients together and store in a container with a screw-cap lid. Take some out with your finger and gently apply to your lips. Purse them in order to let the remedy coat the lips evenly and re-apply as necessary until you notice an improvement.
Clarified Butter
Making clarified butter is a very easy process, and the natural lubricants in the finished product are purported to help heal chapped lips. Simply put some pure, unsalted butter in a saucepan and bring to a low boil. You will notice that the butter will begin to foam and separate. The foam as well as some other solids will settle on the bottom as time progresses. The butter will be ready once the bubbling stops and excess moisture has evaporated. Remove from heat, filter through a cheesecloth and allow the remaining liquid to cool to room temperature. Store in a container and apply to the lips as needed.
Keep in mind that you can also take some steps to minimize the severity of chapped lips as well. Drink lots of fluids to ensure that you are properly hydrated. Avoid licking your lips as enzymes and sodium in your saliva can actually aggravate the chafing and cause more irritation. Finally, you can also treat chapped lips by applying dabs of water to keep them moist.
Finally, you can also apply some antibiotic ointment to the affected area, and this is especially helpful when dealing with severe chafing that breaks the skin which could lead to an infection and prolong the healing process. Try these suggestions and explore some other options as you do your own research, and you will be surprised at how many good remedies exist that are all worth trying.