How To Heal Cracked and Chapped Lips

When your lips reach next-level dryness and become cracked or chapped, simple fixes like a swish of lip balm for cracked lips 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 cherry aroma and Hydra IQ, NIVEA Cherry Shine lip balm 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

4. CONSIDER A DEHUMIDIFIER

Consider buying a dehumidifier if you work or live in a building with excessively moist or humid air. Dehumidifiers help to remove excess moisture from the air, leaving your skin and lips with the right balance of moisture.

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 Cherry Shine lip balm is enriched with a gentle and caring formula which provides your lips with intense, long-lasting moisturisation. 

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 Cherry Shine Caring lip balm that rehydrates your lips, leaving them healthy, soft and nourished.

Treating dry lips can also be done using a few common ingredients from home. For a quick natural fix, experiment with one of these four 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. ROSEWATER 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.

4. CHERRY PULP- If your favourite cherry lip balm is out of reach, you can use this natural cherry pulp, milk and sugar scrub to exfoliate your lips. This mixture not only moisturises your lips but also provides it with a tint of colour.