Chapped Lips in the Fall? | Here's a Remedy
It’s hard to enjoy that pumpkin spice latte with a pair of chapped lips. So many of us love the cooler temperatures that the fall season ushers in. But it also means drier air – and our lips are one of the first areas to feel the effects.
The result? Dry, chapped lips that can feel uncomfortable and look less than ideal. The good news is you don’t have to suffer through the season. There are natural remedies and practical tips you can use to keep your lips feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated all season long.
First, let’s explore why lips get so dry in the fall. Then, we can tackle how to get rid of chapped lips using simple, effective remedies.
What Causes Chapped Lips?
“Why are my lips always chapped in the fall?” you say. Well, before we dive into the remedies, it helps to understand why our lips get so dry as the temperature drops.
Unlike the rest of our skin, our lips don’t have oil glands that produce natural moisture, leaving them more vulnerable to becoming dry and chapped. A few factors contribute to this:
Cooler Temperatures & Dry Air: As the humidity levels drop in the fall season, the air gets drier. This lack of moisture can easily dehydrate our lips, making them prone to cracking.
Wind: The chilly breeze in the fall can whisk away the little bit of moisture that’s left on our lips, drying them out even further.
Licking Your Lips: While it might seem like licking our lips would provide moisture, it actually makes things worse. The saliva evaporates quickly, leaving our lips drier than before.
Indoor Heating: As we turn on the heat in our homes and offices, the warm, dry air can strip the moisture from our skin, including our lips.
With these culprits in mind, let’s jump into how you can combat chapped lips naturally.
Hydration Starts from Within
This is the number one chapped lips remedy. The foundation for soft, hydrated lips starts with hydration. When the air is dry, our bodies lose moisture faster.
So, it’s just as important to stay hydrated in the winter, as in the summer. Drinking water throughout the day can prevent our lips from becoming too dry in the first place.
Tip: If you struggle to drink enough water, try infusing it with fall flavors like apple slices or a splash of cranberry juice to make it more enticing.
Exfoliate Gently
One of the best ways to keep our lips soft is by gently exfoliating them. Exfoliating removes the dead, dry skin that can build up on our lips, revealing fresh, smooth skin underneath.
DIY Lip Scrub Recipe:
1 teaspoon of honey (a natural humectant)
1 teaspoon of sugar (a gentle exfoliant)
1 teaspoon of olive oil (for moisture)
Mix the ingredients together and gently rub the scrub on your lips in a circular motion. Then, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Follow up with a nourishing lip balm to lock in the moisture, and this routine will leave your lips feeling soft and smooth.
Moisturize with Natural Ingredients
When it comes to lip care, you want to avoid products that contain harsh chemicals or drying ingredients like alcohol or synthetic fragrances. Instead, opt for natural ingredients that nourish and hydrate your lips. Some of the best natural lip moisturizers include:
Coconut Oil: Known for its rich moisturizing properties, coconut oil is excellent for hydrating dry lips and creating a protective barrier to lock in moisture.
Shea Butter: This natural fat is full of vitamins A and E, which help repair and nourish chapped lips.
Beeswax: Beeswax is a common ingredient in natural lip balms because it helps seal in moisture and protects the lips from the elements.
Aloe Vera: Known for its soothing properties, aloe vera can help heal cracked lips and prevent further irritation.
When choosing or making a lip balm, look for products that contain these ingredients for maximum hydration.
Keep a Humidifier Handy
A humidifier can be your best friend during the fall and winter months. When indoor heating dries out the air, a humidifier adds moisture back into the environment, helping to prevent dry skin and lips. Placing a humidifier in your bedroom can help you wake up with soft, hydrated lips.
Tip: If you don’t have a humidifier, placing bowls of water near your radiators can add moisture to the air as the water evaporates.
Protect Your Lips from the Elements
Just like you wouldn’t leave the house in the fall without a jacket, don’t forget to protect your lips from the harsh elements. Wind and cold air can quickly dry out your lips, so be proactive:
Use a Lip Balm with SPF: Even in the fall, the sun’s UV rays can still damage your lips, making them more prone to dryness. The best lip balm for chapped lips will contain SPF to keep your lips protected.
Apply Lip Balm Before Going Outside: A layer of lip balm acts as a barrier, helping to lock in moisture and prevent the wind from stripping it away. Reapply as needed throughout the day.
Wear a Scarf: On particularly windy days, wrap a scarf around your mouth to protect your lips from the drying effects of the wind.
Avoid Lip-Licking & Biting
It’s tempting to lick our lips when they feel dry, but this habit only makes things worse. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving our lips even drier than before. Similarly, biting or picking at the skin on our lips can lead to irritation, cracks, and even infections.
To break these habits, keep a nourishing lip balm nearby and apply it whenever you’re tempted to lick or bite your lips. This will keep your lips moisturized and help you avoid further damage.
Overnight Lip Care
Just like your skin can benefit from an overnight face mask, your lips can also use some extra TLC while you sleep. Applying a thicker layer of a natural lip balm or treatment before bed will give your lips the hydration they need to repair overnight.
For an even more intensive treatment, apply a thin layer of honey to your lips before bed. Honey has natural healing properties and acts as a humectant, drawing moisture back into the skin. Rinse it off in the morning and you’ll find your lips feel incredibly soft.
Eat for Healthy Lips
What you eat also plays a role in the health of your lips. Foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants can promote healthy skin and lips. Try to include the following in your diet:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts, omega-3s help maintain the skin’s moisture levels.
Vitamin E: This vitamin is essential for skin health and can be found in nuts, seeds, and leafy greens.
Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, berries, and bell peppers are high in vitamin C, which supports collagen production and helps keep lips plump and smooth.
Hydrated Lips All Fall Long
With the right care, you can enjoy soft, hydrated lips all fall long. From simple DIY scrubs and lip balms to staying hydrated and protecting your lips from the elements, these natural remedies will help soothe and prevent dry, chapped lips as the temperatures drop. Embrace the cozy season with a smile that feels as good as it looks!
Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.