5 Best Natural Solutions for Chapped Lips

Lips often become dry for several reasons, one of the main ones being their proximity to the tongue. This makes it easy to lick them, which, surprisingly, has the same drying effect as licking your forehead. Saliva contains two enzymes, amylase and maltase, which can break down the delicate skin on your lips, leaving them vulnerable to dry conditions.

Additionally, when saliva evaporates from the lips, it takes away natural moisture, worsening the dryness [source: Gardner].

Many believe lips dry out due to the absence of sebaceous glands. These glands, typically linked to hair follicles, secrete sebum, a natural oil composed of triglycerides and dead cell debris. Sebum moisturizes and protects the skin. While lips are hairless, they actually possess a unique type of sebaceous gland called ectopic sebaceous glands [source: Bolognia, et al].

The prevalence of dry, chapped lips indicates that the ectopic sebaceous glands responsible for lip moisture occasionally need assistance. For those who prefer natural solutions for healthy, glowing skin, here are five natural remedies to revive your dry lips.

5. Coconut Butter or Oil

For thousands of years, people in tropical regions have relied on coconuts for both nutrition and medicine. Modern studies on coconut oil have confirmed traditional beliefs about its health benefits.

Coconut oil contains a unique type of fat. Unlike most animal and plant fats, which consist of long-chain fatty acids, coconut oil is made of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These are metabolized differently by the body and do not raise cholesterol levels. In fact, coconut oil helps reduce cholesterol in organs like the liver, effectively lowering overall cholesterol [source: Fife].

Coconut oil also offers healing benefits, particularly for skin health, including treating dry lips. Its MCFAs allow it to be easily absorbed, acting as an emollient and moisturizer. Additionally, it enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects cells from free radical damage.

4. Cucumber Slices

Cucumber slices have long been a staple in beauty routines. The classic spa image of someone with a facial mask and cucumber slices over their eyes is widely recognized. These slices are known to reduce under-eye puffiness and improve skin appearance. Similarly, they can also work wonders for dry lips.

Cucumber is over 90 percent water, making it an excellent source of hydration [source: Chow]. The moisture from raw cucumber slices can replenish dry lips, but the vegetable also contains other beneficial compounds. It’s rich in ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, which boosts collagen production, a protein that strengthens and supports skin. Additionally, cucumber contains caffeic acid, an antioxidant that protects against free radicals caused by UV radiation [source: Yamada, et al].

When applied to the lips, cucumber slices deliver hydration, enhance lip fullness, and provide sun protection. All this from a vegetable that costs less than a dollar at your local store.

3. Mango Butter or Oil

Similar to coconut oil, mango butter, derived from the seeds of the mango tree (Mangifera indica), has been used in traditional medicine for ages. The reason is clear: mango butter and oil are packed with fatty acids, making them superb moisturizers.

Mango butter primarily contains oleic and stearic acids, which are excellent for softening and hydrating lips. These acids are triglycerides, the main components of sebum. Applying mango butter or oil directly to your lips is a natural way to replenish moisture.

Oleic and stearic acids have a unique property: they are both hydrophobic and hydrophilic. This means one end attracts water while the other repels it, making these triglycerides highly effective at sealing in moisture and protecting lips from drying out.

2. Aloe Gel

Aloe vera, a popular houseplant, has been used for various remedies, from soothing burns to easing constipation. Some of these uses are supported by the gel's hygroscopic properties [source: Mayo Clinic]. But what does that mean?

Similar to the hydrophilic properties of oleic and stearic acids in mango butter, aloe vera gel attracts water molecules. This makes it hygroscopic, meaning it draws moisture from the surrounding air.

When applied to dry, chapped lips, aloe gel acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the lips. It also works as an excellent carrier for essential oils, such as rosehip oil, which can support elastin and collagen production.

1. Your Own Sebum (Or Someone Else's)

This method might sound a bit unconventional, but it’s arguably the most natural and cost-effective way to treat dry lips: your own sebum. As mentioned earlier, sebum is a natural oil that moisturizes and protects skin and hair. Most skincare products aim to replicate sebum’s effects, so why not use the original source?

Gently run your finger under your nostrils and along the sides of your nose to feel the natural oil, sebum. Then, swipe the same finger across your lips to instantly hydrate them.

You might notice your lips don’t taste great afterward. Interestingly, using sebum as a natural remedy for dry lips has an added advantage: it can help break the habit of licking your lips. Just ensure your hands are clean before applying.