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Olive oil is a common ingredient in moisturizers, but should you apply this kitchen staple to your lips? ©iStockphoto.com/VMJonesCracked, dry, and chapped lips are a common issue, especially in cold or dry weather. Drugstores often carry entire aisles of lip balms, from medicated options to organic formulations.
While a store-bought lip balm may have a pleasant scent and come in a cute package, you might want to try using items you already have at home, like olive oil, to keep your lips hydrated. Though you might associate olive oil with pizza and garlic, it's actually a great moisturizer and a key ingredient in many skin care products [source: Cosmetics Database].
Olive oil can be used on its own to moisturize and protect your lips from drying or cracking. Simply apply it like lip balm or petroleum jelly – dab a little on when your lips feel dry, and use it at night for extra hydration.
You can mix olive oil with sugar to create a homemade lip scrub. Just combine the two into a paste and gently massage it onto your lips [source: Sorgen]. The sugar will exfoliate, removing dead skin and leaving your lips softer.
Although olive oil can help hydrate your lips in a pinch, it may not be as effective long-term as a product specifically designed for lip care. Additionally, its oily texture might cause breakouts or irritation around your mouth, especially if you have oily skin.
If you decide to use olive oil on your lips, make sure to choose high-quality, organic extra virgin olive oil. Also, note that olive oil can spoil over time, so either buy a small bottle or store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
