Lip Care – Best Treatment To Stave Off Dryness This Winter

Know more about some amazing way that is really needful to protect your lips from winter dryness, how to avoid chapped lips this winter?
AuthorBy Wendy Gould

Last Updated: Apr 20, 2022

Winter Lip Care
Best Lip Care Treatment - Image/Shutterstock

When the breeze gets colder and drier towards the winter months, the harsh weather can take a toll on your skin. One of the common natural winter skin problems is windburned lips[1].

Windburn symptoms include extremely dry, flaky skin and chapped lips that burn or hurt.

This is especially complicated to treat in people with sensitive, acne-prone, combination skin types.

Eczema and psoriasis flare-ups are also pretty common. Exfoliating too often during this season could also dry out and damage the skin.

Sunburn, severe dryness, or windburn can lead to flaking and cracking of the skin, even with the regular use of moisturizer.

These are already bad enough on the cheeks and other parts of the face, but what if these happen to your lips?

The results could be inflamed, painful, dry, chapped lips that are not pretty to look at: windburned lips.

To know more about this condition and some essential windburned lips treatment tips, continue reading this article!

What does “Windburned” mean?

I know that most of us automatically assume that windburn is due to the wind.

Some guess that it happens when your skin is exposed to wind that blows too strongly, which is why it usually happens during cold, windy winter days.

However, board-certified dermatologic surgeon Dr. Dendy Engelman, who is also an associate at the Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery says that windburn is a result of a combination of several factors.

According to Dr. Engelman, windburn is only partly due to the wind and is the result of low humidity and cold temperatures that cause the depletion of the skin’s supply of natural oils. The result? Tender, red, irritated, dry, and sometimes even flaky and peeling skin. Dr. Engelman adds that although windburn is often seen on the face, it can occur on any skin area that was exposed to the elements.

Other sources also insist that a windburn is a form of sunburn. When the skin undergoes prolonged or repeated exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, it becomes dry and flaky.

And yes, sunburns can happen not just in summer but also in winter or any other season. The UV index is the same for a cool, windy day and a warm day.

Dermatologists confirm that windburn is just a misnomer for wintertime sunburn.

The wind does not, and cannot burn your skin. However, excessive exposure can still dry it up and exacerbate sunburn symptoms.

The risks that make windburned lips swollen are also higher during the winter because since the temperatures are down and the clouds appear to block sunlight, people tend to lessen their use of sun protection. But because UV radiation is still there despite the weather being overcast, the skin suffers.

How long does windburn last?

Although it goes away faster than the regular sunburn, windburn typically lasts for a few days but can extend without remedies or treatment.

What are the causes of windburned lips?

Cracked, chapped, swollen, peeling, or painful lips may be due to the following windburned lips causes:

  • Exposure to very dry, cold air. When humidity levels and temperatures drop, the occurrence of windburned lips rises.
  • Chronic lip licking, biting, or sucking. People sometimes develop these practices due to stress. When you do these habits, however, your lips come in contact with your saliva. And although we think that this can moisten our lips, the enzymes in our saliva dries them up even more, which after some time can irritate the skin and cause the cracking of the lips.
  • Certain medications. Some oral prescription drugs for nausea, high blood pressure, and acne can all lead to chapped and dry lips.
  • Using wax-based lip balms with no SPF. The lips are also damaged by the sun, so choose balms with SPF for protection. Antioxidants also help boost the softness of the skin.
  • Dehydration. When your body does not have enough water, it shows in your skin causing dehydration wrinkle and making it look dull and dry.
  • Scalding hot food and drinks. When your lips touch something very hot, the burn causes pain and swelling. This can even lead to blisters or cold sore on lips and around them. In this case, do not pop windburned lips blisters because this will worsen your lips’ condition.
  • Fungal infection. According to Lori Brightman, M.D., a dermatologist, cracked lips can also be due to a yeast infection caused by your saliva pooling if you sleep with an open mouth.

Natural treatments for windburned lips

Thankfully, you won’t have to spend too much or look too far for effective treatments and remedies for windburned lips. Many stuff and ingredients in your pantry can help you have smooth and kissable lips.

Some of these are listed below:

1. Sugar

Sugar – Image/Shutterstock

The first step on how to get attractive lips is to moisturize and exfoliate. Two teaspoons of sugar, when mixed with a teaspoon of honey, can be used as a paste to scrub the lips.

Wash it off with some lukewarm water to leave the skin exfoliated and moisturized.

2. Honey

Honey – Image/Shutterstock

Honey[2] is among the best natural treatments for chapped lips that can be found in the kitchen.

It has natural moisturizing, antibacterial, and healing properties effective in treating windburned lips.

Simply put some pure organic honey on your lips a few times a day. You can also mix it with some glycerin to apply as a paste before bed to wake up to softer lips the next morning.

3. Rose Petals

Rose Petals – Image/Shutterstock

If you have roses in your garden, the petals can be used as a lip moisturizer and is also a quick fix for dark lips.

Clean and soak the petals in milk or glycerin, then mash them into a paste. Apply this to the lips once to thrice a day and before bed for moisturized lips with a nice, beautiful tint. This is the best way to get pink lips fast.

4. Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil – Image/Shutterstock

Coconut oil is also a great windburned lip treatment ingredient. Simply apply some on your lips with your fingers several times per day to keep them moist.

If you don’t have coconut oil at home, you can use olive oil or castor oil instead.

5. Castor Oil

Castor Beans Oil – Image/Shutterstock

For another windburned lips treatment, you can mix a teaspoon of castor oil with a few drops of lemon juice and a teaspoon of glycerin.

Apply the mixture to your lips before bed. Upon waking up, dip a cotton ball in lukewarm water and use this to wash your lips. Do this until your lips are completely healed.

6. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera Gel – Image/Shutterstock

Aloe vera gel is a well-known skin healing agent and a way how to get rid of windburned lips. Put a small amount of the gel every day to soothe the pain and hasten to heal.

Although it smells and tastes unpleasant to most people, the amazing and fast results are worth it.

7. Cold Milk or Milk Cream

Cold Milk – Image/Shutterstock

Cold or cool milk can help soothe burning skin on the lips. Simply dip a cotton ball, gauze, or washcloth in some milk, wring it off a little, and apply it on the lips. Or, you can apply fresh cream milk on the lips for ten minutes then wash it off with a cotton ball dipped in lukewarm water.

The high-fat content of milk cream naturally moisturizes the skin. This method is a great windburned lips treatment for sensitive skin.

8. Cucumber

Cucumbers – Image/Shutterstock

Looking for a tip on how to cure chapped lips? Cucumbers have natural soothing and cooling properties. Just gently rub a small piece or slice of cucumber on your chapped lips, so the juice comes in contact with the skin.

Allow sitting for 15 to 20 minutes before washing off with water. Doing this several times a day will lessen the pain and help in faster healing.

9. Potato

Potatoes – Image/Shutterstock

Like cucumbers, potatoes also have a soothing effect. Wash and grate or blend a potato to make a paste to be applied to the affected skin areas or simply place potato slices on the skin.

10. Petroleum Jelly

White Petroleum Jelly – Image/Shutterstock

Petroleum jelly is a very effective windburned lips treatment because it seals in moisture and protects the lips from drying out.

Simply apply several times a day onto chapped lips. You can also use it to seal the effects of honey or other treatments.

Just allow the honey to dry a little for a few seconds before applying a thin petroleum jelly coating. Leave on for a few minutes and wipe off with a cotton ball dipped in warm water. Do this twice a day.

11. Water and other liquids

Water – Image/Shutterstock

To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water, soups, and healthy juices. Drink at least one to two liters of water per day or more during dry months or if you sweat excessively during exercise.

Drink a glass or two before each meal and before going to bed. This is also one of the best upper lip wrinkle removal tips.

Additional tips to Heal Chapped Lips and Prevent Windburn

  • Apply a good quality sunscreen lotion like wear protective clothing. This is an often neglected yet important tip for winter skin care.
  • Apply a petroleum-based lip balm.
  • Never take a hot shower and bathe with cool water instead. For best results, put a cup of apple cider vinegar to your bath water.
  • Stay away from heaters, fires, or stoves.
  • Replace your toothpaste. Allergic reactions to synthetic flavors of toothpaste may lead to peeling and chapping of the lips. Opt for natural alternatives instead.
  • Avoid citrus fruits. If your lips are not yet completely healed, the juice will sting and dry up your skin further.
  • Wondering How To Cure Itchy Burning Lips? Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with severe itching, inflammation, and pain.
  • Use creams rich in vitamin E or take vitamin E tablets.
  • Add herbs and essential oils like chamomile, elder flowers, peppermint, beeswax, jojoba oil, or lavender oil in your bathwater to soothe the skin from irritation and kill bacteria.

If your windburn chapped lips do not improve after trying these natural windburned lips treatment methods or if you experience constant cracking, it’s probably best to consult a dermatologist.

FAQ’s:

Que: How do you treat dry lips?

Ans: Treatment and prevention of chapped lips:

  • Use lip balm.
  • Apply early and often.
  • Protect your lips when you’re outside.
  • Drink up.
  • Use a humidifier indoors.
  • Don’t lick your lips.
  • Don’t peel or bite flaky skin.
  • Don’t exfoliate.

Que: Is coconut oil good for lips?

Ans: Yes, it is good for lips.

Que: Which oil makes lips pink?

Ans: Almond oil replenishes the lips and prevents it from getting chapped.

Que: Can I scrub my lips with salt?

Ans: Yes, A salt scrub will also do the trick, make sure that you exfoliate gently so that your lips don’t become irritated.

Que: How do you treat severely damaged lips?

Ans: Apply a non-irritating lip balm (or lip moisturizer) several times a day and before bed.

Conclusion

These remedies are great, but to prevent future problems and maintain healthy lips, you are also advised to eat a proper diet, stay hydrated and moisturized, and avoid extreme temperatures or weather conditions if you can.

X

Advertising Disclosure

As the owner/sponsor of this website, we have the full intention to be compliant with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules about the use of testimonials, endorsements, and overall content in advertising and marketing. Accordingly, we want you as a visitor to understand the instances we get paid to sell all products or services on this site.

The content that appears on this page is presented as a nominative use product overview. The provided information includes product information, overviews, buying guides, and product specifications. All trademarks, registered trademarks and service-marks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please leave a comment or contact us. By contributing your product facts helps to better serve our readers and the accuracy of the content. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. We are dedicated to providing the most scientifically valid, unbiased, and comprehensive information on any given topic. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

The table below identified "Our Top Products" does not include all companies or all available products in the market but those that we promote as the owner of and/or resellers of all products listed within it. In full compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume that any and all links on the table are sales links, and we receive compensation if you click one of these and make a purchase through our website. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own. All editorial content is written without prejudice or bias, regardless of product sponsor associations.