Chapped or cracked lips are related to dry lips.
It’s a common condition for most people.
A severe form of inflammatory chapped lips is known as “cheilitis sicca.” [1]
Cheilitis is usually takes place by an infection. You can distinguish it by the cracked skin at the corners of the lips. [2]
If you are suffering from chapped lips, then you know how painful and uncomfortable it is.
Some essential oils may heal your dry, cracked lips and make them smooth. [3]
You must consult with a dermatologist before using these oils to avoid complications.
Read on to learn more about the efficacy and uses of essential oils for chapped lips home remedy.
Why Use Essential Oils for Chapped Lips
There are various ways essential oils can help you maintain healthy lips.
Essential Oils have Moisturizing Qualities
Essential oils have an amazing moisturizing effect on your skin. [9]
It can enable lubrication and lock moisture in the lips while making them look healthy and soft.
Essential Oils have Healing Properties
Essential oils have great natural healing properties for the skin. They regenerate the skin and speed up the healing of wounds. [10]
Essential Oils have Anti-inflammatory Properties
The natural anti-inflammatory properties of many essential oils can relieve inflammation. It will protect your lips from pain and discomfort. [11]
5 Best Essential Oils for Chapped and Dry Lip Corners
Let’s explore some of the popular essential oils to get rid of chapped lips fast.
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is the one most used essential oils in the world today.
The benefits of lavender oil were discovered over 2,500 years ago. [3]
It is a mild and versatile oil and has an immense range of healing abilities.
The lavender essential oil can treat your lip inflammations and peeling lips. [3]
You can use lavender oil as a lip balm for sunburned, cracked, chapped, and swollen lips.
READ MORE: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
2. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil can do wonders for your chapped lips.
It has wonderful anti-inflammatory abilities. The oil may soothe irritation and inflammation of chapped lips and make the lips soft. [4]
It has a warm and woody smell that blends well with other essential oils. So you can mix it with other oils to get the best results.
3. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is a great ingredient in homemade lip balm. It can give a cooling relief from sore, chapped lips.
Peppermint oil can kill herpes simplex viruses. Thus it’s beneficial for cold sores. [5]
Peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory abilities as well as analgesic properties. These components work best for treating dry and chapped lips.
Apply diluted peppermint oil blend on your lips to treat chapped lips naturally.
Read More: 12 Uses and Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil
4. Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum is a floral essential oil.
It aids to speed up the healing of dry, chapped, or sunburned lips.
Helichrysum is one of the most recommended essential oils for treating burns. [6]
Helichrysum oil blends well with spice, citrus, and wood oils. You can mix other oils with it for better results.
5. Red Mandarin Essential Oil
Red Mandarin essential oil is another citrus oil that may work well in healing dry lips.
It fights free radical damage and has a sweet, citrus smell which will make you feel refreshed. [7]
Just a 1% to 2% dilution rate is fine for red mandarin essential oil.
You can also blend it with nutmeg essential oil for a spicy-sweet citrus fragrance.
Other Natural Oils for Healthy Lips
Natural oils are the best thing for chapped lips besides chapstick.
Coconut oil is very effective in healing dry lips, cracked lip corners, and other lip inflammations. Olive oil, Shea butter, and jojoba oils are good for keeping your lips moisturized naturally.
How to Use Essential Oils for Dry Lips
- Dilute 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil with a suitable carrier oil.
- The best carrier oils for dry lips are coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and almond oil. These oils have rich moisturizing qualities.
- Apply the mixture of oils to your lips a few times daily to fix cracked lips.
- You can also apply the oil before bed to keep your lips hydrated throughout the night.
Causes of Chapped Lips
Chapped lips usually occur in cold weather or wind exposure. But there are other reasons for getting chapped lips:
Dehydration
It’s important to keep yourself well-hydrated and drink plenty of water during the day.
Unlike your skin, the lips get chapped and dry as they have fewer oil glands. [8]
Dry lips may signal body dehydration. So, it’s necessary to hydrate your body at all times.
Lack of Protection
The majority of people are cautious with their skin but forget to protect their lips in the same way.
Protect your lips from the sun. Lip balms along with sunblock can give you some extra protection for your lips.
Precautions
Essential oils are natural, but some of them can be extremely powerful. So, you should use them carefully.
It’s advised not to apply essential oils to your lips without diluting them. Doing so may cause irritation or an allergic reaction. Consult with a dermatologist before you use them.
When to See a Dermatologist
Chapped lips usually heal with lip balms or oils. You can also try essential oils to heal them fast.
If the essential oils or lip balms don’t work, consult with a dermatologist.
Because it might be a pre-cancer condition called actinic cheilitis. [12]
Bottom Line
Your lips are vulnerable. You should keep them moisturized at all times.
There are many benefits of using essential oils for lips. These oils have potent skin healing properties. The therapeutic components may help you treat chapped lips naturally.
It is safe to use the above-mentioned essential oils for your chapped lips. But if you’re allergic to any particular oil, don’t use it.
If dry lips occur due to a medical condition, these oils may not work for you. You need to see a doctor for proper treatment.
