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There’s nothing worse than waking up with cracked, sore, chapped lips that make it painful to talk, eat, or even smile. Chapped lips are a common problem, especially during the dry winter months when the air is less humid. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to heal chapped lips overnight and wake up with a smooth, hydrated pout.
Causes of Chapped Lips
Before we get into the cures, it’s helpful to understand what causes chapped lips in the first place. Dry air, cold temperatures, lip licking, dehydration, and even some medications and medical conditions can all contribute to dry, cracked lips. Sun exposure is another major culprit, as the ultraviolet rays can burn the delicate lip skin.
The Overnight Chapped Lip Cure
To cure chapped lips fast, you’ll want to both treat the existing dryness and prevent future chapping. Follow these steps before bed:
- Exfoliate: Start by gently exfoliating away any dead, flaky skin on your lips using a soft toothbrush or lip scrub. This will allow lip balms and ointments to better penetrate.
- Use a Thick Ointment: Next, slather on a thick, hydrating ointment designed for extremely dry skin. Look for ointments containing petrolatum, shea butter, beeswax, or ceramides. Popular options are Aquaphor, CeraVe Healing Ointment, and good old Vaseline. Avoid lip balms with irritants like camphor, phenol, menthol, or fragrance.
- Lock It In: To seal in that ointment and prevent it from getting wiped away, apply a thick layer of an occlusive product right on top. Lanolin creams, dimethicone ointments, and even a coating of Vaseline will create a protective barrier.
- Use a Humidifier: Dry indoor air can quickly wick away any moisture you add to your lips. Run a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep to add moisture back into the air.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the evening. Dehydration makes chapped lips worse.
- Don’t Lick: As tempting as it is, avoid licking your lips. This may provide temporary relief but will ultimately cause more evaporation and chapping.
Overnight Relief for Severe Chapping
If your lips are severely cracked, cracked and bleeding, you may need to apply a thin layer of an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream before applying the thick ointments. The cortisone will reduce inflammation and allow the lips to heal.
For extremely severe cases where the lips are cracking, bleeding, and crusting, you may need to see a dermatologist. They can prescribe a stronger medicated ointment.
also read: Sunset Eyeshadow Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Guide
Daytime Care for Lasting Results
Overnight treatment isn’t enough for lasting relief, especially in dry winter months. During the day, continue to apply a hydrating SPF lip balm frequently. Try to identify and avoid any triggers like licking your lips. Drinking plenty of water can also help from the inside out.
With some simple but diligent care, you can wake up with smooth, healthy, comfortable lips again. Following an intensive overnight healing routine and keeping lips moisturized during the day will allow you to bid those cracked, painful chapped lips goodbye.
