Apply all-natural lip gloss to help protect your lips.
Our lips have just three layers of skin cells, compared to the 16 layers on most of the face. As they have neither sweat nor oil glands, they dry out easily, so it is worth using some natural remedies to keep them soft.
Lips are often exposed to sun, wind and other irritants, but there are a number of easy, natural ways to protect them.
Colored lip gloss
2 tablespoons (30 ml) coconut oil
1 tablespoon (15 ml) almond oil
1 tablespoon (15 ml) beeswax
1 tablespoon (15 ml) cocoa butter
1–2 drops red food coloring
Melt the oils, wax and cocoa butter together in a pan over warm water and stir. Next, stir in the food coloring. Put in a small container to cool. Remember to test the gloss first before applying all over your lips.
• Massaging your lips carefully with honey on a soft toothbrush every morning will make them softer.
• The active ingredients of papaya also work well. Make a balm by puréeing a quarter of a papaya. Apply generously to the lips and surrounding skin. Rinse with warm water after 10 minutes and apply regular lip balm.
• Make a moisturizing lip balm by melting 2 tablespoons (30 ml) wheat germ oil, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) beeswax and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey in a pan over warm water. Add 3 drops peppermint oil and 2 drops chamomile. Stir until thick then cool.
• For an everyday lip balm, melt 1/2 cup (100 ml) olive oil and 5 teaspoons (25 g) beeswax in a pan over warm water; cool until lukewarm. Mix in 11/2 teaspoons (7 ml) honey, 20 drops of chamomile tincture and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) tincture of propolis. Stir until cool and store in a cool place.
• A simple, weekly exfoliating lip scrub made with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sugar and a little olive oil will remove flaky skin and promote circulation.
• Always protect the lips from ultraviolet rays by using lip balm with a built-in sun protection factor.
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep the sensitive skin of your lips tender and smooth.
• Avoid licking your lips in cold weather—the combination of wet and cold robs them of even more moisture, leaving them dry and rough.
• Smooth chapped lips by applying cocoa butter or carrot juice or by placing slices of cucumber on them.
• Alternatively, mix 1 teaspoon (5 ml) each yogurt and honey. Apply to the lips, wait 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
• To make a warm compress, mix equal amounts of fresh thyme and dried chamomile flowers. Pour 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water over 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the mixture, steep for 10 minutes and strain. Dip a soft, sterile cloth into the warm liquid and apply to lips for 20 minutes.