They say pink lips are a sign of good health. So a healthy body is generally going to have relatively soft pink lips. But that’s not always the case, the environment plays a big part in the process. The colder and drier it is, the drier and darker the lips. And sometimes that dryness leads to cracked bleeding lips, a sign of distress indeed.
So in order to protect our lips from the environment and keep them plum and pink we make use of Chapsticks.
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What exactly is Chapstick?
You probably know of lip balms. So Lip balms and Chapstick are pretty much the same things.
But Chapstick is actually a brand name trademark for a kind of lip balm that has been around for decades. Now we use the two reciprocally.
Chapsticks are waxy balms with emollients like beeswax or lanolin oils that preserve our lips by minimizing moisture loss, along with other components for extra benefits like UV protection and reducing hyperpigmentation.
What differentiates our lips from our face skin?
The skin on the Lips is much thinner and more delicate than the facial skin. Lip skin contains only 3-5 cell layers compared to the 16 on our bodies. Since the blood vessels are much closer to the surface, the lips look rosy. This also lets them dry quickly and become chapped. The thin surface combined with the lack of sweat glands allows them to lose water more easily in a dry environment. So sometimes they require something extra to help them retain the moisture.
This does not mean you should go out and buy the most overpriced lip balm aka Chapstick trending on Instagram. All you have to do is look around your home for these hidden treasures.
If you have been wondering how to get rid of chapped lips without chapstick, here are some of the Best Natural Chapstick Alternatives that you’re likely to find around the house.
10 Best Natural Chapstick Alternatives For Chapped Lips
1. Coconut Oil
This is almost certainly in your kitchen or skincare cabinet. Coconut oil contains a lot of Lauric acid, which has an antimicrobial effect on the skin. According to a 2018 study, Virgin Coconut Oil has anti-inflammatory properties and supports skin barrier function. If you have chapped or extremely dry lips, coconut oil will protect them from further dryness and aid in healing the cracked lips faster.
2. Sweet Almond Oil
The Benefits of Sweet Almond Oil are not limited to just skin and hair. It is a versatile oil that is rich in antioxidants and vitamins such as A, E, and K. The main reason why many love this oil is – because of its lightweight texture that absorbs super quickly. It’s a non-comedogenic, non-greasy oil that will not only soften and hydrate your lips but will also protect them from sun damage.
3. Butter
Butter and Clarified Butter (Ghee) are excellent chapstick alternatives. They make great winter lip balms because they keep your lips from drying out. Because of the fatty acids in them, they will nourish your lips while also making them pinker and plumper. Ghee also makes removing stubborn lipstick residue from the lips easier. This is something to consider if your lips are extremely dry.
The con is that it’s not Vegan Friendly as Butter is mostly derived from Cow Milk. And it can be a little bit heavy on the lips. Nevertheless, this is my personal favorite as Butter is almost always available in our household and I like the taste of it.
4. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera is excellent for sunburn relief and skin cooling. When the humidity hits, Aloe Vera Gel makes a great candidate for the lips. It will not only soothe chapped lips but will also gently exfoliate the lip surface, removing dead skin and allowing for a smoother lip surface to come up. It is best to seal it with an occlusive to trap moisture as Aloe Vera is a humectant that is pretty light. But this makes an exceptional choice for the hot summers.
5. Cocoa Butter
Cocoa Butter is rich and intensely nourishing on the lips because of the high concentration of fatty acids in it. It can instantly soften and supple your skin and lips. It’s a great choice for chapped lips that require immediate attention and moisture retention. A 2014 publication confirms the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Cocoa Butter on the skin. The best part is that cocoa butter smells utterly delicious.
6. Shea Butter
Shea butter is a great choice for all types of lips because it is a great lip softener. No wonder, it’s the most common ingredient found in many lip balms. Shea Butter’s anti-inflammatory and healing properties are extremely beneficial in case of any swelling or redness. It also has antioxidant effects to prevent UV damage. We recommend using whipped shea butter for a better texture and feel as Shea Butter can be quite hard to apply.
7. Olive Oil
Olive oil is high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which are healthy fats. Olive oil protects your lips from transepidermal water loss and deeply hydrates the lips. They’ll keep the moisture in and gradually soothe the surface, giving you soft smooth lips.
Research conducted in 2019 reported that the combination of Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, and Bees Fruit Extract provided hydration for the lips for at least 6 hours which is excellent to repair dry and chapped lips.
8. Castor Oil
Castor oil has a reputation for growing beautiful eyelashes, but that isn’t its only benefit. It contains ricinoleic acid, which not only moisturizes but also adds hydration to the lips. So if your lips are lacking in moisture or drying out quickly, this is your go-to thing. It’s easily available and also makes a great base for an exfoliating lip scrub for smoother lips.
9. Cucumber
Cucumbers are commonly used to fade dark circles, but they could do the same for lips as well. Cucumber juice gives the lips a lovely flush. They also soften the lips, making them ideal for anyone wanting to reduce slight pigmentation. It helps in rehydrating the lips that lack hydration and infuses the lips with the needed vitamins and minerals present in it.
10. Vaseline
Vaseline or good ol’ Petroleum Jelly should be on any occlusive list. When it comes to treating dryness or sealing in moisture, Vaseline is a game changer. It forms a firm barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss and giving lips time to repair. They’re ideal for winter. They’ll also repair your elbows or cracked feet just as well as your lips.
How do you unchap your lips without chapstick?
1. Keep them hydrated
We understand that Lip Balms or Natural Chapstick Alternatives aren’t enough to solve your lip problems forever. They’re relief measures. So we begin by drinking enough water. Drink water according to your body’s needs and the weather. Summers will require way more water than winters would. And if you find lips or skin feeling abnormally dry, you know you’re not drinking enough. So drink up.
2. Get a humidifier
If you like to try out new skin care products, invest in a humidifier. You’ll be doing your skin a favor and making a long-term investment in skin care. A humidifier will ensure a constant moisture supply to the skin and lips, keeping them supple and pink.
3. Get some fish
Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and minerals that our bodies require to function properly. And keep our lips pink and plump.
We also have vegan and vegetarian options. Flax seeds, chia seeds, olive oil, nuts, and greens are all healthy options that will provide similar benefits.
4. No more licking
We do it frequently, and far too often in the summer, hoping to find relief from the heat with some moist lips. However, this actually causes lips to dry out faster and steals moisture from the skin. So, if you need more moisture, put on that Chapstick.
5. Stay away from allergens
Different people will respond differently to various substances. One person may be alright with Castor oil on their lips while another may have an allergic reaction. So do a patch test first and avoid commonly irritating substances like camphor, essential oils, and fragrance.
6. Sun damage
Even with sunscreen on, prolonged sun exposure is never a good idea. If you must go out in the sun, wear a hat or scarf to protect your face and lips. Also, make sure your lip balm has at least SPF 15 and is a broad spectrum to protect against UV A and B rays. You can even look for ingredients like Vitamins C and E to help neutralize free radical damage.
7. Lotions are for the body
Can I use lotion instead of chapstick? If this has been your thought – The answer is NO. Lotions contain preservatives and strong substances that delicate lip skin does not require or want. It may even cause irritation in some cases. So apply lotion to your body and lip balm to your lips.
Lastly, Dry chapped lips are not really a problem until they crack and bleed. And that only occurs when you have neglected your health. Remember that healthy lips are literally the sign of being in the “pink of health”.
Sejal Jain is a passionate beauty content creator at TheBeautyInsideout. She believes that skincare is not just a superficial thing but more like an expression of self-love and respect for your body and yourself.
