When we talk of sunscreen, rarely do we even discuss our lips. But our lips are just as vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV damage as anything else. Sunburned lips can be painful, dry, and prone to peeling, leaving them in need of extra care and hydration. According to the City of Hope, 1 in 1000 people can develop lip cancer in their lives, and too much exposure to the sun is a significant risk factor.
While there are many lip balms available in the market that contain SPF, or act as sunscreen for your lips, here are some natural, homemade lip balms crafted from natural ingredients.
DIY Lip Balms for Sun-Damaged Lips
Just like the rest of our skin, our lips can suffer from sunburn, which can lead to discomfort and dryness. Sun-damaged lips may appear red, swollen, and feel tender to the touch. Without proper care, sunburned lips can become dry, cracked, and prone to infection.
Crafting your own lip balms allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring that you're using gentle, nourishing compounds to soothe and protect your lips. Here are a few DIY lip balm recipes to try:
Soothing Aloe Vera Lip Balm
To make this lip balm, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 1 teaspoon beeswax pellets
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
- 5-10 drops of vitamin E oil (optional)
Instructions
- In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax pellets together until fully melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in the aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil (if using).
- Pour the mixture into lip balm containers and allow it to cool and solidify before use.
Healing Honey Lip Balm
You will need the following ingredients for this lip balm:
- 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets
- 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the beeswax pellets and sweet almond oil together in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl.
- Remove from heat and stir in the honey and lavender essential oil (if using).
- Pour the mixture into lip balm containers and let it cool and harden before applying.
Moisturising Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
You will need the following ingredients for this lip balm:
- 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the cocoa butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil together in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vitamin E oil and peppermint essential oil (if using).
- Pour the mixture into lip balm containers and allow it to solidify before using.
Tips for Application
Now that you have crafted your lip balms, follow these steps to apply them correctly:
- Apply your DIY lip balm liberally to sun-damaged lips as needed throughout the day.
- Be gentle when applying lip balm to avoid further irritation to sunburned skin.
- Reapply lip balm frequently, especially after eating, drinking, or spending time outdoors.
Sun-damaged lips can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but with the right care and nourishment, you can help them heal and regain their natural softness and moisture. By creating your DIY lip balms using natural ingredients like aloe vera, honey, and cocoa butter, you can provide your lips with the hydration and protection they need to recover from sun exposure. Include these soothing lip balms into your skincare routine to keep your lips feeling healthy and revitalised year-round.