9 Best Ways To Heal and Prevent Windburned Lips

Whether cracked, peeling, painful, chapped or swollen, no one likes dealing with lips that are anything other than supple and smooth. If you spend anytime at all outside during winter, you’re likely to suffer the wrath of the wind. Windburn is a condition that refers to the burning and redness your skin might endure after spending time outdoors in the cold, windy air. The symptoms of windburn are similar to that of sunburn. Your face might be red and tender to the touch. You may also have a “burning” sensation. As the redness fades, your skin might start to peel.

When your lips start burning and looking flaky, dry or even burned, there are several types of treatment can offer relief, but there are also preventive steps you can take to keep your lips healthy and hydrated. Here are 9 best ways to heal and prevent windburned lips:

Don’t Lick Your Lips

We lick our dry lips to add some moisture, but it actually dries them out even more. Your saliva contains acids that break down food, but they also irritate your lips. Plus, continuously licking will remove any natural oils you have on your lips.

Moisturize

Replenishing your skin’s moisture is important in both pain relief and overall recovery. You can still wash your face and body, but make sure you do so with a moisturizing cleanser. At to apply extra moisture after cleansing.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is naturally rich in antioxidants and has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Slathering a fresh serving on your skin can help soothe the irritation and pain that windburn might cause. To use this method mix two tablespoons of the oatmeal mix with water and use it as a paste. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly while gently massaging the oats into your skin with small circular movements. Repeat up to 3 times a day.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of nature’s most effective soothing agents, this gelatinous substance is cool to the skin, and works to reduce inflammation, irritation, itching, and a variety of other skin issues that we often face. To use this method apply 100% natural aloe vera to your lips and l eave it on until it dries out, and pat away any excess with a cool, moist towel. Repeat three times a day or as needed, when windburn becomes painful or uncomfortable.

Use a Humidifier

In addition to the direct effects of winter, even the heat indoors can dry out your skin. To help keep your skin healthy and better equipped to handle the wind and cold, use a humidifier. Using a humidifier or vaporizer will help increase hydration and healing internally and externally in the body.

Lip Balm

The lips are the most affected area of the face when it comes to windburn. This is because lots of the protective measures we can take often leave out the lips. With that, it’s advised to coat your lips and the skin surrounding them with a thick, long-lasting lip balm before you step out into the sun.

Protective Clothing

One of the best things you can do to prevent windburn is simply keep your face covered. Wear long neck coats, hats, scarves, ear muffs, or masks to keep as much of your skin as possible protected.

Drink More Water

Keep up your water intake. Your lips are one of the first places to show dryness when you are dehydrated.  Loading up on water-dense veggies will help boost your hydration levels as well.

Petroleum Jelly

The oldest trick in the book. If you’re going to enjoy the outdoor in the winter, use occlusive products that wind damage can’t penetrate. Try applying a petroleum jelly on any areas that can be particularly sensitive like your lips, nose, and cheeks.

Being outside, even on a cold and dry day, can cause your skin to get burned. The key is to protect your skin from the sun and other elements every single day.