Cracked lips, peeling lips, chapped lips, bleeding lips - these are some very common problems that no one is exempt from. Despite its commonality, most of us ignore, or at the most, pay very little attention to the problems of the lips. It’s somewhat understandable, we would naturally pay more attention to health matter of more immediate concerns and which have a more direct impact on our daily lives than that of lips. However, left untreated, lip problems can develop into painful conditions. This makes it necessary to give the lips the attention they deserve and treat it well. 

The primary cause for lip pain and problems is dehydration. A moist lip is a healthy lip, as the saying goes. Not drinking enough and environmentally dry areas can amplify the problem and is by far the most common cause for affected lips. It’s no different from the rest of your body, which also experiences dryness for the same reason. The lip’s skin is a little different from the rest of the body, in that it is a little more vulnerable to the elements. In other words, more care is required to keep them problem free. 

But it turns out that the food you eat and the makeup products you make use of also determine the wellness of your lips. There are those that benefit your lips and those that damage it. Here are a list of foods you should be eating: 

1. Coconut Oil 

Is there anything that the coconut oil can’t do? Here’s a serious contender for the Superman of the world of nutrition. 

Coconut Oil is brimming with many nutrients and antioxidants, but most importantly, it’s a great moisturizer. It does an excellent job of hydrating the skin and is completely devoid of any toxic material. There are plenty of coconut oil salve recipes available online, but you can keep it simple and simply apply a little to you lips. That works just as well. A highly recommended remedy. 

2. Flaxseed Oil 

We spoke of how coconut oil could very well be the champion of nutritional substances, but Flaxseed Oil isn’t too far behind. There’s a rage in the world right now for flaxseed, because of its richness in omega-3 fatty acids, which are extremely beneficial to the body. The application is just as easy - drop some into your hand and apply it to the lips. Regular application will make those lips shiny and red as rubies. 

3. Lemon and Honey 

Lemon and Honey does a whole load of good for the skin - and the lips too. Mix a spoonful of lemon and honey with an appropriate oil - castor is a good choice - and apply it to the lips. Time will bring the results. 

...and here are some products and foods you should avoid: 

1. Inorganic Lipstick 

Yes, they’re probably the most common makeup item, but inorganic lipsticks, like all artificial products, irritate the skin and cause long-term damage. You yourself may have noticed this. The obvious solution is to choose to organic lipsticks, which don’t cause the same irritation. There are plenty of good organic lipsticks available and they do just as well as artificial ones. Do yourself a favour and shift towards organic! 

2. Inorganic Food 

Inorganic foods are considered bad for the lips because of the way they are grown. To keep things short, the whole process of growing such foods involves the use of large amounts of pesticides. There’s no doubting that pesticides are harmful, and while there is no strong link between that and damaged lips, it’s best to avoid it. Opt for healthy organic food instead. They’re filled with other benefits anyway. 

The remedies for lip problems are easily available and won’t put any pressure on your wallet. Like all good things, the results take time, so be patient. Introduce them into your diet and watch the lips transform red lusciousness!