You are probably guilty of stepping out without sunscreen, but are you also guilty of leaving out your lips when it comes to sun protection? Oh, did you just realize that your lips need sun protection too? Well, you’ll also be surprised to know that your lower lip is more likely to be affected by skin cancer than your upper lip, thanks to the harsh UV rays.
The skin on our lips is thinner and more sensitive than other parts of our body which makes them more vulnerable to sunburn and sun damage. It is, therefore, ideal to use a lip balm with SPF before stepping out in the sun. If you’re wearing a lipstick, then make sure you apply a lip balm under your lipstick each time. In any case, if you’ve sunburned your lips, then here’s how to care for them…
Ice water compresses

To soothe the burning sensation, take a soft cotton washcloth or towel and dip it in cold or ice-cold water. Next, squeeze out the excess water and let the washcloth sit on your lips for a few minutes to reduce the burning feeling. However, avoid rubbing ice directly onto your burned lips. This trick will slowly heal swollen sunburned lips.
Moisturise them lips

The sunburn can leave your lips feeling itchy and irritated. Therefore, add the moisture back to the skin and hydrate the area with the help of a moisturiser. Moisturise your lips thoroughly in order to protect and soothe the skin on your lips while the burn heals. Ensure to avoid any moisturiser infused with petroleum as that can tend to seal the heat from the sunburn.
A-loe-you!

Aloe vera has soothing and cooling properties, which is why, it makes for one of the go-to natural ingredients to treat burns or inflammation anywhere on your body. All you need to do is take a fresh aloe leaf, squeeze the gel out of the leaf and apply it topically on the burned area. Store the gel in your refrigerator before using for a cooling sensation.
Cool as a cucumber

Cucumber has a number of skin benefits. From controlling puffiness around the eyes to rejuvenating your skin, cucumber makes for a hydrating ingredient with 96 percent water content. And, that’s not all! Cucumber can also help treat sunburns on your lips. All you need to do is slice one cucumber and place the slice on your lips for a hydrating and cooling effect.
Green tea

The antioxidants in green tea are excellent at treating clogged pores, treating oily skin and protecting the skin against sun damage. The polyphenols in green tea help promote healthy cell turnover. All you need to do is dip a few green tea bags in cool water. Then, take a soft washcloth and dip it in green tea. Remove the excess water and place the cloth on your lips. This remedy will help heal your swollen sunburned lips.
Written by Fatema Habib on 11th Sep 2019