Dry, flaky lips are one of those minor annoyances that you don’t notice until they just won’t go away. Chapping often results when cold air, dry indoor environments, and lip-licking deplete moisture faster than the delicate skin can replenish it.
Extra virgin olive oil has become quite popular lately among those suffering from chronic dry lips because it is natural and inexpensive. Plus, the composition of olive oil lends some science to that practice.
Why Olive Oil Is Often Used for Chapped Lips
The texture of extra virgin olive oil isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It not only serves as a pantry item but is also chemically beneficial for the lips.
Its Fatty Acid Profile Does Most of the Work
The main argument in favor of chapped lips olive oil begins with oleic acid. Oleic acid comprises between 55% and 83% of the fatty acid composition of extra virgin olive oil.
Oleic acid is an emollient that penetrates the outer layers of the skin. It softens and smooths cracked, flaky skin. Olive oil also contains squalene, which reduces the rate of moisture loss from the lips to the air.
Vitamins and Antioxidants That Support Recovery
Extra virgin olive oil contains vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps to shield lip skin cells from UV damage and environmental aggressors. Olive oil’s polyphenols, such as hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, have anti-inflammatory effects that can help soothe irritation and heal small cracks.
Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is the Better Grade
Not all olive oils are created equal for topical use. Extra virgin olive oil is extracted by cold-pressing, with no chemicals. This allows the olive oil to retain its level of bioactive compounds.
Many types of refined olive oil and light olive oil lack significant amounts of polyphenols due to the processing they undergo. When looking for olive oil to use topically, organic extra virgin olive oil in dark glass bottles is your best bet.
How to Use Olive Oil on Dry Lips Step by Step
What’s in an olive oil counts for less than how you apply it. Done the right way, more of its benefits end up where they’re supposed to, on the skin.
The Direct Application Method
To the first-time user of olive oil for dry lips, the direct method is the most convenient place to start:
- Use clean lips, but slightly moist, as moist skin absorbs oil more easily than dry skin.
- Use some extra-virgin olive oil on a clean fingertip or cotton swab; add 1 to 2 drops.
- Rub the oil into the lips in small circles for 20-30 seconds.
- Dry rubbing is best avoided, especially when lips are cracked or irritated.
- Do not wipe the oil off; leave it on to enable the skin to absorb it.
How to Layer for Longer-Lasting Results
While extra virgin olive oil will moisturize lip skin, it will not lock in moisture as beeswax or petrolatum can. Olive oil can be used first, followed by layering with a thicker lip balm about 60 seconds later.
The olive oil provides emollient benefits while the balm seals in moisture. Doing so will create longer-lasting benefits. This technique is a great choice for chilly, blustery weather, when lips are prone to drying out quickly.
The Overnight Treatment
Most of the skin’s natural repair process takes place while you sleep, so it’s one of the best times to use a chapped lips olive oil treatment. It will suffice to clean lips with 2-3 drops just before sleep.
A light, even layer is better than a thick layer, as it can be messy and stick to pillowcases. A warm-water rinse in the morning will remove any buildup.
When to Add Olive Oil to a Simple Lip Care Routine
Using extra virgin olive oil regularly tends to matter more than pouring it on heavily. It helps to know when it actually makes sense to reach for it, so one doesn’t end up overdoing it or putting in effort that doesn’t pay off.
Who Benefits Most
Olive oil for dry lips treatment can help in mild-to-moderate lip dryness caused by cold weather, indoor heating, or lip licking. It is also useful for those who wish to use fragrance-free, low-ingredient products instead of commercial products.
However, if the lips are very dry or bleeding, they should be treated with a medicated ointment, not an oil. An appreciable patch test before regular use would be beneficial, as in some individuals, high oleic acid content may irritate the mouth.
Best Times to Apply
Because it can stay on the skin throughout your sleep without being disturbed, nighttime application is the most reliable. Daytime users should avoid applying right before consuming acidic foods or going outside in direct sunlight, as these activities will shorten the oil’s longevity on the lips.
When to Combine It With a Lip Balm
Extra virgin olive oil moisturizes the skin, but won’t actively pull moisture into the skin. That is what humectants, like glycerin, do. Commercial lip balms often contain humectants. Combining EVOO with a humectant-rich balm delivers both benefits.
A Kitchen Staple with Real Lip Care Credentials
Dry, cracked lips don’t usually require an over-the-counter solution. Extra virgin olive oil does what chapped skin needs. When used correctly, its fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents work together to heal lips.
Applying it at the proper time of day in appropriate amounts (with a sealing balm if needed) produces reliable results with nothing more than most kitchens already contain.
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