There is something magical about seeing a stuffed stocking on Christmas morning. No matter if you are young or old, waking up to a lumpy stocking full of surprises offers a special joy. Once you start taking gifts out of the stocking, though, your excitement may start to fade. That’s where we come in! We’ve put together a solid list of healthy and useful stocking stuffers that everyone will love. 

Nobody needs more socks, underwear, tissues, or lip balm in their stocking. Be creative and nab some fun things that your friends or family will actually use. You don’t have to put a brand new iPhone in the stocking; rather, keep it low-maintenance, low-cost, and incredibly unique. The stuffers don’t have to be boring, either. You don’t have to choose between candy bars and carrot sticks! 

Which stocking stuffers do you usually gravitate towards? Are you some who enjoys gifting classic holiday indulgences? Do you like finding unique toys or fun miscellaneous items? Leave your old habits behind this year and consider some of the following healthy and useful stocking stuffers. 

Bath Bombs

Taking a relaxing bath is a great form of self-care. Bath bombs only enhance the experience, and often contain ingredients that help encourage healthier skin. It’s up to you if you want to avoid intense colors because those colors can stain tubs. Don’t make more work for your friend or family member! Consider making a quality homemade bath bomb by clicking here. 

Hand Creams

Consider one excellent hand cream, or a variety of hand creams, because everyone could use a little extra moisture during the winter months. Hands tend to dry out and crack this time of year, especially if you are regularly washing them to help keep germs at bay. Both the cold weather and hot water, which your cold hands desperately crave when you want to wash them, will cause dryness, so help your friends or family members replenish moisture with hand cream in their stockings.

Essential Oils

You probably cannot fit an entire diffuser in a stocking, but you can definitely fit some essential oils in there. Distilled from plants, flowers, and seeds, essential oils offer myriad health properties. Typically used for aromatherapy purposes, essential oils can promote a sense of calm, which is a very useful thing during the holiday season and New Year. Peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and lemon essential oils are great starter oils! Just make sure to get pure essential oils, being careful to examine ingredient lists for potential preservatives.

Herbal Teas

Everyone has someone in their life who loves to drink tea. Maybe they have become a master of matcha or a person who loves herbal varieties. Consider gifting them a unique tea set with various flavors. Typically, there are numerous tea sets available during the holiday season. Maybe you can accompany the different herbal teas with a nice mug, or better yet, an insulated mug that will keep hot beverages warm for hours during the winter. 

Squeezable Nut Butter Packs

Before you go out and purchase nut butter packs, make sure that the person you are buying them for does not have a nut allergy. After you cross that off the list, make sure you purchase high-quality nut butter packs. They can provide necessary protein, healthy fats, and fiber, all of which are great for keeping you full and energized between meals. Plus, they make traveling so much better! They take up very little space and are much healthier options than chips, sugary trail mixes, or salty nut mixes. 

Magnesium Lotion

Are you wondering what magnesium lotion is? First off, magnesium is a vital mineral that is linked to many health benefits, including better sleep, healthy heart, and relaxed muscles. Magnesium lotion can help calm discomfort by soothing the skin and reduce irritation and itchiness. It may also improve skin barrier function and support collagen regeneration. You may have even seen ads for magnesium lotion for babies because it helps them sleep more soundly.

Propolis Throat Spray

Show the immune system a little love with some propolis throat spray. Bees create propolis by combining various plant and tree resins with their own enzymes. It exhibits powerful antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune-supporting compounds. Should the person you’re gifting this to be prone to sore throats or common colds, it will be of great benefit to them. The flavonoids help to protect and soothe the throat, especially when it is feeling scratchy.

Movie Tickets

This doesn’t necessarily count as a healthy gift, but it is useful to many people. Movie tickets are very expensive these days, so treat someone to a night out at the movies! It’s a great stocking stuffer idea that takes up little to no room. Feel free to include some healthy snacks along with the tickets so that the person can sneak them in the theater! Just don’t tell anyone we told you to do that last part.

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If you want to enter the world of DIY beauty products, lip balms are the perfect entry point. They are not extremely difficult to make, and you can customize their flavor using different essential oils. In the case of the recipe in this article, we chose an essential oil that evokes the holiday spirit. All you need is a double boiler and four ingredients to make this lip balm!

When people look at DIY recipes, they often see a double boiler on the list of required items or tools. You don’t need a double boiler, but you can get one if you plan on making a lot of homemade beauty products. You can make your own double boiler variation in two easy ways. Both ways involve a pot that contains an inch or so of water in it. Place that pot on the stove over medium heat. Once the water is warm, place the ingredients you need to melt inside a heat-safe glass jar or measuring cup. Don’t let the water boil and stir until fully melted. The other option is to place a heat-safe glass bowl over the top of the pot with water. The heat that builds up in the pot will help melt the ingredients in the bowl above. 

Shea Butter

Shea butter boasts a long list of moisturizing and nourishing compounds. One of the best benefits is that it is enriched with emollient properties and health fats, which the skin can easily absorb for optimal hydration. Even the driest of skin types are no match for shea butter’s moisturizing properties. Applying shea butter to your lips supplies them with extra nutrients without weighing them down. Shea butter doesn’t leave your lips feeling greasy or textured either. Plus, the humectant properties work to prevent moisture loss during the winter months. 

Beeswax

You are probably familiar with the many beeswax lip balms in existence, and for good reason. Beeswax is an excellent ingredient for lip balms because it helps to seal in moisture and protect against dryness. It works to create a barrier between your lips and the environment, making it ideal for cold, windy weather. Like shea butter, beeswax is a natural substance that is not likely to cause allergic reactions or irritation. Finally, the anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe chapped or irritated lips. 

Coconut Oil

Just like shea butter and beeswax, coconut oil offers impressive moisturizing properties, making it ideal for chapped lips. The reason that lips are susceptible to moisture loss is because the skin is so thin. They are more exposed to the elements than other parts of the skin, so they rely on you for protection. Coconut oil is considered to be an emollient, which is a non-cosmetic moisturizer that helps keep the skin moist. Emollients trap moisture into the skin, which is good news for your lips because they lose moisture easily.

A Quick Note

One thing to note is that if you cannot get the Christmas Spirit essential oil, you can make a similar blend. All you need is three drops of cinnamon bark essential oil, three drops of orange essential oil, and one drop of Idaho blue spruce essential oil. You only need seven drops because you don’t want the scent to be overpowering, although you can add more if you so desire. 

All-Natural Holiday Lip Balm

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets
• 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 7 drops Christmas Spirit essential oil
• Lip balm containers

Instructions:

• Create a double boiler by adding two inches of water to a pot and place it on the stove over medium heat. 
• Combine the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter in a heat-safe glass jar and sit it inside the pot. Slowly bring the water to a boil and reduce the hit so that the water simmers. 
• Once the ingredients are fully melted, stir well and then carefully remove the pot from heat. Add the essential oil and stir to combine. 
• Carefully pour or spoon the melted mixture into the lip balm containers. Allow the balm to harden at room temperature, and then it is ready for immediate use.

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Some people start purchasing Christmas gifts in July, while others wait until the last minute. Maybe those people buy gift cards to save time and please the masses. Let us be clear about something: there is nothing wrong with a gift card. If you want to make gifts a little more personal this year, while simultaneously saving a little money, consider making gifts for the people in your life. 

No, you don’t have to join an assembly line and craft an entire train set from scratch. We are referring to some classic homemade beauty products that are beneficial for the hair and skin. In the following list, you will see everything from body scrubs to candles, which do not include harmful fragrances. Some of these recipes even share similar ingredients, so you can get more bang for your buck and diversify your DIY gifts. We hope you love these holiday gift ideas, but we really hope the people you give them to love them even more!

3-Ingredient Facial Moisturizer

Customize your facial moisturizer to your skin’s needs. Keep that glow alive with a simple blend of carrier oils and essential oils. Moisturizing with oils may be counterintuitive, but certain oils benefit the skin and can prevent dryness.

Click here to make the moisturizer. 

Vanilla Pumpkin Sugar Scrub

Pumpkin puree has several uses outside the kitchen! Your skin can absorb the nutrient from pumpkin when you apply it topically. Incorporate pumpkin into your sugar scrub and enhance the health of your skin with coconut oil, cinnamon, vanilla extract, pumpkin spice, and natural raw sugar. 

Click here to make the sugar scrub.

Sinus Relief Candle

The winter months can be brutal on your sinuses, especially with colds going around. Open up those nasal passages with an all-natural candle that contains tea tree oil, peppermint essential oil, and eucalyptus essential oil. 

Click here to make the candle. 

Peppermint Lip Balm

Chapped lips are very common in cold weather, but not anymore with this DIY lip balm. Made from ingredients that nourish the skin on the lips, this DIY recipe is moisturizing and holiday-themed. Consider painting the lip balm tins like candy canes to make them more festive. 

Click here to make the lip balm.

Apple Spice Sugar Scrub

Lather on a big dollop of this apple spice sugar scrub on your skin for maximum hydration, exfoliation, and moisture during drier weather.

Click here to make the sugar scrub.

Cinnamon Soy Candles

Skip the bags of scented pine cones at grocery stores or arts & crafts stores and make these DIY fall-inspired cinnamon soy candles instead. They will make the whole house smell amazing!

Click here to make the candles.

Citrus Mint Body Wash

Ditch the toxins and fragrances and awaken your senses with this DIY citrus mint body wash, which is made with all-natural ingredients.

Click here to make the body wash.

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If you, like millions across the nation, enjoy the warming fall aromas, then you are going to love this recipe. And if you love pumpkin spice everything, this is the nourishing lip scrub you never knew you needed in your life. It only contains natural ingredients that cater to the skin on your lips. Your lips will look more luxurious than ever!

What Is A Lip Scrub?

Just like a body scrub or facial scrub, a lip scrub contains particles that help slough away dead, dry, or flaky pieces on the lips. Lip scrubs naturally, not chemically, remove these dead cells, allowing your lips to better absorb moisturizing agents and protectants. If you ever apply lip balm and have to reapply 15 minutes later, your lips probably require exfoliation. DIY lip scrub recipes like the one in this article, are very simple to make and even easier to use. 

What’s In A Lip Scrub?

More often than not, a lip scrub will contain an exfoliant, such as sugar, a carrier oil, vitamin E oil, and some flavoring or scented ingredients. This pumpkin spice lip scrub in this article contains both brown and granulated sugar, sweet almond oil, vitamin E oil, and pumpkin pie spice. If you know that your lips are sensitive, consider just using brown sugar because granulated sugar can be a little intense for those with sensitive skin. 

How To Use A Lip Scrub

Wet your lips just as you would wet your face prior to cleansing. By wetting your lips, you help prevent abrasive friction. Apply the lip scrub directly to your damp lips and use small, circular motions with your fingertips to massage it in. Do this for about 30 seconds before rinsing off with lukewarm water. This process is highly beneficial if you want to soften and smooth your lips before applying lip balm or lipstick, or even if your lips are flaky from cold weather. If your lips are sunburned or have open cuts, please do not use a lip scrub because it may cause unwanted irritation. 

What Do You Do After Using A Lip Scrub?

After you scrub your lips, you have to then apply a repairing lip balm. Some people like to use pure petroleum jelly because it seals in moisture, which soothes your cleansed lips. Providing the lips with moisturizing ingredients post scrub can rehydrate the skin’s outer layer, sealing in as much moisture as possible. If you don’t like petroleum jelly, which is completely understandable, you can use this DIY lip balm. 

DIY Pumpkin Spice Lip Scrub

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 3 drops vitamin E oil
• 3 tablespoons sweet almond oil

Instructions:

• Whisk the sugars and pumpkin pie spice together in a small bowl until they are thoroughly combined. 
• Pour the vitamin E oil and sweet almond oil into the bowl and stir to combine. The mixture should be thick, just like a body scrub. 
• Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place for up to three months. 
• If your house is hot, it’s possible that the scrub may appear oily on the surface when you go to use it. Just make sure to mix it up if you see a layer of oil on the top. Then you can use it as you please.

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Summer is a time for fun in the sun, and that calls for a thorough application of sunscreen. Sure, you may lather your legs, arms and face, but chances are you skip over some important areas, according to dermatologists. In fact, most adults require one ounce (a full shot glass) of sunscreen to cover exposed skin on the entire body. That said, most people only use 25 to 50% of that amount. 

Dermatologists suggest wearing sunscreen on a daily basis, regardless of the weather. If you go swimming or sweat while wearing sunscreen, make sure to reapply after drying off. The reason that you should wear sunscreen on a daily basis is to reduce the risk of wrinkles, sun spots, and the overall appearance of the skin. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that if you experience five or more sunburns, your risk of melanoma doubles. Melanoma is potentially a deadly form of skin cancer, which is why dermatologists encourage regular sunscreen application. In fact, wearing sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher reduces your risk of skin cancer by 50%. 

Now, as mentioned earlier, you need to apply sunscreen to all areas that are exposed to the sun. Most people neglect the following areas when applying sunscreen. Make sure to get them to reduce your risk of skin cancer and advanced signs of aging. 

The Scalp

If you think that your hair protects your scalp, think again. The scalp is the highest point of the body and can burn more easily than other areas. That’s usually why your head feels itchy or hot the following day after being in the sun. To help prevent skin cancer, always apply sunscreen to your scalp and hairline. Although skin cancer on the scalp only accounts for 2-5% of all melanomas, you should still apply sunscreen as a protective measure. There are many sunscreens specifically formulated to protect the scalp without leaving behind a greasy residue. 

The Eyelids

The skin around your eyes is very thin, which makes it more susceptible to skin cancer, in addition to wrinkles and sun spots. According to available data, skin cancer on the eyelids accounts for 10% of all skin cancer cases. Many people don’t apply sunscreen around the eyes because of sensitivity issues. In order to avoid the sting, choose a mineral sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. You can also use an eye cream that contains SPF if you don’t want to use sunscreen. Lastly, don’t forget to wear sunglasses, preferably ones that have polarized lenses. 

The Ears

All the folds in the ears make them a little difficult to cover in sunscreen, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid them. Your ears get plenty of sun exposure, especially if you don’t wear a protective sun hat. Skin cancer can affect all areas of the ears, not just the tops and ear lobes. Make sure to apply sunscreen behind the ears as well because those are common areas for skin cancer development. Make sure that the sunscreen you apply is a broad-spectrum variety with an SPF of 30 or higher. 

The Feet

Obviously, you do not need to apply sunscreen to the soles of your feet. The reason for this is because a thick layer of dead skin cells offers protection. If, for whatever reason, you expose the soles of your feet to the sun, make sure to apply some sunscreen. The tops of your feet are exposed to the sun if you are not wearing full-coverage shoes. About 3-15% of melanoma skin cancer cases occur on the foot or ankle. Always self-examine your feet on a regular basis to ensure that you don’t have any irregular spots or moles. 

The Lips

As you probably know, the skin on the lips is very sensitive, which is why they are prone to dryness and chapping in the winter. Fortunately, it is easy to protect because you just need a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Applying a lip balm with an SPF is a great step towards preventing the development of skin cancers and wrinkles on the lips.

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Some people don’t seem to deal with dry or chapped lips, while others have to deal with them year-round. In the winter and spring, lip dryness occurs because of low humidity indoors, while the summer sun can zap moisture from the lips. Are you the type of person who keeps lip balms all over the place? You have one in the bathroom, one in the car, one at your desk, and one on your bedside table. If you fall into that category, then you need the lip scrub in this article. 

A lip scrub is similar to a face scrub, only it contains special ingredients that are gentle on the lips. The reason for this is because the skin on the lips is more sensitive than other parts of the face or body. Using a lip scrub can contribute to softer lips that are more hydrated and less prone to tears, discoloration, and dryness. Just as you would exfoliate your face or body, so do you need to exfoliate your lips. Moreover, lip scrubs contain moisturizing ingredients that hydrate the lips while cleaning away dead skin cells. Just make sure to use gentle exfoliants like sugar or coffee on sensitive lip skin. 

Reasons That You Need A Lip Scrub

A lip scrub should be an essential component of any skin care routine because the lips deserve as much attention as your face. The reasons that you should use a lip scrub are detailed below:

• A lip scrub helps to remedy chapped lips by removing dead skin cells with gentle exfoliants. At the same time the moisturizing ingredients provide the lips with hydration and nutrients that encourage healthier lip skin.
• A lip scrub can act like a primer that you use prior to applying your favorite lipstick. Additionally, it makes the removal process much easier.
• By massaging a lip scrub on your lips, you can help improve blood circulation, which makes your lips appear more plump and healthy. 
• A lip scrub can help protect your lips from the harmful chemicals in your favorite lipstick. 

How To Exfoliate Your Lips

Before you start scrubbing your lips, make sure that you clean your lips first. Rinse away any lip gloss, lip balm, makeup, or lipstick. Grab your lip scrub and gently exfoliate your lips using a soft bristle toothbrush or flannel cloth to get rid of dead skin. While you scrub your lips, use a humidifier to keep the air around you moist. Rinse the lip scrub away with lukewarm water and then pat dry. Apply a lip balm that has an SPF factor if you use this lip scrub in the morning. If you use the lip scrub before bed, apply a hydrating, moisturizing lip balm after patting your lips dry. 

DIY Vanilla Mint Lip Scrub

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1 tablespoon refined coconut oil

Instructions:

• Combine the white and brown sugar in a small bowl and whisk to combine. 
• Add the vanilla extract and peppermint essential oil to the sugar and stir gently. If there are lumps, use the back of a spoon to press them out. 
• If your coconut oil is solid, heat in the microwave for about 10 seconds to melt it. Once melted, drizzle into the sugar bowl and stir well to combine. 
• Spoon the mixture into a container with a lid. This scrub is sufficient for several applications and it should keep for several weeks, so long as you store it in a cool, dry place. Just make sure that no water gets into it!
• Aim to use this scrub once a week, using about one teaspoon per application. 

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There are those who can’t live without lip balms, and others who only purchase lip balms as an afterthought at the grocery store. You know those people, the ones that load their groceries on the conveyor belt and snag a lip balm just because. Lip balm is not a “just because” item, people. Your lips require extra love and attention, and the best way to do that is to supply them with natural, non-toxic ingredients. 

You can’t get much more non-toxic than making your own lip balm. And don’t worry about it costing an arm and a leg because that is not the case. Not only do the ingredients in this lip balm make your lips feel hydrated and moisturized, but they also smell incredible. In fact, this lip balm smells so great that you may want to eat it! Please don’t, though, because you don’t need to eat a combination of oils, shea butter, and beeswax. To learn more about some of the standout ingredients in this cinnamon honey lip balm, continue reading.

Honey

Honey is a great ingredient to use for dry or chapped lips. Researchers note that honey exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. It won’t heal a giant gash in your arm, but it may accelerate the healing of small cracks in the skin. Applying honey to dry or chapped lips can protect them from cracking or infection. Additionally, honey can promote healing and provide your lips with moisture. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is known for its moisturizing properties, making it an ideal ingredient for chapped lips. The reason your lips are susceptible to moisture loss is because the skin is so thin, and they are always exposed to the elements. Coconut oil is an emollient, meaning it helps to keep the skin moist and protected. Emollients trap moisture into the skin, so the best time to apply them is after bathing, or washing your face in the case of a lip balm. Research indicates that coconut oil has potential disinfecting and antimicrobial properties, which may keep your lips germ-free and protected. 

Apricot Oil

Apricot oil is a cosmetic oil made from apricot kernels. It has a variety of skin and hair care benefits, but do not ingest it, as it is only intended for cosmetic purposes. In regards to the lips, apricot oil may enhance moisture levels and prevent chapping. The skin can easily absorb this oil, and it applies with a smooth glide. Apricot oil may also soften the skin on your lips and protect them from dryness and cracking. It may even keep your lips looking soft and luscious. 

Homemade Cinnamon Honey Lip Balm

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets
• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 2 teaspoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon apricot oil
• 6 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 1 teaspoon organic raw honey
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Pour about an inch or so of water into a small saucepan and place it on the stove over medium heat. Place a heat-safe bowl on top of the saucepan to make your own double boiler. 
• Add the beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and apricot oil to the bowl and heat until completely melted, stirring occasionally. 
• Once melted, remove the bowl from heat and then stir in the cinnamon essential oil, honey, vitamin E oil, and vanilla extract. 
• Carefully pour this mixture into metal containers or lip balm tubes and allow the mixture to solidify at room temperature. 
• Once fully cooled, screw on the tops to the container or tubes and store them in a cool dry place. Use as needed.

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Some people have sensitive skin that is prone to dryness. Looking at yourself in the mirror in the middle of the day can be quite scary. You see fine lines, dry flakes, or sallow skin, and you become terrified. While it isn’t fair that others have naturally moisturized, supple skin, there are hacks that can improve hydration. It’s time to take back control of your skin and use the following hacks to rectify your dry skin. 

Load Up On Antioxidants

If you want to hydrate the skin, you have to examine your diet. You need more than emollients, humectants, and lips to nourish the skin and keep it as supple as possible. When it comes to how many antioxidants you should consume per day, there is no numerical answer, but the more the better. Dermatologists point out that the more you neutralize unstable molecules, which stem from free radical formation, the longer you can protect your skin cells. Not only do antioxidants protect your skin from free radical damage, but they also improve your skin’s ability to retain moisture. Additionally antioxidants decrease inflammation to enhance skin barrier function. Antioxidants help reduce transepidermal water loss, a process in which water leaks out of the epidermis into the air around you. 

Shower Sandwiching

Before you jump to conclusions, don’t take a sandwich into the shower. Shower sandwiching is a favorite ritual among people with dry skin. Apply body oil before and after a shower, also known as shower sandwiching. Applying oil after a shower is a familiar practice, but the before part is surprising for some. When you oil up before a shower, the oil barrier prevents excessive water loss in the shower, helping you avoid any irritation. Standing in a hot shower for too long can dissolve the body’s natural lipid barrier, making it more susceptible to dryness and irritation. When you layer a protective shield of oil beforehand, the skin has a buffer against the hot water. After you get out of the shower, reapply the same body oil over slightly damp skin to trap moisture in the skin and nourish the skin barrier. 

Nourish Your Skin Barrier

If your skin barrier is healthy, your skin should remain hydrated and smooth, as opposed to flaky and dry. If you suffer from dry skin, chances are that you need to rebuild your skin barrier. Seek out ingredients like ceramics, which are like building blocks within the skin. Ceramides work to regenerate the skin’s natural barrier. Additionally, you can incorporate other ingredients into your skin barrier-boosting routine. Panthenol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin all work to trap moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss. 

Choose The Right Lip Balm

A lip balm is simple in theory, but it should contain three things in order for it to be effective. There’s nothing worse than applying a lip balm that leaves your lips drier than they felt before application. A great lip balm should keep your lips hydrated for hours, so you only need to reapply a couple times throughout the day. In order to keep your lips hydrated, a lip balm should contain occlusives, emollients, and humectants. Occlusives create a protective seal on top of the skin, humectants attract water, and emollients support the barrier and repair micro cracks in the skin. Together, this trio can effectively hydrate your lips.

Multi-Moisturizing

When it comes to hydrators, the texture can make or break the experience. There are those who prefer spreadable formulas because they provide all-over coverage. Other people prefer dense creams that sink in the skin. The hydrating solution you use ultimately comes down to what you prefer and how the moisturizing experience is for you. Depending on the time of year and how your skin feels, you may need to switch creams, lotions, or body butters. Multi-moisturizing is a great way to care for your body. This concept is not new and it used to involve applying multiple formulas to your face to target your skin’s unique needs. You may need to use different products depending on what particular areas of the body need. Larger areas may require spreadable lotions, while areas that require extra attention may need body creams. And hand cream is a must to replenish moisture on the hands!

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If you want your lips to feel soft and hydrated, using a DIY nourishing lip balm may be your best bet. Oftentimes, store bought lip balms contain ingredients that can actually cause dryness. Your efforts to moisturize them with the lip balm cancel out because the ingredients don’t work together to seal in moisture. Fortunately, the ingredients in this DIY lip balm recipe work to soothe chapped lips. 

What Is Sea Moss?

Contrary to what you may think, sea moss is not merely moss that exists in the sea. Sea moss is a type of red algae that grows on rocks in deep ocean water. Similar to other algae species, sea moss contains a rich nutritional profile. It exhibits beneficial antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help benefit the skin. The zinc, potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, magnesium, and other vitamins help encourage healthier skin. Let’s explore some of sea moss’ benefits below. 

It Is Moisturizing

According to studies, algae is a better humectant than hyaluronic acid when used topically. Sea moss, in particular, exhibits moisturizing properties, which experts attribute to the high polysaccharide content. Carrageenan, specifically, acts as a thickening agent that forms a protective, occlusive film on the skin. That film-forming property is why sea moss is such a great moisturizer. Carrageenan gives skin care products their signature thick and rich feel because it binds to water to help the skin hold onto moisture. 

Helps Protect Skin Barrier

As mentioned previously, sea moss leaves a film over the skin that is very similar, on a structural level, to the skin’s own proteins. For that reason, sea moss forms a protective seal over the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer. By sealing in moisture and protecting the skin from external aggressors, you can maintain hydration and skin barrier function.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

According to several studies, the high concentration of zinc and sulfur makes sea moss a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient. If you have dry or chapped skin, or other skin concerns, sea moss may provide some relief. Other studies revealed that sea moss may give the skin extra photo-protection against UVB exposure. Plus, the carrageenan we mentioned exhibit antibacterial properties. 

Can You Use Sea Moss On Your Lips?

A lot of people consume sea moss to help improve immune and thyroid function, as it’s a great source of vitamin C and iodine. Sea moss is also rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A, all of which promote healthier skin. Sea moss can be used on the lips to help prevent chapping, but slathering sea moss on your lips is less than ideal. That’s why you can incorporate it into a lip balm, lip scrub, or lip gloss to reap its benefits. 

DIY Sea Moss Lip Balm

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sea moss oil
• 1/2 ounce beeswax pellets
• 5-10 drops essential oils of choice (geranium, lavender, or frankincense are great)

Instructions:

• Fill a medium saucepan with about an inch or two of water and place over medium-low heat. 
• Fill a small, heat-safe glass jar with dried sea moss and place it in the saucepan. Pour enough of your favorite carrier oil into the jar and let the oil infuse for a couple hours. Olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil are all great options. 
• After the time elapses, carefully remove the jar from the saucepan. Strain the oil into a heat-safe vessel and set aside to cool. 
• Add the beeswax to the top of a double boiler over medium-low heat. Make sure that the water in the bottom portion is simmering. 
• Once the beeswax melts, remove from the heat and stir in the sea moss oil and essential oil. Pour that mixture into lip balm tubs or tins and allow them to cool at room temperature. Use a funnel to pour to make your life easier. 
• Once they harden, cap the tins or tubes and use as needed to restore moisture to the lips.

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If there’s one thing that all adults have in common, it’s that they have experienced chapped lips. Clinically called cheilitis, chapped lips appear red, dry, flaky, or swollen, and you experience soreness, itchiness, or burning. The lips, and the surrounding border, can suffer from these symptoms. The feeling is incredibly annoying, but you’re in luck because there are numerous remedies that can soothe the situation.

The skin on the lips is much thinner and more delicate than it is on other areas of the body. Because the lips are always exposed to the sun, cold, and dry air, they are much more prone to dryness, flaking, peeling, and cracking. The unfortunate phenomenon of chapped lips is because the lips lack oil glands. That means that they can’t produce their own moisture; however, natural moisturizers can offer relief. Below, you’ll learn about expert tips to soothe chapped lips quickly and naturally.

Try “Lip Slugging” Before Bed

Some swear by this trend, which has been popularized on TikTok. “Slugging” involves slathering your skin with a petrolatum-based product that acts as an occlusive. That means that the product seals moisture into the skin. Why the name “slugging,” you ask? The name comes from the fact that slugs leave a slimy trail behind. Although the origin of the name sounds gross, slugging may positively impact your lips. Use a moisturizer or hyaluronic acid serum on your lips and top that with a coat of Vaseline or Aquaphor to avoid chapping overnight. 

Exfoliate Your Lips

Have you ever seen lip scrubs? You may not think that the lips require exfoliation, but gently exfoliating them may help remove dry skin. Dry skin on the lips can prevent the healing ingredients in lip balms from reaching the area to fix the problem. That’s why beauty experts encourage you to scrub this layer of dry skin away with lip scrubs that contain baking soda or sugar. When choosing a lip scrub, make sure the ingredient list contains ingredients that soothe and moisturize the lips. If you want to make your own lip scrub, click here. 

Change Up Your Lip Balm

Lips can dry out for a variety of reasons, according to dermatologists. Cold weather, hot weather, forced indoor heat or air conditioning, contact dermatitis, and lip licking can all cause lips to chap. A common trigger, believe it or not, is your lip balm that you got at a random store. More often than not, these lip balms make your lips produce less of their own moisture, making them feel dryer and rough. You apply more lip balm and the cycle continues. Menthol, camphor, fragrances, and phenol can irritate your lips, but so can eucalyptus, salicylic acid, and flavorings. If your lip balm tingles your lips, it is probably irritating them, so treat your lips with the balm they deserve. Try to choose a balm that contains lip-friendly ingredients, such as petrolatum, shea butter, dimethicone, and ceramides. 

Drink Water

One of the major causes of chapped lips is dehydration. You may not experience chapped lips if you are slightly dehydrated, but avoiding water throughout the day can increase the risk of dry or cracked lips. Dehydration, of course, occurs when the body loses more fluid than you take in. The body starts to pull water from certain areas to ensure that cells stay hydrated. That can cause dryness all over the body, including the lips. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day to stay properly hydrated, adjusting that figure if you exercise. 

Remove Lipstick Gently

It’s important to understand that long-wear or matte lipstick has a drying effect on your lips. If you suffer from chapped lips, or you find that certain lipsticks aggravate dryness, you may need to find a new lipstick. Lip gloss may serve as a better temporary option while you figure out a better option for lipstick. Although lip gloss isn’t hydrating, it doesn’t dry either. Anyways, when you remove lipstick, dermatologists suggest using a gentle makeup remover, as opposed to scrubbing your lips. Micellar water, for example, works like a charm on the reddest of red lipsticks!

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