How can you soothe a sunburn on your lips?

The skin on the lips is particularly thin, fragile, sensitive and delicate, making it more vulnerable to UV rays than the skin on other parts of the body. The lips contain very little or virtually no melanin, so they cannot tan and have very little natural protection against the sun’s rays. Furthermore, they contain neither sweat glands nor sebaceous glands and can therefore dry out and become damaged more easily in the sun than other parts of the body. Finally, when we apply sun cream to our face, our lips are often forgotten or neglected. Yet they are just as exposed to UV rays. Sunburn can happen in no time at all!

Sunburn on the lips can be painful and uncomfortable. Symptoms appear within hours of exposure and usually last between 3 and 5 days, but can persist for up to two weeks. The symptoms of sunburn on the lips are:

• redness

• heat, a burning sensation

• swelling

• tightness and pain

• small blisters or vesicles typical of cold sores (or herpes) may appear (though not always)

We advise against touching or popping these small blisters; they will subside naturally over the course of a few days. If your blisters are too painful or show signs of infection, if you feel dizzy or have a fever, or if you are in any doubt, see a doctor straight away. During the natural healing process, the lips become dry, chapped and then peel.

1 – Cool the burn

The first thing to do if you’ve got sunburn on your lips is to cool the affected area. To do this, you can:

• run a gentle stream of lukewarm or slightly cool water (not cold water) over your lips, or apply a washcloth or compress soaked in plain water. Repeat this very regularly in the hours following the sunburn.

• Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids (at least 1.5 litres a day) in the days following the sunburn to bring down the temperature and rehydrate the tissues. Consider using a straw if drinking is painful for your lips.

2 – Moisturise your skin

The second step is to moisturise your skin to prevent it from drying out, minimise flaking and promote healing and regeneration. To do this, you can use:

• A floral water of your choice, which you can spray directly onto your lips or soak into a sterile compress and apply to your lips. You can use Lavandula aspic hydrosol, peppermint hydrosol, Roman chamomile hydrosol or even Calendula hydrosol for their refreshing effect and their soothing, calming, anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties.

• Aloe vera gel: for its many properties that are particularly well-suited to treating sunburn. It soothes, intensely moisturises, refreshes, repairs, cleanses and promotes the healing of the delicate skin on your sunburnt lips. It also reduces the risk of peeling. You can apply the aloe vera gel directly to your lips and massage it in gently. Repeat as often as necessary.

• A cold infusion of Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) for their soothing, anti-inflammatory, healing and pain-relieving properties. Steep a pinch of the herb in simmering water for about ten minutes, strain, then leave to cool completely. Apply a compress soaked in the cold infusion to your lips for 15 minutes, regularly throughout the day.

3 – Deeply nourish your lips

The third step: deeply nourish your lips to promote healing, restore the hydrolipidic film, protect the damaged skin and minimise flaking. For this, nothing beats plant oils, oil macerates or plant butters with their softening, nourishing, protective, restorative and soothing properties. You can choose:

• apricot kernel oil, calendula oil macerate, St. John’s Wort oil macerate or even raspberry seed oil.

• Raw Nilotica Shea vegetable butter, avocado butter or olive plant butter Several times a day: apply a small amount of the oil or butter of your choice to your lips and the area around them, then massage gently to help it absorb.

You can also use a nourishing lip balm or make your own at home using our Aroma-Zone actives and ingredients, following our easy recipes (which you can find below).

Preventative measures we recommend to protect your lips from sunburn.

Use a product with strong sun protection (SPF 30 or 50)

Use a lip balm with SPF whether you’re in the mountains, at the seaside or simply on days when the sun’s UV index is above 3. Apply it regularly throughout the day, especially after drinking, eating or swimming.

You can buy a ready-made balm or make your own at home.

Here is an easy recipe for Aroma-Zone’s Sea and Mountain Sunscreen Stick to make at home using our Natural Sunscreen Cosmetic Active, made from Beeswax (white), from our Melt & Pour Make-up Base Stick and a natural cosmetic fragrance. If you don’t have any lip balm with SPF to hand, you can use your usual facial sun cream (we recommend choosing one that is as natural as possible). Apply a generous amount of cream to your lips and the surrounding area regularly throughout the day to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Avoid exposing your lips to the sun’s UV rays as much as possible.

Make sure you wear a wide-brimmed hat or a cap, or ensure your face is in the shade.

Our lips contain little or no melanin and therefore cannot (or can only very slightly) tan. They will therefore tend to burn rather than tan when overexposed to the sun’s UVB rays.

It is recommended that you consult a dermatologist in several cases relating to sunburn on the lips. If the symptoms of sunburn on the lips are severe and persist for more than a few days, it is advisable to book an appointment with a skin care professional. You should consult a dermatologist if you experience:

1. Painful blisters or signs of infection: If blisters appear on your lips and are particularly painful, or if they show signs of infection such as redness, excessive heat, or pus discharge, it is essential to consult a dermatologist for appropriate treatment.

2. Dizziness or fever: If you experience dizziness, a fever or any other unusual symptoms following sunburn on your lips, consult a skin specialist promptly. These symptoms could indicate a more serious reaction to sun exposure.

3. Uncertainty about the severity of the condition: If you are unsure about the severity of your sunburn on your lips or how to treat it effectively, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist. A skin specialist will be able to give you specific advice and recommend the best treatments to relieve the pain and promote healing of your lips.

Here are a few easy recipes you can make at home to soothe and heal your sunburnt lips.

• Our Aroma-Zone homemade recipe for Cocoa Butter Lip Balm, made with organic white cocoa butter and grapefruit essential oil

• Our homemade Aroma-Zone recipe for Gentle Chamomile Lip Balm, made with organic raw shea butter, organic calendula oil macerate, white beeswax, liquid honey, organic French Roman chamomile essential oil and organic bisabolol

• Our homemade Aroma-Zone ‘Honey Softness’ lip balm recipe, made with organic calendula oil macerate, shea butter, organic beeswax (yellow), organic wheat germ oil, the emollient vegetable glycerine, liquid honey, a natural cosmetic fragrance and the antioxidant vitamin E.

Stéphanie Catrysse is a naturopath (certified by the FENA), a wellness massage and lymphatic drainage practitioner, and a personal development coach. She is passionate about alternative medicine and practices a holistic approach to health.