How to Heal Chapped Lips

Look for lip care products containing petroleum jelly. The most well-known brand is Vaseline, but lesser-known products can also be effective. Although there have been concerns in Europe about the safety of petroleum-based products, these concerns have been addressed, and petroleum jelly is considered safe. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to lock in moisture, prevent dry lips, and reduce chapped lips.

Use products containing dimethicone on your lips. Dimethicone is a moisturizing agent that helps treat peeling and irritation when skin loses moisture and addresses issues causing chapped lips. However, exercise caution when using dimethicone-based products on your lips, as this substance can be harmful if ingested. While this is rare, those who tend to lick their lips should be extra careful.

Avoid products with harmful ingredients. Lip balms that give a cooling sensation can feel soothing when applied, but they often contribute to drying out your lips, making chapping worse. If you spot ingredients like eucalyptus, menthol, or camphor, it's best to opt for different products.

Apply lip balm before bedtime. This way, the balm will keep your lips hydrated overnight, and you'll wake up with softer, less cracked lips. This is especially effective for those who frequently wear lipstick, as cracks and peeling are less noticeable when you apply makeup in the morning.

Consider whether your lips are exposed to allergens. If you experience persistent chapped lips despite regularly using lip balm, you may have an allergy. The allergen could be something you eat, like peanuts, or an ingredient in the lip products you use. Common allergens in lip care items include beeswax, shea butter, castor oil, and soybean oil. If this is the case, switch from plant-based moisturizers to petroleum-based products.

• You may need corticosteroid cream treatment. Apply the cream with your fingers to soothe irritation or treat contact dermatitis on your lips, known as cheilitis.

Drink enough water. Staying hydrated is essential for most bodily functions and overall health. When you're dehydrated, your skin – the body's largest organ – also dries out, which can lead to chapped lips. The U.S. Institute of Medicine recommends that adult women drink at least 9 cups of water daily, while adult men should drink at least 13 cups. This water intake includes all beverages, like coffee, fruit juices, and even the liquid content in food.

Avoid activities that could further harm your lips. Simply following the healing steps and moisturizing your lips is not enough. You must also avoid behaviors that could hinder the healing process. Common actions that cause lip irritation include peeling or biting the flaky skin and trying to exfoliate your lips while they are still healing.

Consult a dermatologist. If your lips don't respond to the treatments mentioned, there might be an underlying condition that requires treatment. For example, swollen lips could be a symptom of Crohn's disease, which causes inflammation in the lymphatic system. A dermatologist can provide expert advice based on a thorough examination of your condition.

Take preventive measures with lip care products. Don't wait until your lips become swollen and cracked before starting treatment. Even if your lips are still healthy, you should take care of them with lip balms or ointments that moisturize and lock in hydration to prevent any future chapping.

Exfoliate your lips when they are healthy. You should avoid irritating cracked lips, but exfoliating healthy lips is an essential part of skincare. You can purchase lip exfoliating products at most beauty stores; these products come in stick form and work to remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of your lips. Simple household ingredients can also be used for exfoliation. Just mix some sugar with olive oil and gently rub the mixture onto your lips using your fingertips.

• Do not scrub too harshly, as this could lead to irritation and chapped lips.
• Moisturize your lips with a hydrating balm immediately after exfoliating.

Avoid licking your lips. Many people tend to lick their lips without realizing this fact. You might think this behavior is harmless since, after all, the lips get moisturized from the outside, right? In reality, it’s the opposite: when saliva evaporates, it dries out the lips, and moreover, licking your lips causes the natural oils that help keep your lips healthy to be lost. Try to break the habit of licking your lips.

Protect your lips from the sun's harmful effects. Lips have very little melanin (the pigment that protects against UV rays). Therefore, your lips are at risk of sun damage every time you step outside, leading to dryness, cracking, and chapped lips. In more severe cases, it could even contribute to the development of skin cancer. Sun exposure can also trigger cold sores. To avoid these risks and others, always apply a lip balm with sun protection. Most lip balms have a relatively low SPF of 15, which can be used daily; however, if you're planning to be out in the sun all day at the beach or working outdoors, make sure to use a lip balm with a higher SPF, similar to the one you'd apply to your skin.

Maintain good oral hygiene. You need to keep your lips, teeth, gums, and mouth healthy by following oral care guidelines, including brushing your teeth twice a day after meals with fluoride toothpaste. Clean your toothbrush after each use and store it in a well-ventilated place to prevent bacteria from growing. Don't forget to floss and visit the dentist every 6 to 12 months for a professional cleaning. Proper oral hygiene reduces the risk of infections and can help prevent and/or heal chapped lips more quickly.

• If you're experiencing pain from a cold sore, apply an ice pack immediately.
• Use a humidifier at night and apply lip balm before bed.
• Vaseline, when used for at least a week, can help heal cracked lips and flaking skin.
• Apply Vaseline to your lips at night before sleeping. It will moisturize your lips, and by morning, your cracked, blistered lips will feel much better!
• Avoid touching your lips. Bacteria on your fingers can spread to your lips, causing further irritation and slowing down the healing process.
• Don't use scented lip balms, as they may cause more irritation!
• Try using lip balms in stick form rather than in a jar. Bacteria from your fingers can transfer to the balm and infect your lips.
• Use colorless lip balm or ice cubes on your lips.
• Avoid picking at dry, cracked lips.

• Avoid peeling dry skin from your lips. Doing so may cause bleeding.