How to Treat Dry and Chapped Lips

Drink plenty of water. Aim for 8-10 glasses of water daily. Dehydration quickly shows on your lips, so staying hydrated is key!

• Drink water consistently throughout the day rather than all at once. Hydration won’t fix your lips instantly, but it’s essential for long-term improvement.

Avoid licking or peeling dry skin on your lips. When your lips are dry, refrain from constantly licking them or peeling off dry skin. These habits can worsen the condition. While licking might provide temporary relief, it dries out your lips further as the saliva evaporates. Peeling can lead to bleeding, inflammation, or sores.

• If you feel the urge to lick or peel, apply lip balm immediately.
• Reapply lip balm or ointment after drinking water or washing your mouth.

Exfoliate your lips. Before applying any treatment, gently exfoliate your lips to reveal fresh skin and promote healing. Avoid harsh scrubbing, which can worsen the condition. Instead, use a soft touch. You can exfoliate with items you might already use for other parts of your body. Try one of the following:

• Use salt or sugar as a scrub. Apply either to your lips and massage in circular motions to remove dead skin (you can also mix sugar with olive oil for added moisture). Your lips will feel softer and smoother.
• Use an exfoliating brush. A clean toothbrush works well! Ensure it’s clean and use gentle circular motions to remove dead skin.
• Avoid soap-based exfoliants. Face washes with exfoliating beads or soap-based scrubs can dry out your lips further.

Apply ointment. Carefully choose over-the-counter treatments or lip balms to heal chapped lips. Many products contain ingredients like camphor or petroleum jelly, which provide temporary relief but may dry out your lips over time, requiring frequent reapplication.

• Opt for lip balms with natural moisturizers like beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, or almond oil. Avoid products with unpronounceable ingredients.
• Vitamin E or glycerin-based ointments with natural ingredients are also effective.
• Avoid using lipstick for hydration. Lipstick can dry out your lips, so apply a protective ointment underneath. In some cases, you might be allergic to lipstick or red dye #40, commonly found in formulas, which can cause discomfort or red bumps.

Apply oil. To boost moisture, apply a small amount of oil to your lips. This soothes, hydrates, and protects them from further damage. Use natural moisturizers like coconut oil or nut butters:

• Coconut oil
• Almond oil
• Jojoba oil
• Olive oil
• Cocoa butter or shea butter
• Rosehip oil

Soothe lip pain. If your lips are cracked and painful when you smile, try home remedies to ease discomfort. Here are some suggestions:

• Apply a slice of cucumber to your lips daily for about 10 minutes.
• Use aloe vera gel to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Apply honey to moisturize and soothe your lips.
• Use a fragrance-free lip balm with natural oils or butters, such as coconut oil or shea butter.

Avoid overusing industrial skincare methods. These often include fragranced cosmetics and lip balms, which can dry out your skin.

• Always check product labels for fragrances in the ingredients list. These can cause a burning sensation or irritation, making your lips worse.

Try fluoride-free toothpaste. Some people are allergic to fluoride, which not only affects the lips but can also cause other oral irritations. Switch your toothpaste and see if you notice a difference.

Use a humidifier at home or in the office. The heat from indoor heaters during winter dries out the air. Consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your room and benefit your lips.

Evaluate your diet. Increase essential vitamins in your diet through healthy eating or vitamin supplements.

• Avoid salty foods that make you lick your lips more often. A diet high in salt and salty snacks can lead to dry lips.
• Additionally, avoid caffeinated drinks to reduce the urge to lick your lips.
• Carbonated drinks are also a culprit due to their caffeine and salt content. Opt for alternative beverages instead.

Try to avoid sleeping with your mouth open or breathing through it. If your lips are dry and chapped in the morning, you might be sleeping with your mouth open. Air passing through your mouth all night can dry out your lips. Experiment with changing your sleeping position to see if it helps.

• Dry, chapped lips can also result from mouth breathing due to nasal congestion. Clear your nasal passages to breathe easily through your nose.
• Using dental guards, retainers, or other devices that keep your mouth open can also cause dry lips.
• If you can’t avoid sleeping with your mouth open, apply a lip moisturizer before bed.
• If you frequently sleep with your mouth open and feel fatigued, consult a doctor to rule out underlying health issues.

Protect your lips from harsh environmental conditions. Failing to shield your lips on windy days can damage them. Lips also dry out and crack in extremely dry environments. If outdoor conditions are the main cause of your dry lips, make lip care a priority whenever you go outside.

Treat sun damage. Just like your skin, your lips can be affected by sunlight. Lips can get sunburned, and it can be very painful! Apply aloe vera gel to sunburned lips to help them heal faster.

• Don’t wait until your lips are sun-damaged to take action! Prevent this by always using a lip product with SPF, such as a lip balm with at least SPF 15.

Smoking or eating habits can also cause chapped lips. Anything that frequently comes into contact with your lips can affect their condition. Chemicals in cigarettes, chewing gum, and processed snacks can dry out and crack your lips.

Consider whether a vitamin deficiency might be the cause. Certain vitamins, such as A, B, C, and B2 (Riboflavin), are essential for maintaining healthy skin and lips. Ensure you’re getting enough of these vitamins to prevent chapped lips.

Could you be sensitive or allergic to an ingredient in a product? Dry, flaky lips might also result from a reaction to ingredients in cosmetics or skincare products you’re using. Overusing these products can worsen chapped lips.

• Opt for toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate. This foaming agent, found in most toothpastes, can exacerbate mouth sores and chapped lips.

Consider medication side effects. Some medications have side effects that lead to dry or chapped lips. If this occurs after starting a new medication, discuss the possibility with your doctor.

Evaluate other serious health conditions. If the above factors aren’t causing your lip pain, you might be experiencing symptoms of a more serious condition. Consult a doctor if you suspect your chapped lips are linked to an underlying illness. Here are some related conditions:

• Diabetes. If you or a family member has a history of diabetes, it could be a contributing factor to your dry, painful lips.
• Kawasaki disease. A rare blood disorder that can cause chronic dry lips.
• Sjogren’s syndrome. An autoimmune condition that damages tear and salivary glands, leading to dry eyes, mouth, mucous membranes, and severely chapped lips.
• Macrocytosis. A blood disorder where red blood cells grow abnormally large.
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs, oral herpes (HSV-1), HIV, and other conditions can also cause chronic chapped lips.

• Applying coconut oil to your lips can be effective.
• Avoid peeling dead skin off your lips, as it can worsen the condition. Instead, use a treatment to gently remove dead skin before applying lip balm.
• Try almond oil to soothe lip pain.
• Apply a thick layer of your chosen lip product before bed to avoid interference from eating, kissing, etc.
• Avoid touching your lips to prevent pain or bleeding.
• Make a lip scrub using olive oil and sugar.
• Apply cucumber slices to your lips for 5 to 20 minutes.
• Use a medicated lip balm that works for you.
• Don’t rub lip balm by pressing your lips together. Gently apply it with your finger and reapply if your lips still feel dry.
• Petroleum jelly can also soothe pain and soften your lips.
• Don’t lick your lips. While it may feel soothing initially, saliva dries them out further.
• Use a lip balm made from 100% natural beeswax.

• Never use hard tools to scrub your lips, such as nail files or stiff brushes.
• Always consult a doctor for diagnosing any medical condition, especially if symptoms persist despite care. For lip concerns, a dermatologist is best qualified to assess your condition.