How to Get Rid of Chapped Lips
Discover how to get rid of chapped lips and reveal your softest, juiciest pout.
Turns out, chapped lips aren’t just a winter problem. They show up in the summer too. From icy wind and dry indoor heat to scorching sun and salty beach air, your lips go through a lot year-round. So how do you get rid of chapped lips once and for all? This guide breaks down what causes them, how to heal them fast, and the best ways to prevent future flare-ups year-round.
What Causes Chapped Lips?
Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips don’t have oil glands, which means they can’t produce their own moisture. That’s why they’re especially vulnerable to dry air, cold weather, and sun exposure. But those aren’t the only culprits.
Here are some of the most common causes of chapped lips:
• Licking your lips: Saliva evaporates quickly and leaves lips drier than before.
• Dehydration: Not drinking enough water affects your entire body including your pout.
• Irritating ingredients: Lip balms with menthol, camphor, or fragrances may feel soothing at first, but they often make dryness worse.
• Allergic reaction: Certain lip products or toothpaste ingredients can trigger irritation and lead to dryness and chapping.
• Sun damage: Lips need SPF too! Too much sun can lead to cracked lips, peeling, or even actinic cheilitis, a precancerous condition.
• Dry environments: Whether it’s a heated room or windy day, dry air pulls moisture from your skin and lips leaving them feeling parched.
• Cold weather: Low temps and wind are the perfect recipe for lip chapping.
How to Get Rid of Chapped Lips
Ready to give your lips the TLC they deserve? Here’s how to treat chapped lips effectively so you can keep them soft, smooth, and kissable all year long.
1. Use a Healing Lip Balm
First things first, your lips need moisture. When it comes to treating chapped lips fast, the best thing you can do is invest in a high quality, deeply hydrating lip treatment. This could be a lip balm, lip oil, or lip butter. Either way, your lips need moisture — and plenty of it!
Look for moisturizing formulas packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, petroleum jelly, beeswax, shea butter, lanolin, soconut oil, dimethicone, and glycerin.
These ingredients lock in moisture and help repair the delicate skin barrier. Bonus points if your balm is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic — two features dermatologists often recommend, especially for sensitive lips. Always reapply your lip balm after eating, drinking, or wiping your lips.
2. Exfoliate Away Flaky Skin
Dry, peeling lips? Don’t pick — exfoliate. A gentle lip scrub removes dead skin cells so your balm can sink in better. You can use a store-bought scrub or make one at home with sugar and coconut oil. Massage it in using small, circular motions, then rinse and apply balm.
You’ll notice how much softer and smoother your lips feel after exfoliating. Just remember to limit lip exfoliation to no more than once a week to avoid irritation and further chapping.
3. Slather on an Overnight Lip Treatment
Night is prime time for healing. Before bed, apply a thick layer of Vaseline, mineral oil, or a lip treatment packed with ceramides, vitamin E, and shea butter. These occlusive ingredients trap moisture while you sleep.
Don’t forget to use a humidifier in your bedroom. It adds moisture back into the air, which helps your lips and your dry skin stay hydrated.
4. Hydrate from the Inside Out
Moving onto wellness. If you’re not drinking enough water, your lips will tell you. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration, especially if you’re spending time in the sun, drinking coffee, or exercising. Dehydrated skin often shows up first as dry lips or tight, uncomfortable flaky skin.
Pair your water habit with water-rich foods (like cucumber or watermelon), and you’ll see a difference quickly. Think: softer, smoother, juicier lips.
5. Protect Your Lips from the Sun
Lips are just as vulnerable to sun damage as your face, but many people forget to protect them. Choose a lip balm with SPF (ideally one that uses zinc oxide or titanium oxide which dermatologists often recommend for sensitive skin). Reapply every two hours, especially if you’re swimming or sweating.
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How to Prevent Chapped Lips
You’ve healed your lips, now let’s keep them soft and sumptuous. Here are some tips on how to prevent lip chapping.
1. Make Lip Care Part of Your Skincare Routine
Don’t treat your lips like an afterthought. Treat them like part of your daily skincare routine. Just like you apply moisturizer to your face, use a nourishing lip oil or balm morning and night.
2. Watch What’s in Your Lip Products
Check your lip products for drying or irritating ingredients. Ditch anything with alcohol, menthol, or strong fragrances. Look instead for nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, ceramides, coconut oil, aloe vera, beeswax, and shea butter. These moisturizing heroes soften your lips while helping them retain hydration.
3. Avoid Licking or Picking
It’s tempting but resist the urge to lick or peel your lips. Saliva evaporates fast and makes dry lips even drier, while picking can lead to cracks or even infections. Keep a lip balm or oil in your bag, car, or desk so you can treat dryness before it gets worse.
4. Check in with a Dermatologist
If your lips stay persistently dry, cracked, or irritated — even after using the right products — it might be time to call in the pros. A dermatologist can rule out issues like allergic reaction, actinic cheilitis, or contact dermatitis.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends seeing a professional if your chapped lips don’t heal after a couple of weeks with at-home care.
FAQs: How to Treat and Heal Chapped Lips
Still got questions about how to get rid of chapped lips and more? We’ve got answers for you.
What’s the Best Ingredient to Treat Chapped Lips?
Coconut oil, ceramides, vitamin E, shea butter, and petroleum jelly top the list. These ingredients trap moisture and help heal skin fast.
Can I Use Vaseline on My Lips Every Day?
Yes! Vaseline is a great occlusive that seals in moisture, especially when paired with a hydrating balm underneath.
Do I Need a Special Balm with SPF?
Absolutely. Lips are prone to sun damage. Choose a balm with SPF 15 or higher, and look for zinc oxide or titanium oxide for sensitive lips.
Why are My Lips Always Dry Even When I Use Lip Balm?
There could be a few reasons. You might be using a balm with irritating ingredients, or you may not be exfoliating away dead skin cells. Try switching to a lip oil which can be more hydrating and nourishing.
When Should I See a Doctor About Chapped Lips?
If your lips stay cracked, swollen, or develop white patches, see a healthcare provider or dermatologist. It could be a sign of something more serious.
When it comes to how to get rid of chapped lips — consistency is everything. The right lip care routine paired with a little patience can transform your dry, flaky pout. Use lip oil or balm with nourishing ingredients, avoid irritants, and don’t forget your SPF. Once you start showing your lips some love, you’ll soon see the payoff: soft, luscious, ultra-juicy lips.
Feature photo by RDNE Stock project, Pexels
