5 Ways to Get Rid of Chapped Lips for Good
Chapped lips are so frustrating. You apply balm and apply balm, and still, you have flaking, dryness, and sometimes, bleeding.
You try to disguise them, but applying lipstick or lip gloss over dry, cracked lips only makes them look worse!
Why is it so hard to maintain smooth, hydrated lips? Is there any way to get rid of chapped lips for good?
Why Can’t I Get Rid of My Chapped Lips?
It’s true—the skin on your lips is different than the skin on most of the rest of your body. The lips don’t have any oil glands to keep them hydrated. (That’s why they don’t have pores.) If they lose even a little moisture, they become dry and chapped. It also makes them more vulnerable to environmental elements like the sun, pollution, and dry air.
Why lips dry out so quickly:
- Lack of oil glands: The lips can’t produce their own oils, so they are much more vulnerable to dryness.
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- Thin skin barrier: The skin on the lips is much thinner than the skin on the rest of the body. That means the outer barrier is less resistant to damage.
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- Constant exposure: The lips are rarely covered like much of the body’s skin. They are nearly always exposed to the wind, cold, sun, and dry air.
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- Frequent movement: Talking, eating, drinking, and licking your lips all contribute to moisture loss.
The lips are more fragile than other areas, so they need extra protection to stay soft and healthy.
What Makes Chapped Lips Worse?
In addition to the fact that the lips are naturally vulnerable to dryness, several other factors can make dryness worse.
- Licking your lips: As mentioned above, licking your lips contributes to dryness. Saliva evaporates quickly, taking whatever moisture the lips have with it. So every time you lick your lips, you leave them drier than before.
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- Breathing through your mouth: That air going in and out of your mouth dries your lips every time it goes by.
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- Not drinking enough water: Dehydration affects the entire body, including the lips. Without enough water inside, lips cannot stay moist on the outside.
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- Eating spicy or salty foods: Ingredients in these foods can irritate already chapped lips and lead to further inflammation.
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These are all things we do that can rob our lips of moisture. But it’s not only our actions that can make things worse—the products we use to fix them can, too!
Products That Make Chapped Lips Worse
Unfortunately, some over-the-counter lip balms and lip moisturizing products contain ingredients that are not good for the lips. Some will not help the lips get any better, while others may even exacerbate dryness and inflammation.
Fragrances and flavors: That berry lip balm may taste good, but the flavors are made up of chemicals that could be drying out your lips. Fragrances, too, may be made up of chemicals that irritate the skin.
Menthol and camphor: These ingredients create a cooling sensation when applied but can also dry out your lips further.
Salicylic acid: Some lip balms contain this acid—supposedly to help remove dead skin cells from the surface of the lips. But if you have sensitive skin or lips that are already chapped, this ingredient may be too harsh and could lead to more peeling.
Petroleum Jelly: It can lock in moisture, but it doesn’t actually hydrate, so if your lips are dry, there’s no moisture to lock in, and it’s not going to help. Over time, relying on this ingredient may lead to additional dryness, as it creates a barrier without adding moisture, potentially preventing your lips from absorbing moisture from any other nourishing products you may use.
To avoid these ingredients, always read the label on your product. Look for alternatives that don’t include petrolatum or mineral oil, which may be harmful to the skin and body. Good options include aloe, shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax, which all provide long-lasting moisture.
5 Ways to Get Rid of Chapped Lips
You know what to avoid. But what works? We’ve got some tips for you below.
1. Use the Right Healing Balm (Try Our CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm)
The balm you choose makes a big difference in how healthy and smooth your lips are. We recommend our hypoallergenic CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm because it’s packed with skin-healing ingredients like chamomile, calendula, beeswax, and bisabolol, which help soothe inflammation while deeply hydrating dry, chapped lips.
Ingredients like castor seed oil and sea buckthorn provide antioxidant properties, and can help restore damaged skin and even out any discoloration in lips. Plus, unlike traditional balms that just coat your lips, this formula helps restore their natural barrier, so moisture stays locked in longer.
Bonus: It’s petrolatum and mineral oil free!
2. Exfoliate Gently (But Not Too Often)
Like the rest of your skin, your lips need exfoliation to remove dead, flaky skin. But because of their tenderness, they require a gentler touch. Over-exfoliating can do more harm than good. The key is to use a gentle product 1-3 times a week, depending on how your lips respond.
Some effective options include:
- A homemade sugar and honey scrub (mix a teaspoon of sugar with a few drops of honey and gently massage into the lips).
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- A soft-bristled toothbrush (lightly buff lips in circular motions to slough off dead skin).
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- Lip scrubs and nourishing oils (avoid those with alcohol or artificial fragrances, as these can be irritating).
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Always apply our Restorative Skin Balm immediately after exfoliation to help heal cracked and irritated skin, soothe the outer barrier, and lock in moisture.
3. Try a Lip Mask Overnight
If your lips are struggling, try a lip mask. These sit on your lips all night long and can help encourage healing.
- A mix of coconut oil and honey for deep hydration.
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- Our Restorative Skin Balm applied heavily to seal in moisture overnight.
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- A ready-to-use sleeping mask with natural and safe ingredients can plump and restore lips while you sleep.
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4. Protect Your Lips from Sun Damage
We don’t often think of our lips when it comes to sun damage, but we should, as they are exposed to the sun perhaps more than any other skin area. A lip balm with SPF 30 or higher is a good idea. Look for those that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as these provide the best sun protection without irritating sensitive skin. Follow up with our Restorative Skin Balm, as the sunscreen balm may not contain the moisture you need.
5. Boost Hydration from the Inside Out
External treatments are essential if you want your lips to look better. But you also much hydrate inside too. Drink more water (aim for at least eight glasses a day), eat hydrating foods (like melons, cucumbers, citrus fruits, and leafy greens), use a humidifier in your bedroom overnight, and consider taking omega-3 supplements. (Always check with your doctor first.) The healthy fats help improve skin moisture levels.
Apply Daily TLC to Avoid Chapped Lips!
We know that if you skip even one day of care for your lips, they may rebel by getting dry! The best way to keep them happy is to care for them every day, just like you do the rest of your face. Incorporate your exfoliating and moisturizing activities into your regular skincare routine for the best results.
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