How to Treat Dry and Chapped Lips

Dry, chapped or sore lips often occur on cold, dry days. Chronic chapped lips can be a sign of a serious illness, while dry chapped lips can often be remedied by using home remedies. The instructions in this article will help you know how to make your lips soft again.

Table of Contents

Take care of chapped lips with home remedies

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/bf/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-1-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/bf/Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-1-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Drink a lot of water. Ideally, you should drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. When your body loses water, it shows right on your lips. So you should drink as much water as possible! ^{[1] X Research Source}

You need to drink water several times a day instead of drinking a lot of water in one go. Drinking water does not immediately improve the condition of the lips!

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f2/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-2-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f2/Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-2-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Do not lick or peel dry skin on your lips. When your lips are dry, you should avoid constantly licking your lips or peeling off the dry skin. These two bad habits only make the condition of the lips worse. Licking your lips may provide temporary relief, but as the saliva on your lips evaporates, your lips will also dry out. ^{[2] X Source of Study} Peeling off dry skin can cause bleeding, infection, or sores on the lips. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

When you want to lick your lips or peel off dry skin, you should apply lip balm immediately.
Reapply lip balm or ointment after drinking water or rinsing your mouth.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/fb/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-3-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/fb/Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-3-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Exfoliate dead skin cells. Before applying any topical medication, you should exfoliate your lips. This exposes the young skin and helps heal the lips. Don’t scrub hard with your hands because the lips will get worse; Instead, you massage your lips gently. You can exfoliate your lips using something of your choice to exfoliate other parts of your body. Try one of the following:

Use salt or sugar to exfoliate. Apply either of these ingredients to your lips and massage in circular motions to remove dead skin (you can also try sugar with a little olive oil to exfoliate). Your lips will become soft and bright.
Use an exfoliating brush. The easiest brush to use in this case is the toothbrush! You just need to make sure the brush is clean. Any small, soft brush will do. You’ll rub the brush over your lips in a circular motion to remove dead skin.
Do not use soap-based exfoliating products. Facial cleansers with exfoliating beads and soap-based scrubs will make your lips drier.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/67/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-4-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/67/Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-4-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Apply ointment. Choose over-the-counter topicals or balms carefully to heal chapped lips. Many products contain ingredients such as camphor or petrpeum jelly, which will temporarily improve your lips, but will make them drier, forcing you to reapply the product more than once. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Look for lip balms that contain beeswax, shea butter, coconut butter, almond oil, or other natural moisturizers – that should be enough. Don’t choose a lip balm that has a lot of ingredients that you don’t know how to pronounce.
Vitamin E or glycerin topicals that contain natural ingredients are also very effective. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
Avoid using lipstick to moisturize your lips. Lipstick can dry out the lips; so you need to apply a protective ointment underneath. In some cases, you may be allergic to the lipstick or the number 40 red dye commonly found in lipstick formulas. If this happens, lipstick can cause discomfort or red bumps on the lips.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5f/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-5-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5f/Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-5-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Anoint. For an extra boost of moisture, dab some oil on your lips. This will soothe and moisturize the lips as well as protect them from other damage. Use natural moisturizers made from coconut oil and nut butters like these:

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

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/a2/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-6-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/a2/Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-6-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Soothes sore lips. When your lips are chapped and cause pain when smiling, try home remedies to ease the pain. Here are a few suggestions for you:

Using a slice of cucumber on your lips daily for about 10 minutes is also very effective.
Apply some aloe vera gel to your lips for pain relief.
Apply a little honey on your lips to moisturize and create a pleasant feeling.
Apply an unscented lip balm that contains natural oils or butters, like coconut oil or shea butter.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/09/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-7-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/09/Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-7-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Avoid overusing industrial skin care methods. These methods often include scented cosmetics and balms – these are products that dry out the skin.

Be sure to read the product label to find the fragrance in the ingredient list. These ingredients can create a burning or irritating sensation that makes the lips worse.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/4f/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-9-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/4f/Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-9-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Try using a non-fluoridated toothpaste. Some people are allergic to fluoride, which not only affects the lips but also causes other irritations in the mouth. Change your toothpaste and see if you can feel the difference.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b4/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-10.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b4/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips- Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-10.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Use a humidifier at home or in the office. Heat from indoor heaters in winter causes the air to dry out. Try putting on an air humidifier to hydrate the air in your room and your lips. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Repel chapped lips due to underlying causes

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/3a/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-8-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/3a/Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-8-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Consider your diet. Increase the amount of vitamins you need in your diet by eating healthy or taking vitamin supplements.

Avoid salty foods that make you want to lick your lips more. A diet and snacks high in salt can cause dry lips.
In addition, you should also avoid drinks with caffeine so that you do not have to lick your lips.
Carbonated water is also a cause because it contains caffeine and salt. So you should choose another drink.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/9f/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-11.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/9f/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips- Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-11.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Try not to open your mouth while sleeping or breathing. If your lips are dry and chapped in the morning, you may have opened your mouth while you slept. Air circulating through the mouth throughout the night can cause dry lips. Try changing your sleeping position to see if that helps. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Dry, chapped lips are also caused by breathing through your mouth when you have a stuffy nose. Clear your nasal passages so that you can breathe through your nose easily.
Using mouthguards, clamps, and other devices that open your mouth can also cause dry lips.
If you can’t avoid opening your mouth while sleeping, you should apply a lip balm before going to bed.
If you frequently open your mouth while sleeping and feel tired, talk to your doctor to make sure you don’t have an underlying health problem.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/53/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-12.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/53/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips- Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-12.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Protect your lips against the influence of the dry environment outside. Failing to protect your lips on a windy day can damage your lips. Lips also get dry and chapped when you’re somewhere extremely dry. If the external environment is the main reason why your lips are often dry, pay attention to taking care of your lips every time you go out. ^{[8] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/79/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-13.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/79/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips- Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-13.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Care for sun damage. Not only the skin but also the lips are affected by sunlight. Lips can also get sunburned and the feeling will be very painful! Apply aloe vera gel to sunburned lips to help them heal.

Don’t wait until your lips are damaged by the sun to take care of them! You should try to avoid this by always using a sunscreen product on your lips, such as a lip balm with a minimum SPF of 15. ^{[9] XTrusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d9/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-14.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-14.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d9/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips- Step-14.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-14.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Smoking or eating can also cause chapped lips. Anything that comes into frequent contact with the lips affects the condition of the lips. Chemicals in cigarettes, chewing gum, and processed foods can cause dry and chapped lips.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b7/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-15.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-15.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b7/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips- Step-15.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-15.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

See if a vitamin deficiency is the cause. Some vitamins that are essential in keeping the skin and lips healthy are vitamins A, B, C, and B2 (which cause Riboflavin deficiency). You need to make sure you get enough of these vitamins to avoid chapped lips.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/9d/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-16.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-16.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/9d/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips- Step-16.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-16.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Maybe you are sensitive or allergic to the ingredients in certain products? Dry, flaky lips can also be a side effect of ingredients in your cosmetics or skin care products. Overusing these products will make chapped lips worse. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Choose a toothpaste that does not contain sodium lauryl sulphate. This is a foaming agent found in most toothpastes – which can make sore or sore mouth sores and chapped lips worse.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/27/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-17.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-17.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/27/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips- Step-17.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-17.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Consider drug side effects. Some medications have side effects that lead to dry or chapped lips. If this happens when you start a new medication, you should talk to your doctor about the possibility.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1c/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid- of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-18.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1c/Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips- Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Painful-Cracked-Lips-Step-18.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Consider other serious medical conditions. If none of the above factors are causing your lip pain, you may be experiencing symptoms of a more serious condition. See your doctor if you suspect your chapped lips are caused by a medical condition. ^{[11] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Here are some related illnesses:

Diabetes . If you have diabetes or a family member has a history of the disease, it is also one of the reasons why your lips are dry and painful.
Kawasaki disease . A rare serious blood disorder that can cause chronic dry lips.
Sjogren’s syndrome . An autoimmune type can damage the lacrimal and similar glands. This disease causes dry eyes, dry mouth, dry mucous membranes and is also the cause of severe chapped lips.
Macrocytic anemia in the blood . A type of blood disease that occurs when the average red blood cell size increases to a severe degree.
Sexually transmitted diseases (also called STDs) . STDs, oral herpes HSV-1, HIV, and other illnesses are all potential causes of chronic chapped lips.

Advice

Applying coconut oil on the lips is also effective.
Don’t peel off the dead skin on your lips or it will get worse. Instead, you use a topical medication that helps slough off dead skin so you can apply lip balm.
Try almond oil to soothe sore lips.
Apply a thick layer of lip care product of your choice before going to bed so that it won’t be affected by eating, kissing, etc.
Avoid touching your lips to avoid pain and bleeding.
Make a lip scrub with olive oil and sugar.
Apply cucumber on your lips for about 5 to 20 minutes.
Use a medicated lip balm that works for you.
Do not apply lip balm by biting your lips. You should gently apply the lip balm with your fingers and increase the amount of lip balm if you feel your lips are still dry.
You can also try mineral ointment (Petrpeum Jelly) to soothe pain and soften lips.
Don’t lick your lips. This will feel good at first, but saliva will make your lips drier.
Use a lip balm made from 100% natural beeswax.

Warning

Never use a hard tool to scrub your lips, such as a nail file or a stiff brush.
Always consult a doctor when diagnosing any medical condition, especially if it does not improve after a period of care. As for the lips, a dermatologist will be a person with enough expertise to evaluate your condition.

Steps

Take care of chapped lips with home remedies

Repel chapped lips due to underlying causes

Advice

Warning

Related Posts