How to Get Rid of Chapped Lips (2024)

Chapped lips (chelitis) can be annoying and painful and can sometimes cause bleeding. Most people deal with chapped lips at various points throughout the year.

This article covers how to treat and prevent dry, chapped lips and when to see a healthcare provider.

What Causes Chapped Lips?

You probably think of dryness when you think about what causes chapped lips. While dryness is a cause of chapped lips, there are other causes, too. These include:

• Frequent lip-licking (lip-licker's dermatitis)
• Anemia due to vitamin B12 or iron deficiency
• Local infections from herpes and oral candidiasis (yeast infection of the lips)
• Contact reaction to an irritant or allergen
• Sun exposure (actinic cheilitis)
• Drug intake, especially retinoids
  

Other medications that may cause dryness leading to chapped lips include:

• Oxycodone (strong narcotic pain medication)
• Morphine (narcotic pain reliever)
• Lithium (mood stabilizer)
• Antibiotics (drugs for bacterial infections)
• Diuretics (drugs to help reduce fluid buildup)
• Statins (drugs to treat cholesterol)

Often, chapped lips are caused by dry air. In the winter, you may notice you get chapped lips more frequently.

What You Can Do for Chapped Lips at Home

The good news is you can usually treat chapped lips at home. From moisturizers to natural remedies and staying hydrated, there are lots of options to choose from.

Moisturize

Using lip moisturizer or lip balm is one of the most straightforward ways to heal chapped lips at home. And if you're wondering if petroleum jelly (Vaseline) fixes chapped lips, the answer is yes, it can help. This is because ointments can seal in moisture longer than waxes or oils.

Experts recommend avoiding lip balms with menthol and eucalyptus. While this tingling sensation associated with medicated lip balm often makes you feel like they're working, they're actually irritating.

Instead, look for the following ingredients:

• Castor seed oil
• Ceramides
• Dimethicone
• Hemp seed oil
• Mineral oil
• Petroleum jelly
• Shea butter

Stick to products that are fragrance-free, dye-free, and hypoallergenic. You can also find lip balms that contain sun-protective ingredients to help prevent chapped lips caused by sun exposure.

Gently Exfoliate

Exfoliation is gently scrubbing your skin to remove dead skin cells. Chapped lips often crack and peel. You may already have a routine of exfoliating your skin, but including your lips may help treat and prevent chapped lips.

A warm, wet compress on the lips can help soften dead skin cells, making it easier to exfoliate.

Try Natural Lip Remedies

There are many natural remedies to help treat chapped lips that you may have handy in your kitchen. Some natural remedies that people use for chapped lips include:

• Aloe vera
• Coconut oil
• Honey
• Cucumber
• Green tea

Rub aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and honey directly onto your lips. (But avoid the use of honey in children under 12 months old.) These natural products provide a barrier and help moisturize chapped skin.

Cucumber naturally hydrates, so drinking it in juice or eating it whole may help boost your hydration and healing.

Green tea has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This may make it soothing for dry, chapped lips. Some people place steeped tea bags onto their lips to soothe them. You can also drink green tea.

Drink Water

Drinking adequate amounts of water can help fix chapped lips. Aim for nine or more cups of water a day to stay hydrated.

Use a Humidifier

Since dry air contributes to dry skin, including dry lips, some people find that a humidifier helps when they have chapped lips.

Keep your humidifier clean to limit pathogens that can build up in the machine. In addition, experts suggest using distilled water to reduce mineral buildup.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking has many well-known effects on the skin, including dry skin. Healthcare providers believe smoking breaks down the elastic fibers in the skin, narrows blood vessels, and reduces vitamin A. It also slows the body's ability to heal itself. Quitting smoking may benefit your skin and lips.

What About Chapped Lips That Won’t Heal?

At-home treatment usually resolves chapped lips within a few weeks. But what should you do if your chapped lips won't heal?

When at-home remedies aren't working, it's time to see a dermatologist (a medical doctor specializing in skin conditions). They will be able to determine if your chapped lips are caused by something more than just dry skin. You may require treatment for an infection or allergies.

How to Prevent Chapped Lips

To prevent chapped lips, experts recommend the following:

• Using lipsticks and lip balms that are nonirritating
• Using a lip balm with sunscreen when outdoors
• Applying lip balm during the day and before bed
• Drinking enough water
• Using a humidifier
• Avoiding licking, biting, or picking your lips
• Avoiding holding non-food items between your lips

Summary

Chapped lips are often caused by dry air, which is why they are more common in winter. Air humidity is reduced, and homes are often heated with dry heat during colder months. Fortunately, they can usually heal with at-home treatment within a few weeks.

Moisturizing, exfoliating, hydrating, and avoiding smoking are key ways to treat chapped lips. A dermatologist can help determine a more complicated cause if they don't resolve quickly at home.