Kiss Dry Lips Goodbye With These 8 Best Chapped Lip Treatments (2024)

Final Verdict

Overall, Dr. Dan’s CortiBalm is our top pick for best chapped lip treatment for its effective healing formula. Dr. de la Cruz and Dr. Hogan both agree that the over-the-counter ointment is the best solution for those with severely chapped lips.

This is in part thanks to its addition of 1% hydrocortisone, which calms inflammation and kick-starts the healing cycle, and petrolatum to protect the skin barrier and prevent further damage. For those looking for a trusted value product, we like Vaseline Lip Therapy Original for its versatility and effectiveness at preventing and treating compromised lips without fail.

How to Shop for Chapped Lip Treatments Like a Pro

Ingredients

In general, when it comes to lip treatments, you’ll want to look for a product that contains occlusives, emollients, and humectants, Dr. Gmyrek says. Occlusives, such as petrolatum, lanolin,shea butter, and beeswax, are ingredients that form a protective layer on the lips to seal in moisture and minimize water loss, while emollients, such as ceramides, jojoba oil, and coconut oil, help soften and smooth the skin on damaged lips.

Humectants, for their part, attract moisture into the lip skin and are most effective when paired with an occlusive in order to retain that moisture, Dr. Gmyrek notes. Some common humectants include glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Some other ingredients to look out for include vitamin E and green tea extract, which act as antioxidants and can help protect the lips from free radical damage, Dr. de la Cruz notes.

In terms of what to avoid when shopping for a chapped lip treatment, Dr. de la Cruz recommends leaving behind any lip products with fragrance and flavorings—like cinnamon, citrus, and mint—as they can be irritating to already compromised lips.

Also avoid ingredients like salicylic acid, camphor, and menthol, which have the potential to dry chapped lips even further, Dr. Hogan says. Propolis and lanolin are some other popular ingredients in lip care products that can be hydrating, but which should be avoided if the lips are irritated as they can worsen symptoms, Dr. Kapoor adds.

SPF

Another essential ingredient to look for when shopping for a lip treatment is an SPF. The skin on our faces is vulnerable to UV radiation that over time can contribute to sun damage and skin cancer, and the lips are no exception, Dr. Kapoor says.

When applying your daily SPF, the lips are often forgotten, and so a separate, dedicated product is needed, says Dr. Kapoor. “Using a lip product with SPF will help ensure your lips are protected along with the rest of your face,” she explains.

Not to mention, many lip products contain oils which, without sunscreen ingredients like titanium oxide and zinc oxide, included in the formulation, can amplify the rays of the sun, leading to even more inflammation and damage, Dr. Gmyrek adds. For this reason, a lip treatment with SPF is absolutely necessary.

Some early signs of sun-damaged lips include: dryness, peeling, and cracking, which mimic chapped lips, Dr. Gmyrek notes. In other words, damaged lips may be a sign of UV damage. If you’re treating your chapped lips with one of the recommended lip treatments and they’re not getting better, then it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Gmyrek says.

Formula Type

Whether you opt for a mask, balm or ointment for your lip treatment is largely dependent on what your goals are, Dr. de la Cruz says. “Lip masks have various formulations and are worn overnight to seal in hydration,” Dr. Hogan explains. Anyone and everyone can benefit from a lip mask, Dr. Gmyrek adds, but if your lips are very chapped, you’ll want to opt for one with minimal ingredients to avoid further inflammation.

Lip balms, by comparison, are heavier and contain waxy ingredients to protect the lips from the environment, whether it’s dry, cold, hot or sunny, Dr. Hogan says. Dr. Gmyrek recommends a lip balm with beeswax as an occlusive if your lips are not severely chapped and you’re looking for a matte finish.

But if you don’t mind a bit of shine or have severely damaged lips, an ointment with petrolatum as an occlusive is ideal, Dr. Gmyrek says. Lip ointments are helpful for healing damaged and chapped lips as they prevent moisture loss, Dr. Hogan adds. Dr. Kapoor adds that she prefers ointments because they seal in moisture and help restore the skin barrier.

Questions You Might Ask

What is the best thing for severely chapped lips?

When your lips are severely chapped, the best remedy is to simplify your lip care regimen, the experts say. Cut out any lip cosmetics that may cause further irritation and damage, Dr. Kapoor recommends. Instead, opt for a plain petroleum jelly, like Vaseline. Be sure to apply this lip treatment several times a day, and a thick layer of it—like “cream cheese on a bagel thick,” Dr. Kapoor says.

Moreover, avoid licking your lips as saliva is an irritant that will further dry out the lips, Dr. Kapoor says. Definitely do not pick any of the dead skin around the lips and do not brush or exfoliate them with a lip scrub as this may cause further irritation, Dr. Gmyrek adds.

She also recommends avoiding spicy and acidic foods and drinks, which can irritate already compromised lips, until the skin has healed. “Be gentle and allow the inflammation and redness to calm,” she says.

Additionally, consider using a humidifier in your room while you sleep to replenish moisture in the air, Dr. de la Cruz says. And if you’re going to be exposed to cold and wind outside, consider using a face guard, Dr. Gmyrek adds.

“If your lips don’t improve after following these tips consistently, it’s best to see a board-certified dermatologist to make sure you don’t have a contributing diagnosis,” Dr. Kapoor notes.

What fixes chapped lips quickly?

If your lips are excessively chapped or dry and you’re in a pinch, the best solution is to apply a very low dose topical steroid for a few days, followed by a petrolatum-based ointment, Dr. de la Cruz says.

“My recommendation to patients if they need to heal in a hurry is to use an over-the-counter, 1% hydrocortisone ointment a few times a day and before bed for two to three days,” Dr. Gmyrek adds. The hydrocortisone, a topical steroid, will help decrease inflammation, helping the lips look and feel better fast, she says.

While the petrolatum in the lip treatment will act as an occlusive barrier to protect the skin from further damage. Dr. Dan’s CortiBalm is one over-the-counter ointment that contains 1% hydrocortisone that both Dr. de la Cruz and Dr. Hogan highly recommend.

Is Vaseline or lip balm better for chapped lips?

“It really depends on the exact product that you are comparing,” Dr. de la Cruz says. Vaseline is one type of petrolatum-based ointment that seals in moisture well and can protect the lips from further drying out.

“Lip balm,” on the other hand, is an umbrella term that essentially includes most stay-on lip products on the market with hydrating ingredients that may feel a bit lighter on the lips compared to an occlusive ointment, Dr. de la Cruz explains.

In general, Vaseline is highly recommended by dermatologists for its effectiveness and simple ingredient list. Vaseline, because it has limited ingredients, is less likely to cause an allergy or irritation on cracked skin and is an excellent occlusive to lock in moisture, Dr. Gmyrek says.

In comparison, lip balms tend to contain more ingredients, like fragrances and preservatives, which can cause allergies and further irritation.While lip balms are best for chapped lip prevention, a petrolatum-based ointment like Vaseline is better for treating a compromised skin barrier, Dr. Gmyrek explains.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Naydeline Mejia, a commerce writer for Real Simple with over four years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content, especially on the topic of beauty. For this article, we reviewed, tested, and researched a variety of chapped lip treatments, considering factors such as formulation, size, finish, and value.

We also spoke to Dr. Julie de la Cruz, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Dr. Sara Hogan, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, D.C., Dr. Reshmi Kapoor, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Brooklyn Dermatology, and Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, for product recommendations and expert tips on what to look for in a chapped lip treatment.