Chapped lips can happen to anyone, no matter what time of year. If your lip balm isn’t cutting it, it’s time to take a deeper look at prevention and treatment remedies to get those dry and flaky lips feeling refreshed.
Why are my lips always chapped?
The lips are different from than the rest of our body. The skin is very thin and does not contain any oil glands, so it can’t produce its own moisture, making it extra susceptible to dryness and irritation.
Dry, cracked lips are often the result of cold weather, sun exposure, dehydration, or our own bad habits like picking and frequent licking.
Is there a cure for chapped lips?
The best way to prevent your lips from drying out is to keep them moisturized. Taking care of your lips should be part of your , such as washing your face and brushing your teeth. But beware!
“Some lip balms may help chapped lips feel better temporarily, but people often find that they need to reapply frequently throughout the day to keep their lips from drying out,” says Robert Sylvester, DNP, a pediatric nurse practitioner in the at 㽶Ƶ of Utah Health. “These lip balms contain ingredients that actually dry out your lips more, ultimately doing more harm than good.”
How to choose a good lip balm
People often mistake discomfort, such as tingling or burning, as a sign that the lip balm is “working,” but this is not true. Discomfort caused by any lip product (lip balm, lipstick, lip masks, lip scrubs) will further damage the skin. Make sure to only use products that are non-irritating, fragrance-free, and contain at least SPF 30 (with added ingredients like titanium oxide or zinc oxide).
If your lips are dry or cracking, avoid lip balm with these ingredients, as they can further dry out or irritate the skin:
- Camphor
- Eucalyptus
- Flavoring
- Fragrance
- Lanolin
- Menthol
- Octinoxate or oxybenzone
- Phenol (or phenyl)
- Propyl gallate
- Salicylic acid
Instead, use lip balm that contains the following ingredients to help heal and hydrate your chapped lips:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Petroleum jelly
- Shea butter
- Beeswax
- Vitamin E
Do your lips a favor by choosing an all-season lip balm that can protect your lips year-round.