How to Treat Dry Lips

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1Use a lip balm.

2Use an SPF.

3Use aloe vera.

4Avoid licking your lips.

5Drink plenty of water.

6Steer clear of salty, spicy, and acidic foods.

7Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your diet.

8Avoid irritating makeup products.

9Use a humidifier.

10Wear a scarf when you’re outdoors.

11Visit a dermatologist.

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Article Summary

Having dry lips is super uncomfortable, but it’s also very common, especially during the winter. After months of suffering from cracked lips, you may be longing for the supple, hydrated pout you had last summer. Well, fear not. It’s totally possible. Here’s a guide to achieving extra-hydrated lips year-round.

Steps

1

Use a lip balm.

1. 
   Look for products with petroleum jelly or beeswax. Nothing fancy! These ingredients help lock in moisture and soothe the discomfort of sore, chapped lips. You can usually find affordable balms at your local pharmacy or grocery store.

   • Balms with castor oil and shea butter are great for repairing damaged skin. Additionally, lanolin, which is the wax collected from wooly animals, hydrates your lips and leaves them feeling silky soft.
   • Avoid products that contain fragrances, like lavender or vanilla. These scents might be calming, but the complex chemicals used to make them can sometimes irritate the issue and prolong healing.
   • Always keep a moisturizing balm on your lips to keep them smooth and soft.
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2

Use an SPF.

1. 
   Balms should be SPF30. Believe it or not, your skin still needs protection from the sun in the colder months. The skin on your lips is especially thin, meaning it can burn a lot easier. When you’re out in the sun for long periods of time, don’t be afraid to apply sunscreen directly to your lips as you would the rest of your face.

   • Make sure to wash your hands before applying your lip balm, especially if you have to scoop the product out of a pot or jar.

3

Use aloe vera.

1. 
   Aloe has vital antioxidants, vitamins, and enzymes that hydrate dry skin. Aloe plants’ healing gel is found underneath its leaf; once scooped out, the gel can then be applied directly to the damaged skin. These plans can sometimes be found in the produce section at your local grocery store, but it might be easier to take a trip to the beauty aisle, where many products use aloe as a key ingredient.

   • Aloe can cause a mild allergic reaction in some people, so it’s best to do a test by applying a small amount on your hand or arm before spreading a thick layer over your lips.
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4

Avoid licking your lips.

1. 
   It may feel like it’s rehydrating them, but it’s doing the opposite. Licking your lips intensifies all the dryness caused by cold or arid weather. This can be a hard habit to break because it’s obviously something we do mindlessly, but try to pay attention throughout the day.

   • Don’t lick your lips before applying your lip balm. The residual saliva can cause the delicate skin on your lips to crack and become sore.

5

Drink plenty of water.

1. 
   Your lips dry out quickly when you’re dehydrated. It’s easy to go for hours without a sip of water when you’re busy during the day, but staying properly hydrated helps heal dry lips and prevents further irritation.

   • Aim to drink 4-6 glasses of water, 8 oz each (240 mL) every day. This doesn’t mean you should chug all at once at night when you realize you forgot. Try again tomorrow, and spread out your water intake throughout the day.
   • Carry around a reusable water bottle wherever you go, and drink every time you’re thirsty.
   • Everyone is different, so check with your doctor to get a proper recommendation if you’re unsure, especially if you’re on any medications that cause your body to retain water.
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6

Steer clear of salty, spicy, and acidic foods.

1. 
   Some ingredients, although delicious, may be irritating your chapped lips. These foods contain chemicals that aggravate cracked skin and may leave you with a stinging sensation on your lips.

   • Start by removing certain foods and condiments from your diet temporarily. If you notice a difference in your skin, try avoiding these ingredients for good.
   • For instance, instead of pretzels, try a less salty snack, like air-popped popcorn, apples and peanut butter or dark chocolate.

7

Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your diet.

1. 
   These improve your skin’s natural barrier, which prevents dryness. Certain kinds of fish, like salmon and tuna, as well as other foods, like walnuts and kale, are rich in omega-3s.

   • If you’re not a fan of seafood, taking a fish oil supplement every day is a great alternative. These often have little to no taste but still provide the same nourishing benefits.
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8

Avoid irritating makeup products.

1. 
   Lipsticks and glosses could be causing an adverse reaction. Certain lotions and anti-aging serums that are used near your lips could also be to blame for excessive dryness. If you notice your lips starting to feel hot or prickly after applying a certain product, it just might be the culprit.

   • Try removing products one at a time, each for a week, so you can pinpoint what’s causing the irritation.

9

Use a humidifier.

1. 
   This will help combat dry air and weather. When the heat is left on in the house during the winter, the air can become very dry, which leaves your skin feeling scratchy and dehydrated. Humidifiers boost the air’s moisture by releasing steam or water vapor into your space.

   • Make sure to clean your humidifier using a disinfectant every three days and change the machine’s filters regularly.
   • Using distilled water instead of tap water can also prevent the production of unwanted bacteria.
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10

Wear a scarf when you’re outdoors.

1. 
   Your lips will stay protected from the cold, and you’ll be cozy and warm. Wind and icy temperatures wreak havoc on your lips, so it’s wise to bundle up when you head outside.

11

Visit a dermatologist.

1. 
   If home remedies just aren’t doing the trick, make an appointment with a doctor. Chapped lips are extremely common and usually start to improve after about 2-3 weeks. If you’re still experiencing dryness after this time, it may be a sign there’s something else going on, such as an allergic reaction.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Will dry lips go away on their own?

  

  Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist

  Dr. Margareth Pierre-Louis is a board certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist, Physician Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Twin Cities Dermatology Center and Equation Skin Care in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Twin Cities Dermatology Center is a comprehensive dermatology clinic treating patients of all ages through clinical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and telemedicine. Equation Skin Care was created to provide the best in evidence-based, natural skin care products. Dr. Pierre-Louis earned a BS in Biology and an MBA from Duke University, an MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed a residency in dermatology at the University of Minnesota, and completed a dermatopathology fellowship at Washington University in St Louis. Dr. Pierre-Louis is board certified in dermatology, cutaneous surgery, and dermatopathology by the American Boards of Dermatology and Pathology.

  

  Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD

  Board Certified Dermatologist

  Expert Answer

  For most people, dry lips will repair themselves over time. If you find yourself struggling with dry lips frequently, try exfoliating your lips once every 1-2 weeks. You may also be eating or drinking something that's causing your skin to dry out.

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• Question

  How can I fix my dry lips naturally?

  

  Erica Coates
  Professional Makeup Artist

  Erica Coates is a Professional Makeup Artist and the Owner of Erica Nicole Beauty based in the Washington D.C. metro area. With more than 14 years of experience, she specializes in creating and personalizing makeup looks and skin prep for makeup. Erica received her cosmetology training from the Bennett Career Institute.

  

  Erica Coates

  Professional Makeup Artist

  Expert Answer

  Just keep them moisturized at all costs! Also, don't exfoliate too hard or too frequently, because the skin on the lips is very thin and it can become raw. Just do a light exfoliation once a week and use a moisturizer.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

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Tips

• Exfoliating your lips at least once a week, especially during the colder months, can help you get rid of the dead skin cells, making your lips softer.
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