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Have you ever wondered, “Why are my lips so dry?” You can find the answer in the thin skin on your lips, which is often at the mercy of the environment.

The elements — cold weather, wind, and even the sun’s harsh UV rays — often leave behind a trail of tightness and discomfort known as chapped lips.

Because chapped lips are a common problem, there are many products on the market that claim to offer relief. But not all treatments are effective, so understanding how to treat chapped lips effectively is vital.

What Causes Chapped Lips?

Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis, are more than a winter woe or a sign of dehydration. They’re a cry for help from the delicate skin on our lips.

Unlike other parts of the skin, our lips lack oil glands and can’t produce moisture. This makes them especially vulnerable to external conditions.

Seasonal weather isn’t the only external factor that causes chapped lips. Indoor heating, central air conditioning, and repeatedly licking your lips can cause moisture loss and dryness.

Symptoms of chapped lips

Chapped lips can affect anyone. The discomfort can range from mild tightness to severe cracking that can bleed and lead to infections when left unattended.

Common chapped lip symptoms include:

• Cracking
• Dryness
• Peeling

Although avoiding chapped lips completely is difficult, there are ways to care for your sensitive skin to speed recovery.

How Do I Treat Chapped Lips?

When treating chapped lips, the goal is to restore the balance of moisture the thin skin of your lips desperately needs.

For quick relief, start by applying a non-irritating lip balm or moisturizer. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends products with the following ingredients:

• Castor seed oil.
• Ceramides.
• Dimethicone.
• Hemp seed oil.
• Mineral oil.
• Petrolatum.
• Shea butter.
• Titanium oxide.
• White petroleum jelly.
• Zinc oxide.

When should I apply lip balm?

When moisturizing your lips, consistency is key. Apply balms or moisturizer several times a day and before bed. The nighttime application allows the lip treatment to work undisturbed while you sleep.

Also apply lip treatment before:

• Exercise — Excess sweat and dehydration can worsen dry lips. This is doubly important for outdoor activities, such as running or cycling.
• Going outside — Even in the winter, the sun isn’t friendly to dry, cracked lips. Make sure your lip balm contains a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
• Traveling — Air conditioning in cars and the dry air in airplane cabins aren’t friendly to dry skin.

Extra hydration during these activities is vital, too. Staying hydrated can help speed up the healing process.

How Do I Prevent Chapped Lips?

Moisturize and hydrate

The most effective way to prevent chapped lips involves moisture and hydration.

A few tips can help mitigate your risk of chapped lips:

• Apply lip balm — Even when your lips appear healthy, lip balm helps the skin around the lips retain moisture before dryness can start.
• Avoid licking your lips — Even though it may give you temporary relief, saliva worsens the problem over time, leaving the lips drier after it evaporates. Don’t pick at the dead skin on your lips either.
• Don’t put metal on your lips — Paper clips, jewelry, metal straws, and other metal objects can irritate damaged skin.
• Increase your water intake — Hydration is one of the most effective ways to keep your skin — including the thin layer on your lips — looking healthy. A lack of water in the body can cause inflammation and dryness.
• Use a humidifier — If your home has dry air, a humidifier can help.

Exfoliate

In addition to keeping skin moisturized, exfoliation is a great tool for preventing chapped lips. The skin on the lips naturally sheds on its own — like all skin cells. But when those skin cells don’t fully shed, you’re left with layers of dry and dead skin.

Lip exfoliation removes excess dry and dead skin. It also helps increase the effectiveness of moisturizers on the healthy skin underneath.

You can buy exfoliants from a drugstore or make them at home. Common ingredients for DIY lip scrubs include sugar or coffee grounds.

Because the skin on the lips is so sensitive, limit lip exfoliation to once a week. The process is simple:

• Clean lips of any balm, lip gloss, or lipstick.
• Dip a wet washcloth or soft toothbrush into the exfoliant mixture.
• Gently brush your lips in a circular motion and then clean off the scrub.
• Immediately rehydrate the lips with a balm or a moisturizer.

What Should I Avoid Using on Chapped Lips?

Some products on the market for managing chapped lips include ingredients that can make the problem worse.

A general rule: If you feel stinging, burning, or other discomfort, you’re using the wrong product. Pain doesn’t mean the balm is working — it usually means the opposite.

Products containing alcohol, alpha-hydroxy acids, or retinoids are too harsh for sensitive or dry skin.

You should avoid fragranced lip products along with those with:

• Camphor
• Eucalyptus
• Flavoring
• Lanolin
• Menthol
• Octinoxate
• Phenol
• Propyl gallate
• Salicylic acid

Am I at Higher Risk of Chapped Lips?

You may have a higher risk of developing chapped lips if you:

• Are older (skin thins as you age).
• Have eczema or sensitive skin.
• Have underlying medical conditions.
• Live in a cold or dry climate and frequently face harsh conditions that cause chapped lips.
• Work outdoors.

Should I Ever Seek Medical Attention for Chapped Lips?

Chapped lips typically go away with home treatment, but you may want to see your doctor if they don’t improve. This is especially true for persistent cracks, bleeding, or signs of infection, such as swelling or pus.

In some cases, chapped lips can signal an allergy or a vitamin deficiency. A healthcare provider can perform tests to rule out any underlying causes.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 6, 2025, and was last reviewed on January 5, 2026.