Can you use Vicks for chapped lips?

Why VapoRub is the wrong choice

VapoRub is intended for cough relief and minor muscle or joint aches, so the familiar jar is applying for the wrong job. Its petrolatum base does not make the whole formula suitable for cracked lips. The other ingredients matter, and Vicks tells you not to use VapoRub by mouth or on wounds or damaged skin.1

Camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol ointments relieve minor muscle and joint pain by creating a warm or cool feeling that blocks pain signals. That sensation is not evidence that chapped lips are healing. Burning, stinging or tingling after applying a lip product means irritation, and you should stop using the product.24

What to put on chapped lips instead

1. 1Wash your hands before applying lip balm or ointment.
2. 2Choose plain white petroleum jelly for very dry, cracked lips, or a fragrance free, hypoallergenic lip balm. A thick ointment seals in water longer than waxes or oils.
3. 3Apply the balm or ointment several times during the day whenever your lips feel dry. Reapply after eating and drinking, and apply ointment before bed.
4. 4Before going outdoors, use a nonirritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Reapply about every two hours while outside.

Other helpful lip balm ingredients include ceramides, dimethicone, mineral oil and castor seed oil. Avoid menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, fragrance and mint or cinnamon flavoring while your lips are chapped. If one balm causes discomfort, stop using it rather than applying more; some people are sensitive to fragrances, dyes or other cosmetic ingredients.235

Help your lips heal between applications

Do not lick, bite or pick at cracked lips. Licking leaves lips drier as saliva evaporates, while picking and biting can slow healing. Cover your lips with a scarf in cold weather, and do not share lip balm because sharing can spread germs. A bedroom humidifier can help with dry air, especially if you breathe through your mouth at night.25

Keep lip balm handy for when dryness returns, because a jar in another room has excellent attendance and poor availability. Continue using lip balm in dry conditions after your lips have healed to help prevent another bout of chapping.23

What if you already applied VapoRub?

Stop applying VapoRub to your lips. If you swallowed VapoRub, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. If VapoRub gets into your eyes, rinse them with plenty of cool tap water. Report a rash, hives or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat to a healthcare professional promptly.14

How long should healing take?

Regular lip balm use should ease discomfort while the skin heals. Expect noticeable improvement within two to three weeks, although severely chapped lips can take longer. See a dermatologist if your lips have not improved after that period, or a healthcare professional sooner if they get worse. Frequent bleeding that does not improve with home care also needs assessment.23

See a doctor if your lips are hot, painful and swollen, because those symptoms can signal infection. Persistent chapping can also come from an allergic reaction or a medication such as a retinoid, rather than dry weather alone. A pharmacist can help you choose a suitable lip product and decide whether you need a doctor.35