How to prevent chapped lips in winter

Why do lips get chapped in cold weather?

Lips have thinner, more sensitive skin than the rest of your body and no oil glands. Cold, dry air and wind leave them vulnerable to drying and cracking. Dry air makes moisture evaporate more quickly, and winter humidity can be low both outside and indoors. Sun exposure, dehydration and frequent lip licking can add to the problem.345

Build lip protection into your day

1. 1When you wake up, wash your hands before applying lip balm or ointment.
2. 2Before going outside, apply a lip balm with broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Cover your lips with a scarf in cold weather.
3. 3During the day, reapply when your lips feel dry and after eating or drinking. Outdoors, reapply SPF balm every two hours.
4. 4Before bed, apply balm or ointment again. For very dry, cracked lips, choose a thick ointment such as white petroleum jelly.

Keep a balm in your bag and another beside your bed, because the one you cannot find is doing very little.5

Which lip balm should you choose?

Choose a fragrance free balm or ointment. Helpful ingredients include petrolatum, mineral oil, ceramides, dimethicone and shea butter. A thick ointment seals in water longer than waxes or oils. For already chapped lips, choose an SPF balm containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Avoid menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, fragrance, lanolin, salicylic acid and cinnamon, citrus or mint flavorings while your lips heal. Stop any product that burns, stings or tingles. Those sensations mean irritation, not that the balm is working. If one balm does not suit you, try another; fragrances, dyes or other cosmetic ingredients can cause sensitivity.123

How do you protect lips from cold wind?

Cover your mouth with a scarf in cold wind, rather than letting your coat do all the winter preparation. Apply protective balm before leaving home. Cold weather does not replace sun protection: sunlight still reaches your skin, and snow reflects it. If you get cold sores, cold weather and sunlight can also trigger outbreaks.567

How often should you apply lip balm in winter?

There is no fixed application limit: use balm as needed when your lips feel dry. Eating and drinking are cues to replace the coating. With SPF balm outdoors, also reapply after swimming, sweating or licking your lips. Continue lip care once chapping improves, especially whenever the air is dry.1346

Can indoor heating dry out lips?

Dry indoor air can contribute to chapping; the useful thing to address is low humidity. A humidifier adds moisture to the air and limits water loss. Use one in your bedroom, especially if you breathe through your mouth at night. Drink enough water to avoid dehydration, but keep using balm to protect your lips.1257

Leave flakes alone

Licking gives brief wetness, but lips become drier as saliva evaporates. Apply balm instead. Do not bite or pick peeling skin, which irritates lips and slows healing. Avoid holding metal objects against chapped lips, and do not share lip balm because it can spread germs.12

When should you get medical help?

Already chapped lips should noticeably improve within 2 to 3 weeks of consistent care. See a dermatologist if they do not, or get medical advice sooner if they worsen or keep bleeding despite treatment. Hot, painful, swollen lips need a doctor's assessment because infection is possible. Persistent chapping can have causes other than weather, including allergies or reactions to medicines such as retinoids.123