Should you make a lip scrub with Vaseline and sugar?

Why leave out the sugar?

Flaking is not a reason to remove more skin. The peeling outer layer protects the new skin cells underneath while they prepare for exposure to dry air and other irritants. Pulling or biting it off early can cause irritation, dryness and infection. Scrubbing also compromises the skin barrier, the protective layer that helps keep moisture in.1

What does petroleum jelly do for lips?

Plain petroleum jelly helps relieve dry lips by protecting moisture. Lip balms create a seal that reduces water loss rather than adding moisture themselves, which is a modest job for something sold in so many costumes. Petroleum jelly works best on damp skin, so apply it while your lips are slightly damp. A thick ointment is especially useful for very dry, cracked lips because it seals in water longer than waxes or oils.234

How do you use a lip sugar scrub?

For dry or peeling lips, replace the scrub with moisture protection rather than choosing a sugar ratio, rubbing time or weekly exfoliation schedule. Use this routine instead:1

1. 1Wash your hands before applying lip balm or petroleum jelly.
2. 2Apply plain petroleum jelly to slightly damp lips without scrubbing or pulling away flakes.
3. 3Use a nonirritating lip balm or ointment several times a day and before bed.
4. 4Before going outdoors, apply a nonirritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply every 2 hours outdoors.
5. 5Leave peeling skin alone. If you catch yourself licking your lips, apply a nonirritating balm instead.

Which lip products should you choose?

Choose a simple petroleum based product, which is a remarkably short shopping brief for the lip aisle. Lip balms can be glossy, tinted, scented or flavored, because apparently moisture protection needs a wardrobe. Those extras are not the deciding factor: fragrance and flavorings can irritate lips or cause allergies. For chapped lips, choose fragrance free products and avoid menthol, camphor, eucalyptus and salicylic acid. Burning, stinging or tingling means irritation, not that a product is working; stop using a product that causes discomfort.14

How long should healing take?

With protective lip care, dry, chapped lips should noticeably improve within 2 to 3 weeks. Severely cracked or bleeding lips can take that long to fully recover. Address tightness or stinging early rather than waiting for deeper cracks. Cold, dry air and wind can keep drying lips out, so cover your mouth with a scarf in cold weather. A bedroom humidifier can help reduce moisture loss when indoor air is dry.34

What if your lips keep peeling?

Persistent redness, scaling, itching or cracking can be lip dermatitis, meaning inflammation of the lips. Irritation, eczema and allergic reactions are possible causes, not a diagnosis you can make from flakes alone. Lip care products and toothpaste can contribute. A dermatologist can investigate triggers and use patch testing to check for contact allergies, including reactions to your own products. Repeated peeling calls for finding the cause, not increasing the scrub.67

See a dermatologist if your lips do not improve after 2 to 3 weeks of gentle care. See a doctor sooner if your lips are hot, painful and swollen, because those symptoms can indicate infection. A pharmacist can also help you choose care for sore or dry lips and advise whether you need a doctor.45