Why are my lips always chapped?

What keeps the chapping going?

• Cold, wind and dry indoor air increase moisture loss. Hot, dry weather and sun exposure can cause trouble too.
• Licking briefly wets your lips, but leaves them drier as saliva evaporates. Saliva's digestive enzymes can also irritate them.
• Lip products can be part of the problem. Fragrance, flavorings and dyes can irritate lips or cause an allergic reaction.
• Toothpaste can trigger lip inflammation if you are allergic to an ingredient.
• Dehydration can contribute, but drinking water will not remove an irritating product or stop repeated licking.

Could my lip balm be making it worse?

Yes, depending on its ingredients. Balms containing phenol, menthol or salicylic acid can make lips drier. While your lips heal, also avoid camphor, eucalyptus, fragrance, lanolin and cinnamon, citrus or mint flavorings. Lip balm seals in existing moisture, which is a less glamorous job than the packaging tends to suggest. Balm does not make your lips stop producing their own moisture.245

How to help your lips heal

Lip balms come as sticks, salves and ointments, so the format has more options than the job requires. Choose a fragrance free, hypoallergenic product; for very dry, cracked lips, try thick white petroleum jelly, which seals in water longer than waxes or oils.45

1. 1Wash your hands before applying balm, and do not share it with other people.
2. 2Apply balm or ointment when you wake up, whenever your lips feel dry and before bed. Reapply after eating or drinking.
3. 3Before going outside, use a nonirritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher. Look for zinc oxide or titanium oxide, and reapply every two hours outdoors, including in winter.
4. 4Cover your lips with a scarf in cold, windy weather. Use a humidifier in dry rooms, especially your bedroom if you breathe through your mouth at night.
5. 5Keep drinking water through the day to avoid dehydration.

Skip lip scrubs and resist peeling, biting or picking off flakes. Scrubs remove the protective outer layer; pulling skin off can create cracks and sores and delay healing. Let loose skin come away on its own. When you catch yourself licking, apply a nonirritating balm instead. Avoid holding pens, jewelry or metal objects against your lips. Spicy foods can irritate them, and citrus, spicy or salty foods can sting severely chapped lips.1245

If you wear a face mask, it can contribute to dry lips. Apply petroleum jelly after washing your face, before putting on the mask and before bed. Keep the jelly on your lips rather than spreading it over surrounding skin to help prevent breakouts.6

When should I get my lips checked?

Regular balm use should ease discomfort while your lips heal. Expect noticeable improvement within two to three weeks. See a dermatologist if they do not improve in that time, or get worse. Frequent bleeding that does not respond to home care also needs assessment. See a doctor if your lips are hot, painful and swollen, which can signal infection.134

Persistent lip inflammation, called cheilitis, can come from eczema, allergies, infection, medicines such as isotretinoin, or iron or vitamin B deficiency. Treatment depends on the cause. Persistent dry, scaly lips can also be actinic cheilitis, a precancerous condition linked to sun exposure. A clinician can examine your lips, review your history and arrange tests when needed rather than treating every case as ordinary dryness.147