Say Goodbye to Chapped Lips: The Ultimate Guide to Lip Rehab

Chronically chapped and crusty lips are uncomfortable and embarrassing. Just like acne, they aren’t your fault. However, there is work you can do to make them better. We are here to help!

Chapped lips are similar to having acne-prone skin. Much of it comes down to your DNA and how you make skin. To all those chapped lip girlies who are grateful for full lips but embarrassed of lip crust and dead skin, we want to help you! We know how annoying it is when people comment, "That must hurt," or "Drink more water," and we know that it's more than just dehydration. We also know the empty search for a magical lip scrub or balm, plus the annoyance of wearing lipstick – only to feel even drier.

So how can you pretty up your pout? It takes some work and dedication to breaking chapped lip habits, but we believe this is your fresh start to no longer hide your peeling lips! 

Step 1: Stop touching, wiping, picking, and licking

Whether you are on to it or not, there's a very good chance if you have chronically chapped lips you are touching, wiping, picking, or licking for temporary relief. The problem is that touching them aggravates your lips and instantly removes whatever hydration or balm you try to keep on them. Licking them may seem like a good idea to help rehydrate the lips, but your saliva has enzymes that dry them out more.

The hardest part of your lip rehab will be breaking the habit of licking and picking. You've probably been in fight mode with your crispy lips since you were a toddler, so breaking these habits is a lot like breaking the habits of skin picking or nail biting. It's not easy, but every time you choose to leave your lips alone, you are one step closer to your goal.

Step 2: Rehab your lip product collection 

If you struggle with chronically chapped lips, that skin is frequently compromised, and it's easy for dermatitis (allergic reactions) to occur. When our lip's skin barrier is no longer intact, the ingredients in our lip balms can trigger histamine responses like redness, stinging, itching, swelling, and more because that skin can't protect you. Instead, now you have dry lips that are constantly on fire because of these ingredients you use to attempt to help them. So, you must go through lip product rehab. It's time to turn down the free chapstick at the state fair and stick to lip products that work with the shortest ingredient decks possible.

You might think Carmex and Blistex work because they're "medicated." However, they only offer temporary relief initially because they contain numbing and menthol agents that claim to heal your lips. But the truth is they provide some addicting short-term comfort and, unfortunately, more problems long-term. Fragrance can also be problematic for sensitized lips, so it is best to avoid it. Burt's Bees, for example, may seem a "natural" option, but it contains essential oils, limonene, and other ingredients that can trigger reactions, natural or not.

The best emollient we know of is petroleum jelly. Ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, castor oil, and newly trending beef tallow may come out as more natural balm options, but they still fall a little short and aren't very acne-friendly. If you opt for a more natural option, still be sure to check the label for fragrances, essential oils, filler waxes, or ingredients you haven't heard of before. You even have to look closely at some Vaseline and Aquaphor products to ensure no fragrances or dyes; you want to get the plainest formula possible.

Step 3: Have a nightly lip routine, like you do with your skin

We've covered what not to do, so let's talk about how actually to treat dead lip skin. Spend a minute or two giving your lips some love every morning and/or night, and you will cut back on time when it's painful throughout the day. Lips are quickly forgotten when they are on their best behavior – but it's always easier to prevent than treat, so keep them on your radar at all times.

Wash your lips while washing your face to loosen up dead skin cells. Washing after you brush your teeth will remove traces of toothpaste that irritate and crust up the corners of your mouth. Some dermatologists believe sodium lauryl sulfate in your toothpaste can worsen dry, cracked lips, so try hard to keep your toothpaste inside your mouth and not on your lips. After washing your lips, lightly dry them with a towel and gently wipe them. Some people like to scrub or use their toothbrush to exfoliate the dead skin, which is great as long as these don't cause your lips to bleed; if so, stick to a more gentle routine for a while.

Next, remember not to moisten your lips by licking them, but instead, use your hydrating and nourishing serums right on the lips! Skip anything active on them unless they are not feeling dry; a small amount of acids here and there could help alleviate dead skin. Serums containing hyaluronic acid, peptides, growth factors, and oils will do great right on the lips. Just like you want to hydrate your skin underneath emollients in your moisturizer for dry, dehydrated skin, your lips will thank you in the same way.

Our top serum products to use on your lips are Le Mieux's Hyaluronic Serum and Dr. Esthe's MGF Renewal Ampoule, but there are many other options as well. In summary, just take a second to apply your nourishing serums on your lips and add our favorite "crusty lip repair product," Le Mieux's Eye and Lip Cream to lock in that hydration and moisturize and protect the lips. Finally, top that off with a little unscented Vaseline or Rosebud Salve to seal it all in, and your lips will be set up for success either morning or night.

Step 4: Use a humidifier and drink a glass of water every time your lips feel dry 

You may be surprised to learn that humidifiers greatly help chronically chapped lips. Run a humidifier near your bedside while sleeping and keep one near you during the day in your work and living spaces during drier months. Another thing the humidifier does is help you breathe through your nose, which is helpful to chapped lips because mouth breathing and drooling lead to chapped lips. Even try to be more conscious of your breath throughout the day, and when you find yourself breathing through your mouth, stop and then take a few slow breaths through your nose. If you're unable to breathe through your nose, you may want to look into that issue with an ENT, because there is a long list of problems mouth breathing can cause aside from chapped lips.

Even though people who never drink water may not experience chapped lips, and those who drink tons of water still can, the more hydrated you are, the better odds you have of fighting those predispositions to chapped lips. We want to be clear that drinking water will not cure your chapped lips, but if your body is chronically dehydrated, it will be hard to heal your lips. Every time you feel cracked, dry, or find yourself licking and picking, drink a whole glass of water and apply your trusty lip products! Healthy habits will take your lips to the next level.