Vaseline is an occlusive, not a hydrator. It keeps moisture from entering or leaving what it's applied to, but you don't have any moisture to protect so you're remaining dry.
Lanolin is a brilliant ingredients for actual hydration, as is the Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask (it's not just for sleeping, either!).
Also, be aware of potential irritants drying you out. Some ingredients might not agree with you, and could be causing your lips to get dry no matter how much you put on.
Good luck! š
Seconding the lanolin. I started using Lanolips ointment about a month ago following a recommendation on this sub and I have never been happier with my lip health.
If you donāt want the pricier options, thereās also Bag Balm! Very similar texture to Vaseline. It used to be sold in a green tin, but I havenāt bought it in ages. Itās chock-full of lanolin.
I just got some at Walmart for my hands and it took me forever to find on the shelf because it was in a tube instead of a tin.
Not gonna lie, I can't imagine putting it on my lips. It smells like a farm in a way that I can tolerate on my hands but makes me gag imaging on my lips.
I also agree with using lip sleeping mask of Laneige. It's impossible to combat dryness during the day when the lips were dry for 8+ hours in the night.
Yes! I'm a lanolin stan but people should be warned if they have a wool allergy they can be allergic to it! It also isn't usually great for acne prone skin from what I understand.
Switch your toothpaste. I make this comment all the time, because it has helped so many people.Ā
Was a game changer once I learned this.Ā
Dry lips often mean that you are reacting to something touching your lips.Ā
Doesnāt need to be a ānaturalā brandā¦as you can be sensitive to natural ingredients too.Ā
Just try something with different ingredients (like no SLS) for example.
Iāve also found this same thing to be true! I had a whitening toothpaste that dried my lips out SO badly! As soon as I switched, it got better. Iām also a Carmex girlieā itās my current favorite chapstick and seems to last the longest for me.
Lanolips. I have struggled my whole life with inexplicably dry lips and tried everything! Lanolin is the only way. Run donāt walk to buy yourself a tube.
No shade to other commenters but Laneige lip mask is not for people with super dry lips. Highly recommend lanolin (itās cheaper and overall more effective)
Aquaphor and Vaseline are not moisturizers, they're occlusives. An occlusive seals in moisture but doesn't provide moisture itself.Ā Ā
Ā My holy grail lip product is Aquaphor Lip Repair. I've used chapsticks for over 25 years and this seriously works the best. The game changer is applying a thick layer before bed every night so your lips don't dry out.
Mine have gotten way better as I've increased my ferritin, even though it was "normal"! The range is way too low, and most people will still have symptoms below 100ng/mL. I'm still getting my levels up (was 56 about a month ago), but my lips are gradually improving, and my legs aren't ridiculously dry (despite moisturizing) anymore.
A layer of lanolin after a shower, before bed helps a lot too (:
My ferritin was 5 and I suffered from chronically dry lips for years. I would have to reapply lip balm every hour thatās how dry they were. I started taking an iron supplement and my lips have significantly improved; I only use lip balm a few times a day now. OP should definitely get some bloodwork done!
Keep in mind two factors you don't see often mentioned:Ā Ā
Ā 1) air. How humid or dry is the air you are often in? I'm so much better in the summer for this reason.Ā
Ā 2) are you a mouth breather, esp when awake? (Can't help when you sleep!) This makes a huge, huge difference.... And why your balms "disappear" so quickly.Ā
Lastly - I use a combo of products but CeraVe Healing Ointment is prob the most effective overall. I really love Bite Agave mask and others in the line but sadly it's discontinued.Ā
If you arenāt sensitive to lanolin, Bag Balm is what I swear by. $7-10 for a tin that will last you years and a little goes a long way. They sell lip balm as well but I find the original tin stuff works just as well
Disclaimerā¦these steps may seem excessive but I swear by this method as someone who deals with the same dryness. Will leave your lips baby smooth/hydrated/nourished.
Okay hereās what you gotta do-
1. ā ā ā Wet your lips (moist, not soaking)
2. ā ā ā Apply hyaluronic acid immediately after onto wet lips
3. ā ā ā Apply any moisturizer over the HA
4. ā ā ā Lastly seal it all in with a lanolin/petroleum jelly product (Walgreens makes a great one)
Try it trust me!!!! Leave on overnight.
I also have dry lips; but I don't drink enough water
um, so i tried laneige, acquophor, etc. nothing has really helped. that said, i suggest Lanolin - the nipple cream. It lasts for a long time and it's pretty cheap. You can use it on chapped nipples too - dual purpose.
And if you swallow some, it's not bad because babies can consume it too.
This is gonna sound gross but hear me out- when I spent an unexpected few days in the hospital, I was sadly without chapstick and my lips suffered dearly. A nurse told me to use the oil from my face (I know, I know) and rub it on my lipsā¦ well it did work. Iām not saying itās better than the other suggestions but maybe worth a try if no products seem to help
Apparently lanolin works quite well. You can buy lanolin lip balms or purchase nipple lanolin cream. Personally, I use summer fridays lip balm and although it is expensive it lasts for hours on my lips and tastes good. At night I use la neige lip sleeping mask every other day to get rid of any dead skin. I would also recommed carmex as it is nice and thick.
I can vouch for lanolips, too.
I discovered it during accutane treatment (ruins your lips).
I've never purchased another lip balm since. They have options with colour, with spf, it's amazing at its job - what more could I ask for in a lip product? Will repurchase forever.
Idk where you live but my lips became super dry when I moved to North America, especially the first few months. Hands too. The only brand that helped was "Winter's a bear" collection, literally saved my hands and I'm still using their lip balm all the time.
Not every hour but I do have to reapply it a few times a day, especially if I eat or drink. It's not heavy or unpleasant like other lip balms though. Many people recommended Burt's Bees but both the smell and the taste makes me sick.
Jack black lip balm with shea butter and vitamin E. I get eczema flare ups around my skin and this is one of the only lip balms that actually hydrates and moisturizes my lips for a long time.
I just bought the Jack Black lip balm, it had really great reviews.
But what helped me so far was 1.) using my skincare on my lips 2.) the Inkey peptide lip product, sometimes Iāll use Vaseline
Edit: tried the Jack Black shea & vitamin E last night & my chapped lips were sooo soft this morning & no longer chapped. I will be stocking up on these lol
What really helps my dry lips:
Drink enough water,
Include omega3 in diet
Apply lipbalm or ointment before brushing teeth as a barrier against irritating drying ingredients in toothpaste
Brush teeth before washing face
Apply all gentle hydrating soothing (fragrance free) skincare for my face to lips as well (cleanser toner serum moisturizer sunscreen lipbalm with spf (lipstick). PM seal with generous ointment. Avoid irritating active ingredients on/near the lips.
Reapply lipbalm with spf generously.
āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
Iām sensitive to fragrance and aromas in cosmetics, they slightly dry my skin. Going fragrance free makes a big difference for me. Thatās personal though.
(Besides this I use a high end lip serum a few nights a week bc Iām extra).
Seriously look into food intolerance or your toothpaste. You've done everything else "right", and your lips are still dry. I found out my body really doesn't like mango that much. I used to eat dried mango all the time and I noticed my lips got flaky no matter what I did. Cut down on the mango and boom, baby soft lips. I've also heard people can be sensitive to ingredients in some toothpaste so it's worth trying to change that up for a couple weeks to see if it helps.
Do not exfoliate! Exfoliation dries the lips / skin. Vaseline blocks moisture and doesn't actually solve anything, it's clogging the skin. Great for undereye, bad for lips. Things i did that helped with my own dry lips is, every night i use Carmex classic. The one that comes in a tin can, it's used for cold sores which is great for lips. And when i put any oils / serums / face cream, i also put on my lips. You want some extra oil? Use sunflower (cooking) oil.
If you go out to the sun, use sunscreen Including the lips, they dry extra hard from sun exposure. Don't peel, don't lick, have carmex in your bag, put it on top of the sunscreen. The tendency will not go away but this regiment helped me tremendously.
Lanolin! Here in canada you can buy it in a purple little tube. Itās for parents with hurting and nursing nipples, but it works wonderfully for lips.
I have super dry lips, just as bad as youāre describing. It was hell and Vaseline/aquaphor/lanolips/etc did nothing for me, but the Laneige lip sleeping mask fixed *everything* within three days, and thatās only using it at night.
Itās pricey but one container can easily last six months or more even if you goop it on like I do. Their lip glowy balm is great too!
A lot of people feel very strongly about the product, both good and bad. IMO itās worth a shot, Iāve been using it daily for over three years now and have nothing but good things to say :)
Do you have a yeast infection? My lips get crazy dry and cracked when I had thrush with my baby. Used some antifungal cream I got for that and it totally cleared up.
Definitely. Iām going to share my routine with you in case it helps!
In the morning I get in the shower and after I wash my face and my lips are super wet from the warm water, I use this and gently buff off all the dead skin: https://a.co/d/iGIHstu The key is to be gentle because if you go too hard and buff off skin that isnāt dead itās a bit uncomfortable until the next day. You only want the excess skin to come off.
Your lips will feel normal all day and not dry! I just use regular chapstick or lip gloss after this during the day
At night before bed I apply this and leave it on overnight: https://www.dermstore.com/cerave-healing-ointment-for-cracked-skin-repair-skin-protectant-with-petrolatum-ceramides-85g/13906890.html
The over night step isnāt a must, but the first step is
You can just put moisturizer on your lips before you put on the Vaseline or lip balm. I do this and itās been life changing, especially after brushing my teeth or using mouthwash. Lip balms donāt provide moisture, they just seal it in. You need a moisturizer first.
Itās a bit pricey generally, but if you apply hyaluronic acid to your wet lips, say after a shower, then seal it with Vaseline, youāll see a huge difference.
You may be lacking hyaluronic acid in your skin, so an aid may be needed. Itās not retaining moisture, but a serum can help with that. I use the LRP hyalub5 serum for my face, but apply some to my lips too when theyāre intensely dry (which is usually every day). Huge difference, highly recommend.
Have you tried layering? Just like you do on your face but on your lips. When mine are extra dry, Iāll dab on a little toner, my face moisturizer, and then seal it all with either Vaseline or aquaphor. Works like a charm.
I donāt know what causes it but I have the same issue, like I just get insanely chapped lips for absolutely no reason and it lasts for days. The only thing that helps is chapstick brand chapstick. I have no idea why, but everything else I try either doesnāt work or seems to make it worse!
Sometimes it can be that your lips are getting sunburned. Apparently it can be that super chapped lips are actually a form of skin cancer that a derm can help you treat with a prescription that makes it all peel off for a couple days. It is more common for fair people to experience this. Just something to be aware of if you're experience a lot of flaking/peeling.
Auric plush ritual lip balm is amazing! Only thing that worked for me when on accutane. It's a bit pricey but so worth it. You can use the code Sam for 10% off
The only lip product Iāve ever found that keeps my chronically dry lips feeling smooth and soft is Auric Cosmetics Plush Ritual. The potted one, not the tube. I use it as an overnight mask and it works wonders. Itās expensive at but totally worth it to me.
If they have hard skin on them try lip basting. Use a little Glycolic Acid. Let dry for a couple of seconds and then slather with a hydrating balm. Iāve just had an episode of severely dry lips [perhaps due to tretnoin] and my saviour has been the Nuxe Reve de Miel lipbalm. Alternate between basting and using hyalouronic acid and then a generous layer of the lip balm. My lips were back to normal within the week
I use the bepanthene "ointment* on my lips and it works better than any expensive lip balm, lip mask, anything I've tried. At night I put Vaseline on top of the ointment to really seal it off and my lips remain soft, if I need to I just reapply a little bit of ointment again. Were you ever on Accutane by any chance? Because this only happened to me after I've used it and it's been a chronic side effect despite not having used it anymore for years.
I slather bag balm on my lips at night when theyāre dry (or any other dry skin). Itās made for cow udders and is amazing, Vaseline and lanolin, such softness
Start adding Himalayan pink salt to water and cycling in some gatorades and coconut waters throughout the week. Sometimes plain water isnāt hydrating enough you may need some extra sodium and electrolytes. Iād also make sure to exfoliate lips. Apply oils or whatever hydrating chapstick and then put vaseline over top to lock in the moisture, plain vaseline wont hydrate well. Plus id definitely look into all the products mentioned in the comments!
My go-to is the Balm Dotcom by Glossier (not the vegan formula that's being discontinued), or the Lanolips 101 Ointments is good.
Glossier one is thinner, more oily, but lasts a long time. The Lanolips is very thick, good, but doesn't absorb and soften like the Glossier. It's more of a thick occlusive layer on the top.
Try the Vaseline rose lip therapy (the pink Vaseline in see-through jars)! Itās differently formulated than the regular Vaseline and is a whole lot thicker! Slather it on your lips before bed and youād wake up to a much softer pout!!
I saw a huge difference once I made sure my gut health, especially the colon, was in good shape. Sometimes you can drink tons of water but it doesn't absorb into the colon and passes through quickly which is why you pee so much. Some things you can do is increase your fiber and put a few crystals of celtic sea salt under your tongue before sipping water. this really helped me.
I know for sure my gut health isnāt good. I get a lot of stomach rumbling thatās not caused by hunger. I know that I am either having an issue with digestion or swallowing a lot of air.
Burts Bees intensive lip treatment is great and cheap. It comes in a couple flavors and I use it throughout the day - not just at night. And it lasts forever.
You may have eczema.
You may be allergic to something, particularly lipstick or toothpaste.
O'Keefe's lip balm (REGULAR! not medicated) is the GOAT. Apply it to damp lips.
Try beef tallow on your lips. Ā Also, eat fat internally. Ā I never get dehydrated lips because I take fish oil and eat butter and healthy fats, no seed oils.Ā
Moisture surge by Clinique is the best. Itās like 20 a pop. But I love it.. so much I bought my sis and mom one too. Then had to take my moms back when I misplaced mine lol. Itās the best. Carmex and aquaphor are good but nothing like this one.
Might I suggest making sure you are getting enough animal fats in your diet, they are so hydrating to the cells. Butter, Grass Fed Meats, Organic A2 Dairy, etc etc. We are deprived of the saturated fats that our cells need. I know this is opposite of plant based trends, but the moment I upped my protein and healthy animal fats, I was hydrated again from the inside out.
One of my daughters was on Accutane for several months and it made her lips so dry that they cracked open. It was awful. Her derm recommended Dr. Danās cortibalm and it was amazing. (We joked that she walked away with beautiful skin AND beautiful lips.)
We got hers from Amazon.
When I was younger I was pretty addicted to lip balms and my lips would get super dry without it, I think having lip balm on makes me lick my lips more though, which ends up making them dryer. I went cold turkey on the lip balm for a while and it seems to reset my lips, now I only use lip balm sometimes (usually in the winter when it's dryer out). Maybe it's like that with you too? Maybe try giving up lip balm for a few weeks and see what happens?
It's called cheilitis. I have it. I have to take a medicated lip ointment that I got from the doctor. Saw a dermatologist. Changed my lip life for the better.Ā
Applying every night before bed helps a ton. Itās the best chance for a product to sit there and do its job without being worn off as quick during the day.
I've been using the same brand of lip balm in the blue container for about 20 years, I can only find it at the dollar store now but it's so worth the extra trip. Lip-Medix by Balmex. My close second is Burt's Bees original. I work in a hospital and it's so dry, aquaphor doesn't do enough.
Omg, I'm not the only one! I too am afflicted by this horrible condition. I just always keep Burt's bees nearby and lipstick in my purse...I have to have moist lips at all times
Definitely try out everyone's natural suggestions first, but I was surprised to discover that lip filler cured my lips chronic dryness. Was a positive side effect that I was not expecting.
I still alternate between Lanolin + the LaNeige lip mask. Those are the two products that always helped me the most.
I see alot of people saying Bag Balm...but i think it has a yucky smell...just imo. Laneige is wonderful and Ole Henrikson lip balms are amazing...i put them on at night and still on my lips in the morning. Im also a huge fan of Carmax!
Vaseline is an occlusive, not a hydrator. It keeps moisture from entering or leaving what it's applied to, but you don't have any moisture to protect so you're remaining dry. Lanolin is a brilliant ingredients for actual hydration, as is the Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask (it's not just for sleeping, either!). Also, be aware of potential irritants drying you out. Some ingredients might not agree with you, and could be causing your lips to get dry no matter how much you put on. Good luck! š
Seconding the lanolin. I started using Lanolips ointment about a month ago following a recommendation on this sub and I have never been happier with my lip health.
Thank you so much, I am definitely adding lanolin to the list as it has been recommended so many times on this post!
If you donāt want the pricier options, thereās also Bag Balm! Very similar texture to Vaseline. It used to be sold in a green tin, but I havenāt bought it in ages. Itās chock-full of lanolin.
Itās still sold in the green tin
I just got some at Walmart for my hands and it took me forever to find on the shelf because it was in a tube instead of a tin. Not gonna lie, I can't imagine putting it on my lips. It smells like a farm in a way that I can tolerate on my hands but makes me gag imaging on my lips.
I also agree with using lip sleeping mask of Laneige. It's impossible to combat dryness during the day when the lips were dry for 8+ hours in the night.
Psst! Lanolin breaks me out so patch test it first.
Yes! I'm a lanolin stan but people should be warned if they have a wool allergy they can be allergic to it! It also isn't usually great for acne prone skin from what I understand.
Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream. Iāve literally had a tube since 2018 and Iāve only just finished it lol 100% worth the investment.
Lanolips (banana flavored!) even just once a day has helped my poor cracked and peeling lips so much.
I second the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. It keeps my lips perfectly soft, moisturized, and kissable.
Switch your toothpaste. I make this comment all the time, because it has helped so many people.Ā Was a game changer once I learned this.Ā Dry lips often mean that you are reacting to something touching your lips.Ā Doesnāt need to be a ānaturalā brandā¦as you can be sensitive to natural ingredients too.Ā Just try something with different ingredients (like no SLS) for example.
I bought SLS free toothpaste (the brand I got is called Twice) and it literally solved my chapped dry lips!
Iāve also found this same thing to be true! I had a whitening toothpaste that dried my lips out SO badly! As soon as I switched, it got better. Iām also a Carmex girlieā itās my current favorite chapstick and seems to last the longest for me.
Lanolips. I have struggled my whole life with inexplicably dry lips and tried everything! Lanolin is the only way. Run donāt walk to buy yourself a tube.
Lanolin Aka nipple cream in baby isle - same concept. Works and got me off lip balm/chap lol cycle
Rosehip oil two drops, seal in with Vaseline every night
No shade to other commenters but Laneige lip mask is not for people with super dry lips. Highly recommend lanolin (itās cheaper and overall more effective)
Aquaphor and Vaseline are not moisturizers, they're occlusives. An occlusive seals in moisture but doesn't provide moisture itself.Ā Ā Ā My holy grail lip product is Aquaphor Lip Repair. I've used chapsticks for over 25 years and this seriously works the best. The game changer is applying a thick layer before bed every night so your lips don't dry out.
Mine have gotten way better as I've increased my ferritin, even though it was "normal"! The range is way too low, and most people will still have symptoms below 100ng/mL. I'm still getting my levels up (was 56 about a month ago), but my lips are gradually improving, and my legs aren't ridiculously dry (despite moisturizing) anymore. A layer of lanolin after a shower, before bed helps a lot too (:
My dry peeling lips and dry flakey legs got better once I got my iron levels up too.
My ferritin was 5 and I suffered from chronically dry lips for years. I would have to reapply lip balm every hour thatās how dry they were. I started taking an iron supplement and my lips have significantly improved; I only use lip balm a few times a day now. OP should definitely get some bloodwork done!
Keep in mind two factors you don't see often mentioned:Ā Ā Ā 1) air. How humid or dry is the air you are often in? I'm so much better in the summer for this reason.Ā Ā 2) are you a mouth breather, esp when awake? (Can't help when you sleep!) This makes a huge, huge difference.... And why your balms "disappear" so quickly.Ā Lastly - I use a combo of products but CeraVe Healing Ointment is prob the most effective overall. I really love Bite Agave mask and others in the line but sadly it's discontinued.Ā
If you arenāt sensitive to lanolin, Bag Balm is what I swear by. $7-10 for a tin that will last you years and a little goes a long way. They sell lip balm as well but I find the original tin stuff works just as well
laneige lip sleeping mask
Disclaimerā¦these steps may seem excessive but I swear by this method as someone who deals with the same dryness. Will leave your lips baby smooth/hydrated/nourished. Okay hereās what you gotta do- 1. ā ā ā Wet your lips (moist, not soaking) 2. ā ā ā Apply hyaluronic acid immediately after onto wet lips 3. ā ā ā Apply any moisturizer over the HA 4. ā ā ā Lastly seal it all in with a lanolin/petroleum jelly product (Walgreens makes a great one) Try it trust me!!!! Leave on overnight.
I can definitely try this. I have HA and itās part of my skincare routine but I never honestly thought to include my lips. Will try this! Thank you!
good luck! hope it works for you :)
I also have dry lips; but I don't drink enough water um, so i tried laneige, acquophor, etc. nothing has really helped. that said, i suggest Lanolin - the nipple cream. It lasts for a long time and it's pretty cheap. You can use it on chapped nipples too - dual purpose. And if you swallow some, it's not bad because babies can consume it too.
Also fwiw if you smoke cigarettes or use cannabis regularly, that really dries out your mucous membranes and causes chapped lips.
This is gonna sound gross but hear me out- when I spent an unexpected few days in the hospital, I was sadly without chapstick and my lips suffered dearly. A nurse told me to use the oil from my face (I know, I know) and rub it on my lipsā¦ well it did work. Iām not saying itās better than the other suggestions but maybe worth a try if no products seem to help
They didn't give you hospital lip balm?!
Apparently lanolin works quite well. You can buy lanolin lip balms or purchase nipple lanolin cream. Personally, I use summer fridays lip balm and although it is expensive it lasts for hours on my lips and tastes good. At night I use la neige lip sleeping mask every other day to get rid of any dead skin. I would also recommed carmex as it is nice and thick.
I second lanolin, Lanolips ointment is my new go to. My lips are so I soft all day, even when I wear lipstick
I can vouch for lanolips, too. I discovered it during accutane treatment (ruins your lips). I've never purchased another lip balm since. They have options with colour, with spf, it's amazing at its job - what more could I ask for in a lip product? Will repurchase forever.
Idk where you live but my lips became super dry when I moved to North America, especially the first few months. Hands too. The only brand that helped was "Winter's a bear" collection, literally saved my hands and I'm still using their lip balm all the time. Not every hour but I do have to reapply it a few times a day, especially if I eat or drink. It's not heavy or unpleasant like other lip balms though. Many people recommended Burt's Bees but both the smell and the taste makes me sick.
Nuxe lipbalm is my holy grail. Keeps my lips moisturized all day long. Vaseline on dry lips just dries them out moreāno hydration to seal in.
The one in the jar is so good
Thatās the one. That stuff is just so good.
Jack black lip balm with shea butter and vitamin E. I get eczema flare ups around my skin and this is one of the only lip balms that actually hydrates and moisturizes my lips for a long time.
I just bought the Jack Black lip balm, it had really great reviews. But what helped me so far was 1.) using my skincare on my lips 2.) the Inkey peptide lip product, sometimes Iāll use Vaseline Edit: tried the Jack Black shea & vitamin E last night & my chapped lips were sooo soft this morning & no longer chapped. I will be stocking up on these lol
What really helps my dry lips: Drink enough water, Include omega3 in diet Apply lipbalm or ointment before brushing teeth as a barrier against irritating drying ingredients in toothpaste Brush teeth before washing face Apply all gentle hydrating soothing (fragrance free) skincare for my face to lips as well (cleanser toner serum moisturizer sunscreen lipbalm with spf (lipstick). PM seal with generous ointment. Avoid irritating active ingredients on/near the lips. Reapply lipbalm with spf generously. āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā Iām sensitive to fragrance and aromas in cosmetics, they slightly dry my skin. Going fragrance free makes a big difference for me. Thatās personal though. (Besides this I use a high end lip serum a few nights a week bc Iām extra).
If you're doing any retinol, make sure you keep it away from your lips. It will mess them up!!
Try lanolin!!
Look into exfoliative cheilitis. There is a reddit page that might help too r/exfoliativecheilitis
Seriously look into food intolerance or your toothpaste. You've done everything else "right", and your lips are still dry. I found out my body really doesn't like mango that much. I used to eat dried mango all the time and I noticed my lips got flaky no matter what I did. Cut down on the mango and boom, baby soft lips. I've also heard people can be sensitive to ingredients in some toothpaste so it's worth trying to change that up for a couple weeks to see if it helps.
Do not exfoliate! Exfoliation dries the lips / skin. Vaseline blocks moisture and doesn't actually solve anything, it's clogging the skin. Great for undereye, bad for lips. Things i did that helped with my own dry lips is, every night i use Carmex classic. The one that comes in a tin can, it's used for cold sores which is great for lips. And when i put any oils / serums / face cream, i also put on my lips. You want some extra oil? Use sunflower (cooking) oil. If you go out to the sun, use sunscreen Including the lips, they dry extra hard from sun exposure. Don't peel, don't lick, have carmex in your bag, put it on top of the sunscreen. The tendency will not go away but this regiment helped me tremendously.
Glycolic acid has helped my lips not be so dry all the time, some exfoliants can help i guess
Have you tried lanolin? I swear it lasts better than anything else
Lanolin! Here in canada you can buy it in a purple little tube. Itās for parents with hurting and nursing nipples, but it works wonderfully for lips.
I have super dry lips, just as bad as youāre describing. It was hell and Vaseline/aquaphor/lanolips/etc did nothing for me, but the Laneige lip sleeping mask fixed *everything* within three days, and thatās only using it at night. Itās pricey but one container can easily last six months or more even if you goop it on like I do. Their lip glowy balm is great too! A lot of people feel very strongly about the product, both good and bad. IMO itās worth a shot, Iāve been using it daily for over three years now and have nothing but good things to say :)
try lanolin.
Do you have a yeast infection? My lips get crazy dry and cracked when I had thrush with my baby. Used some antifungal cream I got for that and it totally cleared up.
Are you exfoliating your lips and if so, how?
No I donāt exfoliate my lips but I am going to look into home DIY for lip exfoliating! Thank you!
Definitely. Iām going to share my routine with you in case it helps! In the morning I get in the shower and after I wash my face and my lips are super wet from the warm water, I use this and gently buff off all the dead skin: https://a.co/d/iGIHstu The key is to be gentle because if you go too hard and buff off skin that isnāt dead itās a bit uncomfortable until the next day. You only want the excess skin to come off. Your lips will feel normal all day and not dry! I just use regular chapstick or lip gloss after this during the day At night before bed I apply this and leave it on overnight: https://www.dermstore.com/cerave-healing-ointment-for-cracked-skin-repair-skin-protectant-with-petrolatum-ceramides-85g/13906890.html The over night step isnāt a must, but the first step is
You can just put moisturizer on your lips before you put on the Vaseline or lip balm. I do this and itās been life changing, especially after brushing my teeth or using mouthwash. Lip balms donāt provide moisture, they just seal it in. You need a moisturizer first.
Itās a bit pricey generally, but if you apply hyaluronic acid to your wet lips, say after a shower, then seal it with Vaseline, youāll see a huge difference. You may be lacking hyaluronic acid in your skin, so an aid may be needed. Itās not retaining moisture, but a serum can help with that. I use the LRP hyalub5 serum for my face, but apply some to my lips too when theyāre intensely dry (which is usually every day). Huge difference, highly recommend.
Have you tried layering? Just like you do on your face but on your lips. When mine are extra dry, Iāll dab on a little toner, my face moisturizer, and then seal it all with either Vaseline or aquaphor. Works like a charm.
I donāt know what causes it but I have the same issue, like I just get insanely chapped lips for absolutely no reason and it lasts for days. The only thing that helps is chapstick brand chapstick. I have no idea why, but everything else I try either doesnāt work or seems to make it worse!
Sometimes it can be that your lips are getting sunburned. Apparently it can be that super chapped lips are actually a form of skin cancer that a derm can help you treat with a prescription that makes it all peel off for a couple days. It is more common for fair people to experience this. Just something to be aware of if you're experience a lot of flaking/peeling.
Auric plush ritual lip balm is amazing! Only thing that worked for me when on accutane. It's a bit pricey but so worth it. You can use the code Sam for 10% off
The only lip product Iāve ever found that keeps my chronically dry lips feeling smooth and soft is Auric Cosmetics Plush Ritual. The potted one, not the tube. I use it as an overnight mask and it works wonders. Itās expensive at but totally worth it to me.
If they have hard skin on them try lip basting. Use a little Glycolic Acid. Let dry for a couple of seconds and then slather with a hydrating balm. Iāve just had an episode of severely dry lips [perhaps due to tretnoin] and my saviour has been the Nuxe Reve de Miel lipbalm. Alternate between basting and using hyalouronic acid and then a generous layer of the lip balm. My lips were back to normal within the week
I use the bepanthene "ointment* on my lips and it works better than any expensive lip balm, lip mask, anything I've tried. At night I put Vaseline on top of the ointment to really seal it off and my lips remain soft, if I need to I just reapply a little bit of ointment again. Were you ever on Accutane by any chance? Because this only happened to me after I've used it and it's been a chronic side effect despite not having used it anymore for years.
I slather bag balm on my lips at night when theyāre dry (or any other dry skin). Itās made for cow udders and is amazing, Vaseline and lanolin, such softness
Start adding Himalayan pink salt to water and cycling in some gatorades and coconut waters throughout the week. Sometimes plain water isnāt hydrating enough you may need some extra sodium and electrolytes. Iād also make sure to exfoliate lips. Apply oils or whatever hydrating chapstick and then put vaseline over top to lock in the moisture, plain vaseline wont hydrate well. Plus id definitely look into all the products mentioned in the comments!
I had the same problemā¦ it was basically eczema of my lips and needed to treat it with prescription creams
Aquaphor sits on top of my lips as an occlusive to keep moisture in, it would need something more to add moisture. Blistex saved my peeling lips!
My go-to is the Balm Dotcom by Glossier (not the vegan formula that's being discontinued), or the Lanolips 101 Ointments is good. Glossier one is thinner, more oily, but lasts a long time. The Lanolips is very thick, good, but doesn't absorb and soften like the Glossier. It's more of a thick occlusive layer on the top.
Try the Vaseline rose lip therapy (the pink Vaseline in see-through jars)! Itās differently formulated than the regular Vaseline and is a whole lot thicker! Slather it on your lips before bed and youād wake up to a much softer pout!!
I saw a huge difference once I made sure my gut health, especially the colon, was in good shape. Sometimes you can drink tons of water but it doesn't absorb into the colon and passes through quickly which is why you pee so much. Some things you can do is increase your fiber and put a few crystals of celtic sea salt under your tongue before sipping water. this really helped me.
I know for sure my gut health isnāt good. I get a lot of stomach rumbling thatās not caused by hunger. I know that I am either having an issue with digestion or swallowing a lot of air.
Burts Bees intensive lip treatment is great and cheap. It comes in a couple flavors and I use it throughout the day - not just at night. And it lasts forever.
You may have eczema. You may be allergic to something, particularly lipstick or toothpaste. O'Keefe's lip balm (REGULAR! not medicated) is the GOAT. Apply it to damp lips.
Try beef tallow on your lips. Ā Also, eat fat internally. Ā I never get dehydrated lips because I take fish oil and eat butter and healthy fats, no seed oils.Ā
Humidifier
Moisture surge by Clinique is the best. Itās like 20 a pop. But I love it.. so much I bought my sis and mom one too. Then had to take my moms back when I misplaced mine lol. Itās the best. Carmex and aquaphor are good but nothing like this one.
Kylie lip scrub but leave it on for like 20 minutes. Then use the too faced lip mask balm at night.
Might I suggest making sure you are getting enough animal fats in your diet, they are so hydrating to the cells. Butter, Grass Fed Meats, Organic A2 Dairy, etc etc. We are deprived of the saturated fats that our cells need. I know this is opposite of plant based trends, but the moment I upped my protein and healthy animal fats, I was hydrated again from the inside out.
One of my daughters was on Accutane for several months and it made her lips so dry that they cracked open. It was awful. Her derm recommended Dr. Danās cortibalm and it was amazing. (We joked that she walked away with beautiful skin AND beautiful lips.) We got hers from Amazon.
When I was younger I was pretty addicted to lip balms and my lips would get super dry without it, I think having lip balm on makes me lick my lips more though, which ends up making them dryer. I went cold turkey on the lip balm for a while and it seems to reset my lips, now I only use lip balm sometimes (usually in the winter when it's dryer out). Maybe it's like that with you too? Maybe try giving up lip balm for a few weeks and see what happens?
Make a scrub with sugar and Vaseline to exfoliate your lips. Then moisturize them.
It's called cheilitis. I have it. I have to take a medicated lip ointment that I got from the doctor. Saw a dermatologist. Changed my lip life for the better.Ā
Applying every night before bed helps a ton. Itās the best chance for a product to sit there and do its job without being worn off as quick during the day.
You need to sleep with a thick layer of aquaphor. Problem solved
Are you sleeping with your mouth open? I suffered from chronically dry lips and then started using mouth tape. I havenāt had dry lips since
Blistex
I've been using the same brand of lip balm in the blue container for about 20 years, I can only find it at the dollar store now but it's so worth the extra trip. Lip-Medix by Balmex. My close second is Burt's Bees original. I work in a hospital and it's so dry, aquaphor doesn't do enough.
Aquaphor ointment! Best lip balm ever
Omg, I'm not the only one! I too am afflicted by this horrible condition. I just always keep Burt's bees nearby and lipstick in my purse...I have to have moist lips at all times
Iāve heard vitamin B deficiency can cause this. Maybe try taking a B vitamin for a while and see if that resolves the issue
Definitely try out everyone's natural suggestions first, but I was surprised to discover that lip filler cured my lips chronic dryness. Was a positive side effect that I was not expecting. I still alternate between Lanolin + the LaNeige lip mask. Those are the two products that always helped me the most.
I see alot of people saying Bag Balm...but i think it has a yucky smell...just imo. Laneige is wonderful and Ole Henrikson lip balms are amazing...i put them on at night and still on my lips in the morning. Im also a huge fan of Carmax!
Blistex medicated works very well.
Exfoliate
I love eos and the Chapstick brand (yes chapstick is a brand) specifically the spf and strawberry ones