It’s winter here in the windy city, and nothing Chapped Lips faster than biting temperatures and cold wind. With the most romantic day of the year just days away, having smooth, kissable lips is on everyone’s wish list.
At SkinMD with multiple locations in the Greater Chicago area, our experienced skin experts understand the irritation and frustration chapped lips bring. We offer a full line of medical and cosmetic skincare services to help you look and feel your best.
To help you heal your chapped lips quickly and effectively, our team curated this simple guide. Read on to discover our five expert-backed tips for healing chapped lips!
1. Gently exfoliate chapped lips
When your lips are chapped, they’re covered in a layer of dry, dead skin. Help them heal by gently exfoliating your lips to remove the dead skin cells. This helps healing ointments and balms reach the new skin and prevents further flaking.
You can buy lip scrubs at your local drug store, or make your own using one tablespoon of salt or sugar mixed with one tablespoon of oil or honey. Apply the scrub using a cotton swab, then gently wipe it away with a damp cloth. Always follow up with a hydrating lip balm to lock in moisture and protect the new skin.
2. Avoid balms, ointments, and lip products that contain irritants
Unfortunately, many lip products contain chemicals that actually dry out your lips. When your lips are actively chapped, it’s especially important to read labels carefully and avoid balms, ointments, and other lip products that contain irritants, including:
- Fragrance
- Menthol
- Salicylic acid
- Eucalyptus
- Alcohol
- Dyes
- Flavorings, especially cinnamon, mint, and citrus
- Camphor
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
Be sure not to mistake the burning, stinging, or tingling these products may trigger as a sign that they are working to heal your lips.
3. Use products with healing ingredients for actively chapped lips
Just as some lip products contain ingredients that harm, others have ingredients that help actively chapped lips heal. In addition to the ingredients listed below, be sure any lip products you use on chapped lips are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic for the best results.
We recommend looking for lip products that contain one or more of the following ingredients:
- Coconut oil
- Hemp seed oil
- Aloe vera
- Mineral oil
- Shea butter
- White petroleum jelly
- Ceramides
- Dimethicone
- Petrolatum
- Avocado butter
- Honey
It’s also a good idea to use a lip balm that has SPF protection when spending time outdoors. Even in the winter, your lips can burn in the sun. And burned, dry lips chap more easily.
4. Stay hydrated
Dry winter air—indoors and out—zaps moisture from your skin, and your lips are no exception. Whether you’re braving Chicago’s icy winds or enjoying cozy indoor heating, your lips need extra hydration to stay healthy.
To counteract winter dryness:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day
Use a humidifier at home or at your desk
Apply a nourishing lip balm frequently, especially before bed
Staying hydrated from the inside out helps prevent future chapping and supports long-term lip health.
5. Don’t lick, pick, or bite your lips
When your lips are dry and chapped, it’s natural to try to moisten them by licking your lips. Unfortunately, this actually makes chapped lips worse since your lips become drier when your saliva evaporates. What’s more? Biting or picking at the flaking skin creates added irritation, which prevents your lips from healing.
When you catch yourself doing it, stop and apply a healing balm instead. Over time, you’ll train yourself to reach for protection instead of reacting with irritation, helping your lips heal faster and stay smoother longer.
Interested in learning more about protecting your skin?
SkinMD is a full-service dermatology practice with four convenient locations in Chicago, Orland Park and Evergreen Park, Illinois, meaning excellent skincare is always close. To schedule a consultation with our compassionate care team, contact the office most convenient to you, or request an appointment online now!
