Overview
Chapped lips, typically caused by lack of moisture on the mouth, aren’t merely a cosmetic issue. When you can’t smile or eat without feeling stinging and burning, you might begin to look for a soothing fix and some possible steps to prevent the problem from coming back. The good news is, there are many remedies and preemptive steps to try out.
Prevention
Since chapped lips are primarily the result of reduced moisture on the mouth, do everything you can to not lick your lips. Because saliva rapidly evaporates, the lips will only remain moistened for a brief moment, then become drier than before. Avoiding dry air and wind by covering your face with a scarf or avoiding going outside in dry weather is another way to reduce instances of chapped lips. Moreover, breathing through your mouth rather than through your nostrils can cause lips to become chapped. Although some mouth breathing isn’t avoidable (such as when your nose is stuffed), try to focus on your style of breathing and close your mouth if you are able to breathe clearly through your nose.
Appropriate Lip Balms
The Mayo Clinic recommends using a lubricating lip cream or balm that is oil-based, such as one that contains beeswax. It also recommends purchasing one that contains sunscreen in order to reduce sun damage. All Womens Talk recommends avoiding any lip product that contains alcohol or petroleum products, since they can cause the lips to dry further; a rule of thumb is to use only products that you could feasibly eat without becoming ill.
Dietary Guidelines
Drinking water to stay hydrated is one of the best ways to keep your skin and lips moisturized; aim to drink enough water so that your urine is only light yellow or clear. Typically, this amounts to about half of your body weight in ounces. (Translated: If you weigh 120 lbs., drink 60 oz. of water.) If your lips are already chapped, avoid eating foods that contain a lot of salt or spice, or you risk experiencing unnecessary discomfort.
Home Remedies
Store-bought lip balm isn’t the only way to soothe chapped lips. You may already have items in your home that would work just as well, if not better. Moisturize your lips with coconut oil or aloe vera for extra moisture and rub some sliced cucumber on your mouth for extra soothing.
Treating Underlying Causes
Chronically chapped lips can be a symptom of an underlying condition. For example, according to Dermadoctor, periodontal disease, abscesses, and food or toothpaste allergies can cause lips to become chapped. By getting routine checkups and assessing times when you are susceptible to chapped lips (e.g., on days when you’ve eaten an orange), you might be able to address the root of the problem.
