Every person on the planet has wrestled with at least one skin condition at some point, regardless of their age, background, or complexion—and chapped lips might just be the most universally familiar of them all. Geography and climate play less of a role than you'd imagine: you could be soaking up rays in Southern California and still deal with a perpetually dried-out pout, though bone-chilling East Coast winters definitely don't make life any easier. The silver lining? Treating chapped lips is straightforward once you've got the right products in your arsenal. Ahead, two top dermatologists share the full scoop on why lips chap—and how to finally get yours smooth.
What Exactly Are Chapped Lips?
Dr. Shari Marchbein, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City, describes the condition as peeling, splitting, and cracking of the lip skin—often painful enough to draw blood. She also points out that the lips and the skin framing them can look visibly raw and inflamed, with these symptoms cropping up for a wide range of reasons.
What Causes Chapped Lips?
On top of harsh cold, biting winds, and dry air, other habits and exposures can spark or worsen chapped lips—think obsessive lip-licking, frequent sun exposure without SPF, and skincare or makeup products packed with harsh, irritating ingredients. When it comes to that last category, Dr. Sejal Shah—dermatologist and founder of Smarter Skin Dermatology—warns that most matte lipsticks, lip-plumping treatments, and anything with vitamin A can rob your lips of moisture and make a bad situation worse. "The lips lack oil glands, which sets them up for chronic dryness and chapping," Dr. Shah explains.
When to See a Dermatologist
Of course, your dermatologist is always available for any skincare question—and you should absolutely reach out when something feels off—but mild, consistent at-home care typically resolves chapped lips just fine. Still, if you don't see improvement within a few days, or worse, notice any oddly-colored crusting (think yellow or green), Dr. Marchbein urges scheduling a visit ASAP to identify the underlying cause. "This helps rule out uncommon triggers like nutritional deficiencies, yeast or fungal infections, lip dermatitis, or reactions to medications, just to name a few," she adds.
How to Treat Chapped Lips
Dr. Marchbein warns against lip products formulated with artificial fragrance or harsh chemicals, which can aggravate irritation and trap your lips in a never-ending chapping cycle. Her go-to recommendation? Thick, occlusive emollient balms. The Whamisa Organic Flowers Lip Moisture fits the bill beautifully—it's loaded with skin-nourishing ingredients like avocado butter and grapeseed oil.
Going matte doesn't have to mean going bare, though. February's Glow Gamechanger, the J.One Haart Mermaid Glow Color Lip Tint, is essentially a lip treatment wearing makeup's clothing. It contains lip-conditioning sweet almond oil, squalene, and organic beeswax, and leaves behind a sheer wash of color. Available in flattering peach and rosy pink shades, it gives lips a plush, pillowy finish with a fresh, dewy flush.
Dr. Marchbein stresses the value of layering these treatments on generously throughout the day—and once more before bed—to actually see results. A couple of bonus tips to keep lips soft: run a humidifier in your bedroom to pump moisture into the air, and stay hydrated with plenty of water plus a nutrient-rich diet that supports overall skin health.
Follow these guidelines and your lips will be so soft and supple, they'd be at home in any lipstick commercial.
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