Exposure to wind, sun or cold or dry air can cause chapped lips. Dehydration and frequent lip licking can also cause or aggravate this uncomfortable condition. Though licking your lips can provide temporary relief for lips that feel dry or chapped, the eventual evaporation of your saliva will dry the lips out even more. Your lips might even crack or bleed if severely chapped. Fortunately, you can treat chapped lips at home with a few simple steps.
Step 1
Apply petroleum jelly liberally to your lips to moisturize them. Keep the thick jelly on your lips for about 30 minutes to allow them to absorb the moisture.
Step 2
Wipe off excess petroleum jelly and then use a warm, damp cloth to gently exfoliate the dry skin on your lips. Do not peel skin off of your lips forcefully.
Step 3
Cover your lips again with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. This thin layer should feel comfortable enough to allow you to leave it on for an extended period of time, as you would lip balm.
Step 4
Apply hydrocortisone cream sparingly to the most severely chapped parts of your lips. This over-the-counter topical ointment can provide temporary relief for chapped lips. Apply this cream after you eat your last meal of the day.
Tips and Warnings
- Drink plenty of water to remain hydrated. Wear lip balm that contains sunscreen to protect your lips from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Avoid flavored lip balms that might irritate your lips, and choose all-natural lip balms with beeswax or vitamin E instead. Avoid picking at or peeling chapped lips.
Things You'll Need
- Petroleum jelly
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Cloth
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