Chapped Lips: Common Causes, Soothing Ingredients and When to Seek Advice
Dry air, sun exposure and irritating products can all contribute to chapped lips. Learn what may help protect the skin and when persistent symptoms merit advice.
Persistent chapping can be a sign that lip care needs more than another layer of balm. Cold or dry air, sun exposure, irritating products and habits such as lip licking can all play a part. A board-certified dermatologist, Peterson Pierre, M.D., says reducing possible irritants and protecting the lips’ outer skin barrier are central to care.
There isn’t one fix that works for every cause. A balm may help ease dryness, but recurring or painful symptoms can continue if an irritating product, medication or skin condition is involved. Paying attention to when the problem began and what touches the lips can help identify what might be contributing.
Why lips become dry and sore
Cold weather and low humidity can leave lips feeling dry, while excessive sun exposure can burn them. Products used on the face may also reach the lips and irritate them. Some lip products contain ingredients that cause irritation for certain people, and frequent licking can worsen dryness: saliva evaporates, leaving the lips feeling drier.
Other possible contributors include dehydration, medication, vitamin deficiencies and eczema. These causes call for different considerations, so the appearance of chapped lips alone doesn’t identify the reason. If dryness keeps returning, it may be useful to consider whether symptoms followed a change in skincare, lip products, medication or environment.
Start by checking for irritants
When chapping appears, Dr. Pierre recommends removing potentially irritating products from the routine. That may include strong skincare ingredients such as retinol or retinoids, as well as harsh exfoliants that can migrate onto the lips. A product that feels cool or smells pleasant can still irritate sensitive skin.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) lists several ingredients that may irritate chapped lips. These include camphor, eucalyptus, fragrance, lanolin, menthol, phenol (or phenyl), propyl gallate and salicylic acid. Flavors such as cinnamon, citrus, mint and peppermint can also be a problem for some people. Octinoxate and oxybenzone are on the list as well.
Checking labels can help narrow down possible triggers, particularly when a lip product or face-care routine has recently changed. An ingredient’s presence doesn’t prove it’s causing symptoms, and individual reactions differ. If it’s unclear which product is responsible, a doctor or pharmacist can help review products and medications in context.
Choose products that protect moisture
Once potential irritants are out of the routine, the aim is to soothe the skin and reduce moisture loss. Dr. Pierre describes using hyaluronic acid to restore hydration, followed by a moisturizer to help seal it in. He points to ceramides, shea butter and petroleum jelly as options. The AAD also recommends looking for ingredients such as castor seed oil, dimethicone, hemp seed oil, mineral oil, petrolatum and white petroleum jelly.
There’s no need to treat a long ingredient list as a sign that a balm will work better. The practical question is whether the product feels comfortable and avoids ingredients that seem to aggravate symptoms. If a balm stings or makes irritation worse, stop and consider another option with a pharmacist or doctor, especially if symptoms persist.
Sun protection matters because lips can be sunburned. Dr. Pierre recommends a zinc-based sunscreen for the lips or a lip balm with SPF. The AAD’s list of helpful balm ingredients includes UV-filtering ingredients such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide. A product that combines sun protection with a moisturizing ingredient may help address both exposure and dryness when spending time outdoors.
Reduce the chances of a repeat
The AAD advises applying a non-irritating lip balm regularly during the day and before bed. It also suggests drinking plenty of water, avoiding licking, biting or picking at the lips, and using a humidifier during cold or dry months. These steps address common sources of dryness and friction, though they may not resolve chapping caused by an underlying condition or medication.
Picking at flakes can worsen irritation and make lips sore. Licking may feel briefly soothing, but it can leave them drier as saliva evaporates. A comfortable balm can serve as a reminder to leave the skin alone while it settles. In dry indoor air, a humidifier may help add moisture to the environment.
If chapping is persistent, painful or keeps returning despite avoiding likely irritants and protecting the lips, consider speaking with a doctor or pharmacist. They can help assess whether a medication, eczema, a deficiency or another cause may be involved. The useful takeaway is to look for triggers, keep the routine gentle and protect lips from both dry air and sun.
Meet the expert: Peterson Pierre, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at the Pierre Skin Care Institute.
Related reading: lip balm guide, skincare products, salicylic acid and lip balms with SPF.
Stephanie Kasulka is an associate editor on the Hype Team, where she produces video, social media, and written content across the Enthusiast Group’s brands. She recently graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in journalism. Outside the office, she enjoys thrifting and arts and crafts.
Madeleine, Prevention’s assistant editor, has a background in health writing and studied biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience at the University of Michigan.
