How to Get Soft Lips

Co-authored by Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD

Last Updated: July 15, 2024 Approved

We all want soft, lustrous lips, but sometimes Mother Nature isn't as keen on handing us moisturized kissing machines on a silver platter. If cold, harsh weather or bad habits are taking a toll on your lips, try implementing some of the suggestions below to improve the overall look and feel of your lips.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying Balms

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1
Wear a moisturizing lip balm, as needed. Use a balm with shea or cocoa butter for the best results. Reapply it only when your lips feel dry.
- If you use lip balm too often, it can make your lips more chapped. ^{[1]
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- Apply lip balm underneath any other lip products that you use, including lipstick, lip gloss, and lip stain.
- Choose the product that sounds most appealing to your condition. Some lip balms are medicated and others contain strong mint extracts that might be irritating to some. Read the label of a lip balm before buying it to ensure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.
- Common lip balm brands include: Burt's Bees, Blistex, Carmex, Chapstick, C.O. Bigelow, Nivea, Softlips, and EOS.
- You can easily find lip balm at Walmart, Target, or at your local pharmacy.
These can be drying or potentially trigger irritation in some sensitive users. Choose lip balms with all-natural ingredients (no chemicals) that are free from unwanted additives. ^{[2]
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3
Wear moisturizing lipstick. Most makeup brands carry a line of moisturizing lip balms, including Clinique, Jouer, Dior, Benefit, Revlon, Bobbi Brown, and Laura Mercier.
- If your style is more drugstore than department store, simply look for lipstick labels that claim to be moisturizing.
- Check the ingredient list for shea or cocoa butter extracts and any type of moisturizing oil such as coconut and/or olive oil. Make sure that the ingredients don't include salicylic acid, which can cause your lips to peel.
Your lips are very susceptible to sunburn and sun damage. Be sure to wear lip protection when going outdoors. ^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Exfoliating and Conditioning Your Lips

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You can really use any coarse food product, but avoid irritants like salt that will actually dry out your lips.
Combine a tablespoon of honey with two teaspoons sugar and one teaspoon olive oil. Rub the mixture on your lips and allow it to sit for several minutes. ^{[4]
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Mix 2 teaspoons coconut oil, 3 drops lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon beeswax into a saucepan and melt it over low heat stirring constantly. You can also use lime juice if you don't have any lemon juice on hand. Pour the mixture into a glass container and allow it to cool and harden. Apply it to your lips as you would a regular lip balm. ^{[5]
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These substances are very deep moisturizers that especially help calm chapped lips. Rinse the product off in the morning.
Let it harden and then rinse thoroughly with water.
Aloe vera is extremely soothing and helps you get rid of harsh damage from the sun. ^{[6]
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The phytochemicals found in cucumbers tighten the collagen in your lips, making them appear plump and hydrated. Massage your lips for several minutes with freshly cut cucumber slices. ^{[7]
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Only use a soft or medium bristled toothbrush to avoid making your lips raw. You can simply use warm water or use the toothbrush to spread an external exfoliant on your lips.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Developing Good Habits

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Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day . One of the best things you can do for your lips, in fact for your skin in general, is to make sure to drink a lot of water. Water not only hydrates your body, it nourishes your skin and promotes new cell growth. In fact, dry lips can be a sign that your body is not getting the amount of water it needs. ^{[8]
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Although it might be counterintuitive, wetting your lips by licking them with saliva actually causes drying. ^{[9]
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If you tend to bite your lips when nervous or without realizing it, try using chewing gum to satisfy an oral fixation. Biting your lips causes cracking and can create open sores that may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Foods that contain vitamins B and C are especially good for your skin. Consider taking a supplement if your diet lacks these vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids are also extremely good for your skin and can be found in foods like fish, avocado, and almonds. You can also take a daily Omega-3 supplement.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you get dead skin off your lips?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

There are two effective methods. One is making a simple scrub with oil and sugar and rubbing it gently or the lips. The other is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently slough off dead skin.

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Question

How do I make my lips soft?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Drink plenty of water and apply a thin layer of coconut oil before going to bed at night. You should also wear a lip balm during the day if they feel dry. If you'll be out in the sun, select one with SPF.

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Question

How do you get your lips unchapped?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Chapped lips are dry. To fix the problem you'll need to hydrate your lips with an emollient product that helps trap your natural moisture. You can also exfoliate gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove the flaking skin.

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Tips

Makeup, including lipstick, dries out your lips. Wearing less makeup on your lips will help you avoid dryness. Alternatively, you could wear moisturizing lipsticks.

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Give your lips time to breathe by periodically taking a break from lip products.

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If you are exfoliating every day, this is too much. Lip skin is very delicate and chaps easily. Cut back to exfoliating less often.

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Warnings

Do not brush your lips too hard, or they will become raw and sore.

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Don't share your lip balm, as it can spread germs.

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Throw out lip balms that you've had for one year or longer. They can store bacteria.

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Matte lipsticks dry out your lips more than other lip products.

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Don't use cheap balms with flavors, because they will make your lips dry and you might be tempted to lick it off.

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Try not to lick your lips as the saliva will make them dry.

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How to Get Soft Lips

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Applying Balms

Exfoliating and Conditioning Your Lips

Developing Good Habits

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