How to Get Rid of Chapped Lips Without Lip Balm

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If your lips are chapped, you may want to avoid the artificial ingredients in certain lip balms, and with good reason. The fragrances, artificial colors, and soothing agents they contain can irritate your lips and make them worse. [1] Or maybe you don’t have any lip balm around and want relief without running to the store. Never fear! You can soothe and heal your lips naturally by avoiding irritants, taking simple measures to keep them protected, and applying natural moisturizers and soothing agents.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Avoiding Irritants

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  1. Licking your lips does temporarily add moisture, but at a cost. Your saliva will irritate your lips, while constant licking will also remove the natural oils that protect them and hold in moisture.
  2. The more you breathe through your mouth, the drier your lips will become. This means that if you have a cold as well as chapped lips, a decongestant can do wonders for both.
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  3. Instead, soften them with emollient oils, such as coconut oil or almond oil, and let them fall off naturally. Pulling them off too early will expose raw, painful skin. [2]
  4. All of the above can further irritate your already damaged lips. They can also make the skin barrier on your lips weaker, making them more prone to dryness and damage. [3] In particular, be sure to avoid:
    • Citrus like grapefruit or orange juice
    • Nuts and heavily salted, sweetened or caramel popcorn
    • Hot wings or salsa
  5. Flavors like spearmint and peppermint, as well as ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), can cause allergic reactions that aggravate already irritated skin. [4] Check here for a list of SLS-free toothpastes: http://slsfree.net/sls-free-toothpaste/ .
  6. Sun and wind are the 2 main causes of chapped lips. If your lips are damaged, more sunshine will only make them worse. [5] Normal sunscreen is not recommended for chapped lips, as it may irritate them, but lipsticks and balms with SPF are safe. [6] However, if you’re trying to avoid balms altogether, minimize your time in the sun.
    • You can also protect your lips by wearing a hat with a wide brim to help shade your face, or covering your lips with a scarf when it’s cold out.
  7. Windy, dry, or cold weather can quickly dry out and crack your lips. You’ll want to stay indoors as much as possible to give your lips a chance to heal. [7]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Applying Natural Moisturizers and Healing Agents

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  1. These are the 2 main treatments suggested by the National Institute of Health. [8] Beeswax contains propolis, which is an anti-inflammatory that aids in healing. [9] Petroleum jelly is an emollient (skin softener) that moisturizes and protects lips.
  2. Cucumber has been shown to be a very effective moisturizer due to its high water content. [10] It also soothes skin and reduces inflammation. [11] Try putting a slice of fresh cucumber on your lips for a few minutes for relief from soreness and discomfort.
    • Alternately, you can apply cucumber juice to your lips several times a day, or freeze cucumber juice into an ice cube and rub it on your lips. [12]
  3. Both are emollients that keep your skin soft, moist, and flexible. Almond oil also has anti-inflammatory properties. [13] In addition, coconut promotes healing, reduces the risk of infection, and reduces pain, making it a great treatment for chapped lips. [14] Gently massage almond oil or coconut oil over your lips to soften and moisturize them.
    • Other oils used to treat chapped lips are olive oil, jojoba oil, canola, and mustard oil. All have moisturizing and protective properties, though their healing properties are not as pronounced as almond and coconut oil.
    • Coconut oil is typically solid at room temperature. Rub a little bit of the oil between your fingers to warm it up and soften it before putting it on your lips.
  4. Both have emollient and anti-inflammatory properties. They will trap moisture and protect your lips. [15] Shea butter also contains antioxidants that will help prevent further damage to your lips from the sun. [16]
  5. The fat content of milk cream makes it effective at moisturizing your lips, though it does not have the same anti-inflammatory and healing properties as some oils and plant butters. Still, if you don’t have the right oils or butters to hand, this traditional home remedy may help. Let it sit on your lips for 10 minutes, then wash it off with lukewarm water. [17]
    • You can also try mixing the cream with mashed rose petals for a boost of fresh scent and soothing moisture.
  6. 6
    Use regular cooking oil if nothing else is available. Just about any oil can help lock in moisture and soothe chapped lips. If you don’t have shea butter or coconut oil on hand, grab another common household oil, such as olive oil, sunflower seed oil, or grapeseed oil. Rub a thin layer of the oil over your lips.
    • You can even use butter or margarine if nothing else is available.
  7. You can purchase pure aloe vera gel at a store, or buy an aloe vera plant, break off a leaf, and squeeze some out. Aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory that also promotes skin healing. [18] However, some people experience irritation or rashes when they use aloe, so be cautious and stop using it if it makes your lips feel worse. [19]
  8. When taken together, vitamins E and C help promote healing of damaged skin, particularly if your lips are chapped due to sunburn. Talk to your doctor about trying a supplement or topical cream that contains vitamin C and vitamin E. [20]
    • Some beauty sites suggest applying vitamin E oil directly to your lips, but some doctors warn that vitamin E can irritate chapped lips. [21]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Taking Steps to Protect Your Lips

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  1. Keeping your room moist will help to prevent your lips from drying out any further. This is especially important when your air conditioning or heat are running a lot, as both may dry out the air in the room where you sleep. [22]
  2. Dehydration is one of the main causes of chapped lips. This is particularly true in the winter, when the air is dry and many people drink less water. If your lips are chapped, try to drink at 8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. [23]
  3. Or if you do use it, make sure it is moisturizing. Alternately, rub a moisturizing and protective oil on your lips before applying lip stick. [24] Or try a lip balm that contains an SPF of at least 15.
    • Long-wear and matte lipsticks can be especially drying. Stick to creamy, moisturizing formulas instead.
  4. The wind can cause chapped lips, and it can aggravate already chapped lips by stripping them of moisture. Putting a scarf over your mouth when outside gives your lips a chance to heal.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I use beeswax on my lips?
    Shara Strand
    Makeup Artist
    Shara Strand is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Shara Makeup Studio, a makeup and image consulting studio based in New York City. She has over 15 years of image and makeup consulting experience including working as a regional artist for Bare Escentuals and Estee Lauder, Saks 5th Avenue, Bloomingdales, and Bergdorf Goodman. Her work has been featured in WNBC, Fox 5, Direct TV ABC morning news, and Hamptons Magazine. She is the creator of Shara Cosmetics and is a two time Billboard charted singer. She holds a BFA from New York University.
    Shara Strand
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    Expert Answer
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  • Question
    I can't stay indoors because I have school and it is summer, but I don't want to wear a scarf. How can I protect my lips?
    Carlotta Butler, RN, MPH
    Registered Nurse
    Carlotta Butler is a Registered Nurse in Arizona. Carlotta is a member of the American Medical Writers Association. She received her Masters of Public Health from the Northern Illinois University in 2004 and her Masters in Nursing from the University of St. Francis in 2017.
    Carlotta Butler, RN, MPH
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    To protect your lips in the summer, use a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15. Try Blistex products.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do I protect my lips year-round?
    Carlotta Butler, RN, MPH
    Registered Nurse
    Carlotta Butler is a Registered Nurse in Arizona. Carlotta is a member of the American Medical Writers Association. She received her Masters of Public Health from the Northern Illinois University in 2004 and her Masters in Nursing from the University of St. Francis in 2017.
    Carlotta Butler, RN, MPH
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    Protect your lips as much as possible in all temperatures. Before going out in cold or dry weather, apply lip balm or some other kind of lubricant such as vaseline. In summer use a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15. Follow other advice offered in this article such as staying hydrated and avoid licking your lips.
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      Tips

      • You can also apply lip balm before going to sleep so that you will wake up with smooth lips.
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      • Put some Vaseline on before you shower and steam your lips to keep them smooth.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.swedishcovenant.org/for-patients-and-visitors/about-swedish-hospital/in-the-news/news-details/2014/05/08/lip-balm-6-ingredients-to-look-for-6-ingredients-to-avoid
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-tips-to-protect-your-lips-from-the-cold/
      3. ↑ https://www.dermatologymohsinstitute.com/blog/avoid-dry-chapped-lips-with-these-4-tips
      4. ↑ https://dermnetnz.org/topics/contact-reactions-to-toothpaste-and-other-oral-hygiene-products
      5. ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002036.htm
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/five-place-youre-probably-forgetting-to-put-sunscreen/
      7. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-tips-to-protect-your-lips-from-the-cold/
      8. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002036.htm
      9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/390.html
      1. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2992143/
      2. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23098877/
      3. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.in/beauty/news/a10041/5-simple-diy-treatments-your-lips-will-absolutely-love
      4. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20129403/
      5. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19134433/
      6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4145303/
      7. ↑ http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajls.20140205.18.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.iamcountryside.com/self-reliance/home-remedies-chapped-lips/
      9. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3611630/
      10. ↑ https://dermnetnz.org/topics/aloe-vera-and-the-skin
      11. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/
      12. ↑ https://www.swedishcovenant.org/for-patients-and-visitors/about-swedish-hospital/in-the-news/news-details/2014/05/08/lip-balm-6-ingredients-to-look-for-6-ingredients-to-avoid
      13. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-tips-to-protect-your-lips-from-the-cold/
      14. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
      15. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/put-down-lip-balm-doctor-approved-list-chapped-lips-do-t69466

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get rid of chapped lips without lip balm, rub petroleum jelly or beeswax on your lips. You can also use almond oil or coconut oil instead of lip balm. If you have time, try putting a slice of cucumber on your lips! Just hold a slice on your lips or rub cucumber juice on them for 5 minutes at a time, several times a day. Finally, be sure to drink at least 10 8-ounce cups of water or other fluids every day, since dehydration is one of the main causes of chapped lips. For more from our Medical reviewer on getting rid of chapped lips, including by taking vitamins, keep reading!

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      • Bob Jackson

        Jan 5, 2017

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